Exodus 13:17

Good News Translation

When the king of Egypt let the people go, God did not take them by the road that goes up the coast to Philistia, although it was the shortest way. God thought, "I do not want the people to change their minds and return to Egypt when they see that they are going to have to fight."

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
It happened, when Par`oh had let the people go, that God didn't lead them by the way of the land of the Pelishtim, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Mitzrayim;"

King James Version
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

Lexham English Bible
And when Pharaoh released the people, God did not lead them the way of the land of the Philistines, though it was nearer, because God said, "Lest the people change their mind when they see war and return to Egypt."

New Century Version
When the king sent the people out of Egypt, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was the shortest way. God said, "If they have to fight, they might change their minds and go back to Egypt."

New English Translation
When Pharaoh released the people, God did not lead them by the way to the land of the Philistines, although that was nearby, for God said, "Lest the people change their minds and return to Egypt when they experience war."

Amplified Bible
So it happened, when Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearer; for God said, "The people might change their minds when they see war [that is, that there will be war], and return to Egypt."

New American Standard Bible
Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, "The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt."

Geneva Bible (1587)
Nowe when Pharaoh had let the people go, God caried them not by the way of the Philistims countrey, though it were neerer: (for God sayd, Lest the people repent whe they see warre, and turne againe to Egypt)

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not guide them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, "Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt."

Contemporary English Version
After the king had finally let the people go, the Lord did not lead them through Philistine territory, though that was the shortest way. God had said, "If they are attacked, they may decide to return to Egypt."

Complete Jewish Bible
This will serve as a sign on your hand and at the front of a headband around your forehead that with a strong hand Adonai brought us out of Egypt." Haftarah Bo: Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 46:13–28 B'rit Hadashah suggested readings for Parashah Bo: Luke 2:22–24; Yochanan (John) 19:31–37; Acts 13:16 –17; Revelation 8:6–9:12; 16:1–21 After Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not guide them to the highway that goes through the land of the P'lishtim, because it was close by — God thought that the people, upon seeing war, might change their minds and return to Egypt.

Darby Translation
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh let the people go, that God did not lead them the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, That the people may not repent when they see conflict, and return to Egypt.

Easy-to-Read Version
Pharaoh made the people leave Egypt. God did not let the people take the road leading to the land of the Philistines. That road by the Mediterranean Sea is the shortest way, but God said, "If the people go that way they will have to fight. Then they might change their minds and go back to Egypt."

English Standard Version
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, "Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt."

George Lamsa Translation
land it came to pass when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest the people be afraid when they see war, and return to Egypt:

Christian Standard Bible®
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road to the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearby; for God said, “The people will change their minds and return to Egypt if they face war.”

Literal Translation
And it happened, in Pharaoh's sending away the people, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, though it was near. For God said, Lest the people repent when they see war, and return to Egypt.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Now whan Pharao had let ye people go, God led them not the waye thorow the lode of the Philistynes, which was ye nexte: for he thoughte: The people might repet, wha they se warre, and so turne in agayne into Egipte.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

Bible in Basic English
Now after Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not take them through the land of the Philistines, though that was near: for God said, If the people see war, they may have a change of heart and go back to Egypt.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
It came to passe, that when Pharao had let the people go, God caryed them not through the way of the lande of the Philistines, which was the more nygh way. But God saide: lest peraduenture the people repent whe they see warre, and so turne agayne to Egypt.

JPS Old Testament (1917)
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said: 'Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt.'

King James Version (1611)
And it came to passe when Pharaoh had let the people goe, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was neere: For God saide, Lest peraduenture the people repent when they see warre, and they returne to Egypt:

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And when Pharao sent forth the people, God led them not by the way of the land of the Phylistines, because it was near; for God said, Lest at any time the people repent when they see war, and return to Egypt.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

Berean Standard Bible
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road through the land of the Philistines, though it was shorter. For God said, "If the people face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt."

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor whanne Farao hadde sent out the puple, God ledde not hem out bi the weie of `the lond of Filisteis, which is niy; and arettid lest perauenture it wolde repente the puple, if he had seyn batelis rise ayens hym, and `the puple wolde turn ayen in to Egipt;

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass in Pharaoh's sending the people away, that God hath not led them the way of the land of the Philistines, for it [is] near; for God said, `Lest the people repent in their seeing war, and have turned back towards Egypt;'

Update Bible Version
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God didn't lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Or else perhaps the people will repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not [through] the way of the land of the Philistines, although that [was] near, for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt.

World English Bible
It happened, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God didn't lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt;"

New King James Version
Exodus 40:34-38; Numbers 9:15-23; 1 Kings 8:10,11">[xr] Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt."

New Living Translation
When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, "If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt."

New Life Bible
When Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even when that was nearer. For God said, "The people may change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt."

New Revised Standard
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer; for God thought, "If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt."

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And it came to pass when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead by the land-way of the Philistines, although it was near, - for God said - Lest the people be dismayed when they see war and turn back to Egypt.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when Pharao had sent out the people, the Lord led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, which is near; thinking lest perhaps they would repent, if they should see wars arise against them, and would return into Egypt.

Revised Standard Version
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest the people repent when they see war, and return to Egypt."

THE MESSAGE
It so happened that after Pharaoh released the people, God didn't lead them by the road through the land of the Philistines, which was the shortest route, for God thought, "If the people encounter war, they'll change their minds and go back to Egypt."

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, "The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt."

Contextual Overview

¹⁷ When the king of Egypt let the people go, God did not take them by the road that goes up the coast to Philistia, although it was the shortest way. God thought, "I do not want the people to change their minds and return to Egypt when they see that they are going to have to fight." ¹⁸ Instead, he led them in a roundabout way through the desert toward the Red Sea. The Israelites were armed for battle. ¹⁹ Moses took the body of Joseph with him, as Joseph had made the Israelites solemnly promise to do. Joseph had said, "When God rescues you, you must carry my body with you from this place." ²⁰ The Israelites left Sukkoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. ²¹ During the day the Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud to show them the way, and during the night he went in front of them in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel night and day. ²² The pillar of cloud was always in front of the people during the day, and the pillar of fire at night.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the people repent: Exodus 14:11, Exodus 14:12, Numbers 14:1-4, Deuteronomy 20:8, Judges 7:3, 1 Kings 8:47, Luke 14:27-32, Acts 15:38

return: Exodus 16:2, Exodus 16:3, Deuteronomy 17:16, Nehemiah 9:17, Acts 7:39

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:32 - the Philistines Exodus 3:18 - three days' Exodus 14:2 - that they Psalms 136:11 - brought out Ezekiel 20:10 - General 1 Corinthians 1:25 - the foolishness Hebrews 11:27 - he forsook

Cross-References

Genesis 13:15
I am going to give you and your descendants all the land that you see, and it will be yours forever.

Genesis 13:17
Now, go and look over the whole land, because I am going to give it all to you."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go,.... Gave them leave to depart out of Egypt, and even urged them to be gone in haste upon the death of his firstborn:

that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; the land of the Philistines was the Pentapolis, or five cities of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath, which lay between Egypt and Canaan; and their way through it to Canaan, out of Egypt, was the nearest they could go; and was, as Aben Ezra says, about ten days' journey; but Philo the Jew says l it was but three days' journey; and it seems, by the sons of Jacob going to and fro for corn, that it was no very long journey:

for God said: within himself, or he declared the following reason of so doing to Moses:

lest peradventure the people repent: which is said not as ignorant or doubtful, but, as Aben Ezra says, after the manner of men:

when they see war: the Philistines coming out against them to hinder their passage through their country; they being a warlike people, bold and courageous, and the Israelites, through their long servitude, of a mean, timorous, and cowardly disposition; and indeed as yet unarmed, and so very unfit to engage in war, and therefore would at once be intimidated:

and they return to Egypt; judging it more eligible to continue in their former bondage, than to fall a prey into the hands of such fierce and cruel enemies. This is the only reason mentioned for not leading them this way; but there were other secret reasons for it, which afterwards opened in Providence, as the doing that wonderful work for them, leading them through the Red sea as on dry land, and the destruction of Pharaoh and his host in it; and by being brought into a wilderness, a solitude, they would be in the fittest place to receive and attend to the body of laws given them, and where they were formed into a commonwealth and church state, previous to their entrance into, and possession of, the land of Canaan; and here also they were humbled, tried and proved, and had such instances of the power and goodness of God to them, as were sufficient to attach them to his service, and lay them under the greatest obligation to him, as well as would be of use to strengthen their faith and hope in him in future times of difficulty and distress.

l De Vita Mosis, l. 1. p. 627.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Exodus 13:17. God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, c. — Had the Israelites been obliged to commence their journey to the promised land by a military campaign, there is little room to doubt that they would have been discouraged, have rebelled against Moses and Aaron, and have returned back to Egypt. Their long slavery had so degraded their minds that they were incapable of any great or noble exertions and it is only on the ground of this mental degradation, the infallible consequence of slavery, that we can account for their many dastardly acts, murmurings, and repinings after their escape from Egypt. The reader is requested to bear this in mind, as it will serve to elucidate several circumstances in the ensuing history. Besides, the Israelites were in all probability unarmed, and totally unequipped for battle, encumbered with their flocks, and certain culinary utensils. which they were obliged to carry with them in the wilderness to provide them with bread, &c.