12-00

The Exodus

This title can also be translated as: “About what happened when the Israelites left Egypt” or “What happened when God took the Israelites out of Egypt?” or “What happened when the Israelites left Egypt?”

Exodus

The term Exodus means leaving or going out from.

12-01

They were no longer slaves

This could be translated as: “They were not slaves anymore.”

were going

Some languages may use a more specific word like traveling since they would be going a long distance to the Promised Land.

the Promised Land

This is the land that God had promised that he would give to Abraham’s descendants.

12-02

A tall pillar of cloud

This could be translated as: “A tall cloud” or “A cloud shaped like a pillar.” This was not an actual pillar such as something that supports a building. In appearance it resembled a pillar, but it was made out of clouds. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md]])

a tall pillar of fire

This was a column of fire that hung or floated in the air in front of the Israelites. This was not an actual pillar such as something that supports a building. It resembled a pillar in appearance, but it was made out of fire. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md]])

guided them

God showed them the way by making the pillar move along in front of them so they could follow it.

12-03

After a short time

Probably at least two days had gone by. For that to be clear, it may be translated as: “After a few days” or “A few days after the Israelites left Egypt.”

changed their minds

This phrase means began to think differently than they had before. The Egyptians did not replace their minds, but made a decision that was not the same as the one they first made. They decided the Israelites should leave, but later decided that was the wrong choice and that they should have kept the Israelites as slaves. Some languages may not have this same expression, and will express the meaning in a direct way. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-idiom/01.md]])

So they

The connecting word So connects the result (the Egyptians chased after the Israelites), with the reason (the Egyptians wanted the Israelites to be their slaves again). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

12-04

they were trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea

Another way to say this would be: “there was nowhere they could go to escape since the Egyptians were behind them and the Red Sea was in front of them.”

Why did we leave Egypt?

The Israelites were not asking for reasons. Because they were afraid, in this moment they were wishing they had not left Egypt (even though it had been very difficult for them there). This could be a statement: “We should not have left Egypt!” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-rquestion/01.md]])

We are going to die!

This is a strong statement that expresses their certainty that the Egyptians would kill them. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])

12-05

Stop being afraid!

This is both a command and also an exclamation. Moses was telling the people in very strong terms that they were wrong to be afraid, rather than trusting God to protect them. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])

God will fight for you today and save you

Another way to say this would be: “Today God will defeat the Egyptians for you and keep them from harming you.”

fight for you today and save you

Both occurrences of the pronoun you refers to all the Israelites. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-pronouns/01.md]])

Then God told Moses, “Tell the people to move toward the Red Sea.”

This is direct quotation. It can also be stated as an indirect quotation: “Then God told Moses to tell the people to move toward the Red Sea.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

to move

Some languages will be more specific and say: “to walk.”

12-06

Then the pillar of cloud moved

The connecting word Then connects God’s instructions that the Israelites are to move forward with the pillar of cloud moving behind them. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential/01.md]])

the pillar of cloud

See how you translated this phrase in 12:02.

12-07

raise his hand over the sea

This could be translated as: “held out his hand over the sea.” This was a gesture to show that God was doing this miracle through Moses.

Then God caused

The connecting word Then connects Moses’ action of obedience in raising his hand over the sea with the result (God caused the wind to blow). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

so that

The connecting words so that connect the wind blowing with the effect (the path through the sea for the Israelites). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

12-08

marched

This can be translated as: “walked” or “went.”

with a wall of water on either side of them

This could be translated as: “and the water on both sides of them stood up tall and straight like a wall.”

12-10

So they followed the Israelites

The connecting word So connects the result (the Egyptians followed the Israelites in to the sea), with the cause (God removed the cloud). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

the path through the sea

This was the dry strip of land across the bottom of the sea, with a wall of water on each side.

but God

The connecting word but contrasts the movement of the Israelites God caused by opening the path, with the lack of movement of the Egyptians God caused with their panic and chariots becoming stuck. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast/01.md]])

to panic

This could be translated as: “to get fearful and confused.”

to get stuck

The chariots could no longer move.

Run away!

This is both a command and also an exclamation. The Egyptians were so afraid when they realized that they were in great danger. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])

God is fighting for the Israelites!

This exclamation emphasizes the fear of the Egyptians when they realized that God had led them into a trap in the sea, and they were going to drown. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])

12-11

to stretch out his hand again

This could be translated as: “lift his hand over the sea again” or, as a direct command, as in, “God told Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand again.’”

Then God

The connecting word Then connects the action (the Israelites arriving safely on the other side of the Sea) with God’s instructions to Moses to close the path through the sea. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential/01.md]])

returned to its normal place

This could be translated as: “covered the place again where the path had been,” or “filled the whole sea again” or “went back to where it was before God separated it.”

The whole Egyptian army

This could be translated as: “everyone in Egypt’s army.”

12-12

When the Israelites saw

The connecting word When connects the cause (God’s destruction of the Egyptian army), with the effect (the Israelites trusted God). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

trusted in God

In other words, the people now trusted that God was powerful and could protect them.

12-13

rejoiced very much

This could be translated as: “were very happy and they showed it enthusiastically” or “showed it with their whole hearts” or “with all their strength.”

because God had saved them

The connecting word because connects the result (the Israelites rejoiced), with the cause (God saved them). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

free to worship

God freed, or rescued, the Israelites from being slaves in Egypt so that they could serve him.

to praise God

In some languages this could be translated as: “to lift up God’s name” or “to say that God is great.”

12-14

in order to

The connecting words in order to indicate the goal or purpose of the festival (to remind the Israelites and their descendants of how God had delivered them). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal/01.md]])

remember how God had defeated

This could be translated as: “regularly remind themselves of how God defeated.” The word remember here doesn’t just mean to not forget; it also means to formally commemorate something.

the Passover

This could be translated as: “the Passover activities” or “the Passover celebration” or “the Passover meal.”

healthy lamb

This here refers to a lamb with no disease or anything else wrong with it. Another way to say this might be “a completely healthy and well-formed lamb.”

with bread made without yeast

Another way to say this is: “unleavened bread.” See how you translated this in 11:03.

A Bible story from

These references may be slightly different in some Bible translations.