Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!” New Living Translation When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked. English Standard Version When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” Berean Standard Bible When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” Berean Literal Bible And it was told to the king of Egypt that the people had fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people, and they said, “What is this that we have done, that we have sent out Israel from serving us?” King James Bible And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? New King James Version Now it was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people; and they said, “Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” New American Standard Bible When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, “What is this that we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” NASB 1995 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” NASB 1977 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” Legacy Standard Bible Then the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” Amplified Bible When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, “What is this that we have done? We have let Israel go from serving us!” Berean Annotated Bible When the king of Egypt (land of bondage) was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh (great house) and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel (he wrestles with God) from serving us. Christian Standard Bible When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about the people and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” Holman Christian Standard Bible When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about the people and said: “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” American Standard Version And it was told the king of Egypt that the people were fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed towards the people, and they said, What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us? Contemporary English Version When the king of Egypt heard that the Israelites had finally left, he and his officials changed their minds and said, "Look what we have done! We let them get away, and they will no longer be our slaves." English Revised Version And it was told the king of Egypt that the people were fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed towards the people, and they said, What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us? GOD'S WORD® Translation When Pharaoh (the king of Egypt) was told that the people had fled, he and his officials changed their minds about them. They said, "What have we done? We've lost our slaves because we've let Israel go." Good News Translation When the king of Egypt was told that the people had escaped, he and his officials changed their minds and said, "What have we done? We have let the Israelites escape, and we have lost them as our slaves!" International Standard Version When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the minds of Pharaoh and his officials changed toward the people, and they said, "What have we done in releasing Israel from serving us?" NET Bible When it was reported to the king of Egypt that the people had fled, the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people, and the king and his servants said, "What in the world have we done? For we have released the people of Israel from serving us!" New Heart English Bible It was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled; and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed towards the people, and they said, "What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?" Webster's Bible Translation And it was told to the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” World English Bible The king of Egypt was told that the people had fled; and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd it is declared to the king of Egypt that the people have fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants is turned against the people, and they say, “What [is] this we have done, that we have sent Israel away from our service?” Berean Literal Bible And it was told to the king of Egypt that the people had fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people, and they said, “What is this that we have done, that we have sent out Israel from serving us?” Young's Literal Translation And it is declared to the king of Egypt that the people hath fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants is turned against the people, and they say, 'What is this we have done? that we have sent Israel away from our service.' Smith's Literal Translation And it was announced to the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh will be turned, and his servants, against the people, and they will say, What this we did, that we sent forth Israel from serving us? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd it was told the king of the Egyptians that the people was fled: and the heart of Pharao and of his servants was changed with regard to the people, and they said: What meant we to do, that we let Israel go from serving us? Catholic Public Domain Version And it was reported to the king of the Egyptians that the people had fled. And the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed about the people, and they said, “What did we intend to do, so that we released Israel from serving us?” New American Bible When it was reported to the king of Egypt that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart about the people. “What in the world have we done!” they said. “We have released Israel from our service!” New Revised Standard Version When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the minds of Pharaoh and his officials were changed toward the people, and they said, “What have we done, letting Israel leave our service?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd it was told the king of Egypt that the people had gone away; and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants changed against the people, and they said, What have we done that we have let Israel go from serving us? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And it was told to the King of Egypt that the people themselves were going and the heart of Pharaoh was turned and what they were doing concerning the people and they were saying, “What are we doing that we are sending Israel out from our subjection?” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And it was told the king of Egypt that the people were fled; and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned towards the people, and they said: 'What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us? Brenton Septuagint Translation And it was reported to the king of the Egyptians that the people had fled: and the heart of Pharao was turned, and that of his servants against the people; and they said, What is this that we have done, to let the children of Israel go, so that they should not serve us? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Pharaoh Pursues the Israelites…4And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them. But I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So this is what the Israelites did. 5When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” 6So Pharaoh prepared his chariot and took his army with him.… Cross References When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Exodus 12:31-33 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. / Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also.” / And in order to send them out of the land quickly, the Egyptians urged the people on. “For otherwise,” they said, “we are all going to die!” Numbers 33:3 On the fifteenth day of the first month, on the day after the Passover, the Israelites set out from Rameses. They marched out defiantly in full view of all the Egyptians, Deuteronomy 16:3 You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt. Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them Exodus 8:15 When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, however, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said. Exodus 9:34-35 When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had ceased, he sinned again and hardened his heart—he and his officials. / So Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the LORD had said through Moses. Exodus 10:20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go. and said, “What have we done? Joshua 7:19 So Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and make a confession to Him. I urge you to tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.” Genesis 44:15 “What is this deed you have done?” Joseph declared. “Do you not know that a man like me can surely divine the truth?” Jeremiah 8:6 I have listened and heard; they do not speak what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, asking, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone has pursued his own course like a horse charging into battle. We have released Israel from serving us.” Exodus 5:2 But Pharaoh replied, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.” Exodus 7:16 Then say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to tell you: Let My people go, so that they may worship Me in the wilderness. But until now you have not listened. Exodus 9:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. Psalm 105:25 whose hearts He turned to hate His people, to conspire against His servants. Nehemiah 9:9-10 You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt; You heard their cry at the Red Sea. / You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day. Joshua 24:6-7 When I brought your fathers out of Egypt and you reached the Red Sea, the Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horsemen as far as the Red Sea. / So your fathers cried out to the LORD, and He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, over whom He brought the sea and engulfed them. Your very eyes saw what I did to the Egyptians. Then you lived in the wilderness for a long time. 1 Samuel 4:8 Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. Treasury of Scripture And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? and the heart Exodus 12:33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. Psalm 105:25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants. why have we Jeremiah 34:10-17 Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let them go… Luke 11:24-26 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out… 2 Peter 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning… Jump to Previous Bondmen Change Changed Egypt Fled Flight Heart Israel Israelites Lost Mind Minds Officials Pharaoh Servants Services Serving Towards Turned WordJump to Next Bondmen Change Changed Egypt Fled Flight Heart Israel Israelites Lost Mind Minds Officials Pharaoh Servants Services Serving Towards Turned WordExodus 14 1. God instructs the Israelites in their journey5. Pharaoh pursues after them 10. The Israelites murmur 13. Moses comforts them 15. God instructs Moses 19. The cloud removes behind the camp 21. The Israelites pass through the Red sea, which drowns the Egyptians When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled This phrase indicates a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Exodus. The "king of Egypt" refers to Pharaoh, who is a central figure in the story of Israel's liberation. The term "fled" suggests a sudden departure, emphasizing the urgency and divine intervention in Israel's escape. Historically, Egypt was a powerful empire, and the loss of a large labor force would have significant economic implications. This moment reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to deliver His people from bondage, as seen in Exodus 3:7-10. Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” Persons / Places / Events 1. PharaohThe king of Egypt, who initially allowed the Israelites to leave but later regretted his decision. 2. Egypt The land where the Israelites were enslaved and from which they were fleeing. 3. Israelites The people of God, who were enslaved in Egypt and were led by Moses out of bondage. 4. Officials of Pharaoh Advisors and leaders in Egypt who influenced Pharaoh's decision-making. 5. The Exodus The event of the Israelites leaving Egypt, marking a significant moment of deliverance in biblical history. Teaching Points The Danger of Regret and ReversalPharaoh's change of heart serves as a warning against making decisions based on temporary emotions or pressures. It reminds us to seek God's wisdom and guidance in our choices. God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs Despite Pharaoh's change of mind, God's plan for the Israelites' deliverance was not thwarted. This teaches us to trust in God's ultimate control over our circumstances. The Cost of Disobedience Pharaoh's pursuit of the Israelites led to disaster for him and his army. This illustrates the consequences of resisting God's will and the importance of obedience. Faith in the Face of Fear The Israelites' journey required faith, even when pursued by their enemies. We are encouraged to trust God, even when our circumstances seem dire. The Role of Leadership Moses' leadership was crucial during this time. It highlights the importance of godly leadership and the responsibility leaders have to guide others in faith. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 14:5?2. Why did Pharaoh change his mind about releasing the Israelites in Exodus 14:5? 3. How does Pharaoh's decision reflect human stubbornness against God's will? 4. What does Exodus 14:5 teach about trusting God's deliverance in difficult times? 5. How can we avoid repeating Pharaoh's mistakes in our spiritual journey? 6. How does Exodus 14:5 connect with Romans 9:17-18 on God's sovereignty? 7. Why did Pharaoh change his mind about letting the Israelites go in Exodus 14:5? 8. How does Exodus 14:5 reflect God's sovereignty over human decisions? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in Exodus 14:5? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 14? 11. What events occur in the biblical book of Exodus? 12. How could an estimated 600,000 Israelite men (plus families) have left Egypt without overwhelming logistical issues? 13. What is the summary of the Exodus from Egypt? 14. Exodus 5:1: Where is the historical or archaeological evidence of Moses confronting an Egyptian Pharaoh as described? What Does Exodus 14:5 Mean When the king of Egypt was toldPharaoh receives fresh news that Israel is really gone. Earlier, he had driven them out (Exodus 12:31-33), but now the reality sinks in. • God had predicted this moment: “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them” (Exodus 14:4). • The timing is God-controlled, showing His sovereignty (Proverbs 21:1; Psalm 33:10-11). • The report comes after three days of travel (Numbers 33:3-4), precisely when Israel seems most vulnerable, setting the stage for God’s deliverance (Exodus 14:13-14). that the people had fled From Egypt’s perspective Israel looks like runaway slaves, not pilgrims on a worship journey (contrast Exodus 3:18; 8:27). • “Fled” underscores final separation—no intention of returning to bondage (Galatians 5:1). • Egypt interprets departure as rebellion, reigniting hostility (Exodus 15:9). • God uses even Egypt’s misreading to glorify His name (Romans 9:17). Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them National leadership reverses course—again. • Repeated hardness is a theme (Exodus 7:13; 9:34; 10:27). Each change of heart fulfills God’s word while exposing human pride. • The officials share Pharaoh’s guilt; sin often spreads through consensus (Proverbs 29:12). • Their “change” contrasts with God’s unchanging faithfulness to His covenant (Malachi 3:6). "What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us." Regret is purely economic, not moral. • Egypt mourns lost labor (Exodus 1:11-14; 5:4-9), confirming the cruelty God is judging. • The question “What have we done?” echoes worldly sorrow, not repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). • God turns their selfish pursuit into the scene of His greatest Old-Testament salvation, the Red Sea crossing (Exodus 14:26-31). summary Exodus 14:5 records the pivot from Israel’s exit to Egypt’s chase. News reaches Pharaoh, the nation reinterprets Israel’s departure as escape, leaders harden again, and selfish regret propels the army toward disaster. The verse highlights God’s sovereignty over rulers, the final break from bondage for His people, and the emptiness of worldly remorse. (5) The heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people.--No doubt the change began as soon as Israel commenced its march. The emigration left Eastern Egypt a solitude, suspended all the royal works that were in progress, threw the whole course of commerce and business into disorder. Beforehand, neither the king nor the people had understood what the loss of six hundred thousand labourers--some of them highly skilled--would be. When Israel was gone they realised it; consequently both king and people regretted what they had done.Verses 5-9. - THE PURSUIT OF ISRAEL BY THE EGYPTIANS. A short respite from suffering was sufficient to enable Pharaoh to recover from his extreme alarm. No further deaths had followed on the destruction of the firstborn; and he might think no further danger was to be apprehended. The worst of Moses' threats had been accomplished- perhaps Jehovah had no more arrows in his quiver. At any rate, as he realised to himself what it would be to lose altogether the services of so vast a body of slaves, many of them highly skilled in different arts, he more and more regretted the permission which he had given. Under these circumstances intelligence was brought him of the change which the Israelites had made in their route, and the dangerous position into which they had Brought themselves. Upon this he resolved to start in pursuit, with such troops as he could hastily muster. As his chariots were six hundred, we may presume that his footmen were at least 100,000, all trained and disciplined soldiers, accustomed to warfare. The timid horde of escaped slaves, unused to war, though it might be five or six times as numerous as his host, was not likely to resist it. Pharaoh no doubt expected an unconditional surrender on the part of the Israelites, as soon as they saw his forces. Verse 5. - It was told the King of Egypt that the people fled. Pharaoh, when he let the Israelites go, must have felt tolerably certain that they would not voluntarily return. Formally, however, he had only consented to their going a three days' journey into the wilderness (Exodus 12:31). When, being at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness, they did not enter it, but marched southward to Pi-hahiroth, the Egyptians might naturally report that instead of sacrificing, they were flying - hasting forwards - placing as much distance as they could between themselves and the Egyptian headquarters. But this report alone would scarcely have moved Pharaoh to action. It was in the accompanying circumstances, in the particular line of route, that he thought to find his opportunity. The people "were entangled" (ver. 3). They might be taken at a disadvantage, and might be reduced to choosing between starvation and a. return to Egypt. The heart of Pharaoh, and of his servants, was turned against the people. The reaction of feeling was not confined to Pharaoh. His subjects participated in it. The loss of such a large body of labourers would be generally felt as a severe blow to the prosperity of the nation. It would affect all classes. The poor labourers might be benefited; but the employers of labour are the influential classes, and they would be injured. So "Pharaoh's servants" were of one mind with their master, and they "turned against" the Israelites. Why have we done this? In the retrospect, the afflictions which they had suffered did not seem so very great. They at any rate had survived them, and were not perhaps even seriously impoverished. Royal favour will find a way of making up any losses which court minions have suffered, out of the general taxation of the country. But in prospect, the loss of 600,000 (more or less skilled) labourers appeared a terrible thing. The official class was quite ready to make a strenuous effort to avert the loss.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew When the kingלְמֶ֣לֶךְ (lə·me·leḵ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Egypt מִצְרַ֔יִם (miṣ·ra·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa was told וַיֻּגַּד֙ (way·yug·gaḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hofal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous that כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the people הָעָ֑ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock had fled, בָרַ֖ח (ḇā·raḥ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1272: To bolt, to flee suddenly Pharaoh פַּרְעֹ֤ה (par·‘ōh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings and his officials וַעֲבָדָיו֙ (wa·‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant changed וַ֠יֵּהָפֵךְ (way·yê·hā·p̄êḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2015: To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert their minds לְבַ֨ב (lə·ḇaḇ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart about אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to [them] הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock and said, וַיֹּֽאמרוּ֙ (way·yō·m·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say “What מַה־ (mah-) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what have we done? עָשִׂ֔ינוּ (‘ā·śî·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 6213: To do, make We have released שִׁלַּ֥חְנוּ (šil·laḥ·nū) Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc from serving us.” מֵעָבְדֵֽנוּ׃ (mê·‘ā·ḇə·ḏê·nū) Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common plural Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave Links Exodus 14:5 NIVExodus 14:5 NLT Exodus 14:5 ESV Exodus 14:5 NASB Exodus 14:5 KJV Exodus 14:5 BibleApps.com Exodus 14:5 Biblia Paralela Exodus 14:5 Chinese Bible Exodus 14:5 French Bible Exodus 14:5 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 14:5 It was told the king of Egypt (Exo. 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