What does Exodus 13:18 mean?

God's care for Israel did not suddenly stop when they were granted freedom (Exodus 12:29–32). As they travel, He leads them (Exodus 13:21–22) southeast, rather than north. To the north were Egyptian roads leading into Philistine territory (Exodus 23:31) A very recently freed nation of slaves would not have been trained for war or armed with enough weapons to fight. This verse uses the rare Hebrew word hamusim, and some translations suggest the Hebrews were prepared for war. While they may have been mentally expecting a fight, this more likely means they marched with organized purpose, as would an army.

At the time of the exodus, there was no body of water called the "Red Sea." The Hebrew phrase yam suph literally means "Sea of Reeds." Some identify this as the modern Gulf of Aqaba, on the far east side of the Sinai peninsula. But this is extremely far from where Israel left Egypt (Exodus 12:37). Much more likely is that God took Israel towards the Gulf of Suez, which is a northern extension of what is now called the "Red Sea." This would have quickly brought the nation to the modern-called Lake Timsah at Ismailia in Egypt. Also nearby is a larger body called the Great Bitter Lake. At one of these locations, Israel will experience yet another amazing miracle as God saves them from the pursuing Egyptian army (Exodus 14).