Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 14:6
And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:
6. made ready ] Heb. bound, i.e. attached to the horses (Gen 46:29 al.).
chariot ] marg. ‘Or, chariots.’ The Heb. word may be used either of in individual chariot (2Ki 9:21; 2Ki 9:24), or collectively ( vv. 7, 9, 17, &c.). Here, however, the Pharaoh’s own chariot appears to be meant.
his people ] i.e. his warriors (Num 21:23 al.).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
6, 7. he made ready his chariotHispreparations for an immediate and hot pursuit are here described: Adifference is made between “the chosen chariots” and “thechariots of Egypt.” The first evidently composed the king’sguard, amounting to six hundred, and they are called “chosen,”literally, “third men”; three men being allotted to eachchariot, the charioteer and two warriors. As to “the chariots ofEgypt,” the common cars contained only two persons, one fordriving and the other for fighting; sometimes only one person was inthe chariot, the driver lashed the reins round his body and fought;infantry being totally unsuitable for a rapid pursuit, and theEgyptians having had no cavalry, the word “riders” is inthe grammatical connection applied to war chariots employed, andthese were of light construction, open behind, and hung on smallwheels.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he made ready his chariot,…. Which he usually rode in when he went forth to war; for this seems to be a military chariot, and not for show or grandeur; and this was got ready not by himself, as Jarchi, but rather by his orders, as Aben Ezra:
and took his people with him; the Greek version reads, “all his people”; not all his subjects, but his soldiers; at least a great number, and especially his cavalry.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
6. And he made ready his chariot. Moses briefly describes the warlike preparation of Pharaoh, not only to magnify the greatness of God’s power in delivering the people, but also to show with what violent and obstinate audacity the wicked go forwards, when they give way to their depraved and criminal lusts. Just now the Egyptians were almost frightened to death, and cried out that all was over with them; scarcely has a day passed, when they collect a powerful army as if their forces were uninjured. If any object that 600 chariots, and even many more, although filled with armed men, were insufficient to conquer 600,000 men: I reply, that, since they knew that the battle would be with an unwarlike multitude, amongst which, too, women and children were mingled, they relied on this consideration, and hoped that they would have no difficulty in routing this enormous number, since it was both inexperienced and undisciplined. Nor would their hope have been disappointed, had not God been against them. But the event, proved how truly Solomon says,
“
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the Lord,” (Pro 21:30😉
and how justly Isaiah defies the enemies of the Church:
“
Associate yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand.” (Isa 8:9.)
For this presumption brings the wicked to naught; and, whilst they rush forward with unbridled violence, they conceive not that God has a secret bridle to restrain their lusts.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(6) He made ready his chariot.Egyptian monarchs of the Rameside period almost always led their armies out to battle, and when they did so, uniformly rode with a single attendant, who acted as charioteer, in a two-horse chariot. Made ready means, of course, ordered to be made ready.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
6. He made ready his chariot Horses and chariots are first represented in the monuments of Amosis, (1520 B . C . ,) although there is evidence of their use before that time . The chariot was two-wheeled, without back or seat, bottomed with a network of thongs, whose elasticity supplied the lack of springs: it was drawn by two horses, which were harnessed, without traces, to a pole fastened to a yoke resting upon the withers . The spear-case, bow-case, and quiver were fastened at the side, and it was manned by a driver and one or two warriors, who stood as they rode.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Reader! keep in view, what hath before been said of the Lord’s hardening this man’s heart. Read that striking verse, Pro 12:16
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 14:6 And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:
Ver. 6. Made ready his chariot. ] To meet his destruction.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
And. Note the Polysyndeton (App-6) in Exo 14:6 and Exo 14:7.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
people: Exo 14:23, Num 21:23, Deu 2:32, Deu 3:1