Exodus 13:20

ESV And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness.

NIV After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert.

NASB Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham, on the edge of the wilderness.

CSB They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

NLT The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

KJV And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.

NKJV So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness.

What does Exodus 13:20 mean?

Israel is leaving Egypt (Exodus 12:40–41) where they had been enslaved for centuries (Exodus 1:11–14). The large group has passed through Succoth (Exodus 12:37–38). God is not leading them along the main northern roads near the Mediterranean (Exodus 13:17–18). Instead, He takes the people southeast, towards what Scripture calls yam suph: literally, the "Sea of Reeds." Though translated as "Red Sea" in most Bibles, this is not exactly the same body of water as the modern-day Red Sea. Most likely, God is taking them towards the northern edge of the Gulf of Suez and the many lakes nearby.

Israel passes through Etham, near a region today called the "Bitter Lakes." This location has not been precisely identified. However, it is close to another as-yet precisely discovered place called Pi-hahiroth (Exodus 14:1–2). This is on the shores of the Sea of Reeds, where Israel will be met by a pursuing Egyptian army (Exodus 14:3–9). There, God will miraculously rescue them and devastate the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:27–29).

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