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◄ Exodus 14:12►

New International Version
Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”

New Living Translation
Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”

English Standard Version
Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

Berean Standard Bible
Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

King James Bible
Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? Forit had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

New King James Version
Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? Forit would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.”

New American Standard Bible
Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness!”

NASB 1995
“Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians ‘? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

NASB 1977
“Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than for us to die in the wilderness.”

Amplified Bible
Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians [as slaves] than to die in the wilderness.”

Christian Standard Bible
Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt: Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt: Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

American Standard Version
Is not this the word that we spake unto thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it were better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

Contemporary English Version
While we were there, didn't we tell you to leave us alone? We'd rather be slaves in Egypt than die in this desert!"

English Revised Version
Is not this the word that we spake unto thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it were better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Didn't we tell you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone! Let us go on serving the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"

Good News Translation
Didn't we tell you before we left that this would happen? We told you to leave us alone and let us go on being slaves of the Egyptians. It would be better to be slaves there than to die here in the desert."

International Standard Version
Is this not what we told you in Egypt, when we said, 'Leave us alone!' and 'Let us serve the Egyptians!'? Indeed, it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"

NET Bible
Isn't this what we told you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone so that we can serve the Egyptians, because it is better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!'"

New Heart English Bible
Isn't this the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, 'Leave us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians?' For it were better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness."

Webster's Bible Translation
Is not this the word that we told thee in Egypt, Saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

World English Bible
Isn’t this the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Is this not the word which we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, Cease from us, and we serve the Egyptians; for [it is] better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in a wilderness?”

Young's Literal Translation
Is not this the word which we spake unto thee in Egypt, saying, Cease from us, and we serve the Egyptians; for better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in a wilderness?'

Smith's Literal Translation
Is not this the word which we spake to thee in Egypt, saying, Desist from us, and we will serve the Egyptians? For it is good to us to serve Egypt rather than that we died in the desert.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Is not this the word that we spoke to thee in Egypt, saying: Depart from us that we may serve the Egyptians? for it was much better to serve them, than to die in the wilderness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying: Withdraw from us, so that we may serve the Egyptians? For it was much better to serve them, than to die in the wilderness.”

New American Bible
Did we not tell you this in Egypt, when we said, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? Far better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

New Revised Standard Version
Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, ‘Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Is not this the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in this wilderness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Was this not the answer we were saying to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us that we may work for the Egyptians’, because it was better for us that we may work for the Egyptians than that we should die in this wilderness?”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Is not this the word that we spoke unto thee in Egypt, saying: Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it were better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Is not this the word which we spoke to thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians? for it is better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in this wilderness.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Pharaoh Pursues the Israelites
…11They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us into the wilderness to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?12Did we not say to you in Egypt,‘Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians’?For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”13But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Numbers 14:3-4
Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” / So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.”

Acts 7:39
But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.

Numbers 11:5
We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.

Nehemiah 9:17
They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them.

Psalm 106:7
Our fathers in Egypt did not grasp Your wonders or remember Your abundant kindness; but they rebelled by the sea, there at the Red Sea.

Numbers 21:5
and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”

Deuteronomy 1:27
You grumbled in your tents and said, “Because the LORD hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to be annihilated.

Psalm 78:17-19
But they continued to sin against Him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High. / They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved. / They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness?

Numbers 14:11
And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?

Acts 7:51
You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.

Numbers 20:3-5
The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD! / Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? / Why have you led us up out of Egypt to bring us to this wretched place? It is not a place of grain, figs, vines, or pomegranates—and there is no water to drink!”

Hebrews 3:7-9
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works.

Numbers 16:13-14
Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? Must you also appoint yourself as ruler over us? / Moreover, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you gouge out the eyes of these men? No, we will not come!”

1 Corinthians 10:10
And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.

Numbers 14:22
not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness—yet have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times—

Treasury of Scripture

Is not this the word that we did tell you in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

is not this

Exodus 5:21
And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.

Exodus 3:9
Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.

let us alone

Hosea 4:17
Ephraimis joined to idols: let him alone.

Mark 1:24
Saying, Letus alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

Mark 5:7,17,18
And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus,thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not…

for it had

Jonah 4:3,8
Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; forit is better for me to die than to live…

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Exodus 14

1.God instructs the Israelites in their journey
5.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

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

Did we not say to you in Egypt
This phrase reflects the Israelites' recollection of their past conversations with Moses while they were still in Egypt. It highlights their initial reluctance and fear of change, even when faced with the promise of freedom. Historically, the Israelites had been in Egypt for over 400 years, and their identity and daily life were deeply intertwined with Egyptian culture and servitude. This statement underscores their struggle with faith and trust in God's plan, a recurring theme throughout their journey.

‘Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians’?
Here, the Israelites express a desire to return to their previous state of servitude, which they perceive as more secure than the uncertainty of the wilderness. This reflects a common human tendency to prefer familiar suffering over uncertain freedom. Biblically, this attitude is seen as a lack of faith in God's deliverance. Theologically, it contrasts with the call to trust in God's provision and guidance, as seen in other scriptures likeNumbers 14:3-4, where the Israelites again express a desire to return to Egypt.

For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians
This statement reveals the Israelites' short-sightedness and lack of faith. They equate physical safety and provision with a better life, ignoring the spiritual and physical bondage they endured. This reflects a broader biblical theme where God's people often struggle to see beyond immediate circumstances to the greater freedom and blessings God offers. It also foreshadows future complaints and rebellions during their wilderness journey, as seen inExodus 16:3 andNumbers 11:5.

than to die in the wilderness.”
The fear of death in the wilderness represents the Israelites' lack of trust in God's promise of deliverance and provision. The wilderness is a place of testing and transformation, where God intends to shape His people into a nation that relies on Him. This phrase highlights their failure to understand God's purpose and plan. Theologically, it points to the need for faith in God's promises, as later emphasized inHebrews 3:7-19, which warns against hardening one's heart as the Israelites did. The wilderness journey can also be seen as a type of Christ's own testing in the wilderness, where He succeeded in trusting God fully.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Israelites
The people of God who were enslaved in Egypt and are now on their journey to the Promised Land. They are expressing fear and doubt in this verse.

2.Moses
The leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. He is the one being addressed by the Israelites in this verse.

3.Egypt
The land where the Israelites were enslaved. It represents bondage and oppression in this context.

4.Wilderness
The place where the Israelites find themselves after leaving Egypt. It symbolizes a place of testing and reliance on God.

5.Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt who initially refused to let the Israelites go. His pursuit of the Israelites leads to their fear and doubt.

Teaching Points

Fear vs. Faith
The Israelites' fear of the unknown led them to prefer the familiarity of bondage over the uncertainty of freedom. Believers today must choose faith over fear, trusting in God's promises even when circumstances seem daunting.

The Danger of Looking Back
The Israelites' desire to return to Egypt highlights the danger of longing for past comforts when God is leading us to something greater. Christians are called to press forward, leaving behind the old life of sin.

God's Faithfulness in Trials
Despite the Israelites' lack of faith, God remained faithful and delivered them. This teaches us that God's faithfulness is not dependent on our faithfulness, and He is always working for our good.

The Importance of Leadership
Moses' role as a leader is crucial in guiding the Israelites through their fear. Spiritual leaders today are called to encourage and guide their communities through challenges with wisdom and faith.

Trusting God's Plan
The Israelites' inability to see God's plan led to despair. Believers are encouraged to trust that God has a purpose and plan, even when it is not immediately visible.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Exodus 14:12?

2.How does Exodus 14:12 demonstrate Israel's struggle with faith and trust in God?

3.What can we learn from Israel's fear about facing challenges in our lives?

4.How does Exodus 14:12 connect to God's deliverance throughout the Bible?

5.In what ways can we avoid longing for past comforts over God's promises?

6.How can Exodus 14:12 inspire us to trust God's plan during difficult times?

7.Why did the Israelites doubt Moses despite witnessing miracles in Exodus 14:12?

8.How does Exodus 14:12 reflect human resistance to change and fear of the unknown?

9.What does Exodus 14:12 reveal about the Israelites' faith in God's plan?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 14?

11.In Numbers 14:2, how plausible is it that a whole nation would suddenly wish to return to Egypt after seeing so many miraculous events?

12.(Exodus 34:10) Is there any historical or archeological evidence that God performed the marvels described here in front of the Israelites?

13.Exodus 39:8-21: How did they manage the sophisticated techniques required to craft and engrave the breastpiece with gemstone settings in a wilderness setting?

14.What are examples of miracles in the Bible?

What Does Exodus 14:12 Mean

Did we not say to you in Egypt

“Did we not say to you in Egypt…”

• This is the people’s selective memory of earlier conversations (Exodus 5:21; 6:9). Under the weight of Pharaoh’s oppression they once cried out for deliverance (Exodus 2:23-25), yet now they recall only the moment they feared Moses’ intervention would worsen their plight.

• Trials often reveal an inner tug-of-war between faith and familiarity. Like Israel, believers may long for freedom (John 8:36) yet second-guess God’s timing when pressure mounts (James 1:2-4).

• The statement exposes unbelief: though they had witnessed ten plagues, they still doubted the Lord’s promise (Exodus 13:21-22).Psalm 106:7 echoes this: “They did not remember Your abundant kindness.”

Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians

“Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians…”

• Serving Egypt meant submitting again to cruel slavery (Exodus 1:13-14). Fear can make bondage appear safer than freedom.

• Their plea shows how sin deceives (Hebrews 3:12-13). The old life seems easier than trusting God for the new (Numbers 11:5-6;Acts 7:39).

• Believers face similar temptations: returning to old rulers—habits, addictions, legalism—rather than walking by the Spirit (Galatians 4:9;Romans 6:16).

• Moses, however, stands firm (Exodus 14:13), modeling godly leadership that refuses to accommodate faithless requests (1 Samuel 12:23).

For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness

“For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

• They measure “better” by immediate survival, not by covenant promises (Genesis 15:13-14;Exodus 3:17).

• The complaint forecasts future grumbling at Marah, in the Desert of Sin, and at Kadesh (Exodus 15:24; 16:3;Numbers 14:2-4). Unbelief exaggerates risk and minimizes God’s proven power (Psalm 78:41-42).

• The Lord was leading them to Canaan, not a grave (Exodus 6:8). True “better” is defined by obedience (Deuteronomy 30:15-20;Philippians 1:21).

• Jesus calls disciples to embrace apparent loss for eternal gain (Matthew 16:24-25;Hebrews 11:24-26). Choosing slavery over possible sacrifice denies God’s goodness and purpose.

summary

Exodus 14:12 captures Israel’s reflexive fear moments before the Red Sea miracle. Their words unveil forgetfulness of past deliverance, a preference for familiar chains, and a narrow view of “better” that excludes God’s promise. The verse warns believers against longing for old bondage when faith is tested, urging steadfast trust that the God who saves will also sustain and lead into fullness of His plan.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12)Is not this the word that we did tell thee . . .?--At one time they had refused to listen to Moses (Exodus 6:9) but in the main they had acquiesced in his proceedings, and allowed him to act in their name. The reproach was therefore unjust and undeserved; but it is in human nature to make such reproaches in times of danger and difficulty.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. -Is not this the word that we did tell thee? The reference was probably to that time of depression, after their burdens had been increased, and before the series of miracles began, when the Israelites had addressed reproaches to Moses and Aaron (Exodus 5:21), and refused to listen to words of encouragement (Exodus 6:9). It was not true that they had uniformly held the same language, and desired Moses and Aaron to cease their efforts. It had been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die. The spirit to prefer death to slavery, where they are the only alternatives, is not a common one; and we must not be surprised that a people which had grown up in servitude and had no traditions of national independence did not rise to the heroic height attained under other circumstances by Greeks, by Switzers. and by Poles. It would have been most extraordinary had they done so.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

{Did we} not
הֲלֹא־(hă·lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, no

say
דִּבַּ֨רְנוּ(dib·bar·nū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to you
אֵלֶ֤יךָ(’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, to

in Egypt,
בְמִצְרַ֙יִם֙(ḇə·miṣ·ra·yim)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714:Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

‘Leave us alone
חֲדַ֥ל(ḥă·ḏal)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 2308:To be flabby, desist, be lacking, idle

so that we may serve
וְנַֽעַבְדָ֣ה(wə·na·‘aḇ·ḏāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 5647:To work, to serve, till, enslave

the Egyptians’?
מִצְרָ֑יִם(miṣ·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4713:Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt

For
כִּ֣י(kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunction

it would have been better
ט֥וֹב(ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896:Pleasant, agreeable, good

for us
לָ֙נוּ֙(lā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

to serve
עֲבֹ֣ד(‘ă·ḇōḏ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5647:To work, to serve, till, enslave

the Egyptians
מִצְרַ֔יִם(miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4713:Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt

than to die
מִמֻּתֵ֖נוּ(mim·mu·ṯê·nū)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common plural
Strong's 4191:To die, to kill

in the wilderness.”
בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃(bam·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057:A pasture, a desert, speech

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OT Law: Exodus 14:12 Isn't this the word that we spoke (Exo. Ex)