13:1 Moses See 2:10–11; 3:1–6.

13:2 Consecrate to me every firstborn See vv. 12–16. The firstborn belongs to God by virtue of this decree, not because of any inherent status. Later in Israel’s history, the Levites replace the firstborn by way of their priestly role (Num 3:12; 8:16, 18). Before the Levitical roles were created, the firstborn may have fulfilled priestly functions.

13:3 food with yeast will not be eaten See note on Exod 12:8. This observance was first explained in 12:14–20.

13:4 Abib The first month. Later named Nisan. See note on 12:2.

13:5 the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Hivites and the Jebusites The promised land of Canaan is frequently mentioned with lists of 3–10 people groups who are to be driven out of the land (see Gen 15:19–21 and note). There are 18 lists like this in Genesis to 2 Kings—including several in Exodus (e.g., Exod 3:8; 23:23; 33:2; 34:11). Compare Gen 10:16–17; 13:7; Deut 7:1; 20:17; Josh 3:10; 9:1; 11:3; 12:8; 24:11).

13:6 Seven days References the Feast of Unleavened Bread (see Exod 12:14–20).

13:8 came out from Egypt The consecration of the firstborn and the associated festivals are rooted in the historical event of the exodus.

13:9 between your eyes Refers to the forehead (compare Deut 14:1). This verse and others led to the Jewish tradition of wearing phylacteries—small, black, leather boxes that contained short passages of Scripture. Jews bind the phylacteries to their arms and foreheads by straps.

13:10 from year to year The Feast of Unleavened Bread was held annually.

13:11 as he swore to you and to your ancestors See Gen 12:1–3; 15:1–6, 15:13–14.

13:17 God God, not Moses, is Israel’s primary leader. Elsewhere, the Angel of Yahweh leads Israel (e.g., Exod 23:20–23; Judg 2:1–3). This reference is part of the Godhead language of the ot.

Old Testament Godhead Language

the way of the land of the Philistines Refers to an ancient road known as “the way of Horus” (later called the Via Maris meaning the “way of the sea”). This road ran from the northeastern Egyptian delta along the Mediterranean coast toward Canaan. This short itinerary is paralleled by Num 33:1–15, though the two descriptions contain disagreements.

war The coastal highway was dotted by Egyptian forts—a threat to the Israelites.

13:18 to the Red Sea The Hebrew phrase used here, yam suph, means “sea of reeds.” While it can refer to what is now known as the Red Sea (e.g., 1 Kgs 9:26), the term is widely used in the Bible. Based on the description in Num 33, the usage here likely does not refer to the Red Sea, but to another shorter crossing.

13:19 the bones of Joseph When the people leave Egypt, Moses takes the bones of Joseph, fulfilling his deathbed request (Gen 50:25). The Israelites bury the bones when they reach Canaan (Josh 24:32).

13:20 Succoth The first stop after leaving Goshen. Succoth is still in the Egyptian delta. Today, the site is identified as Tell el-Maskhuta.

Etham See Num 33:6–8. The exact location is unknown. It apparently lies on the border of the delta and the wilderness.

13:21 Yahweh See note on Gen 4:1; note on Exod 3:14. Here, Yahweh leads Israel in a pillar (see v. 17; compare 14:19–20). Elsewhere, Yahweh meets Israel in a cloud (e.g., 19:20; 24:16).

a column of cloud Besides veiling Yahweh from view and providing direction, the cloud also obscured the entire assembly from view. It may have also filtered the sun (Psa 105:39).

13:22 the column of fire Fire and cloud imagery are combined in God’s appearances at Sinai (Exod 19:18; Deut 4:11–12).

Fire as a Motif of Divine Presence