Exodus 14:14 Text
King James Version (KJV)
The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
World English Bible (WEB)
Yahweh will fight for you, and you shall be still.”
What Exodus 14:14 Means
These words were spoken by Moses to terrified Israelites standing between the sea and an advancing Egyptian army. The promise is short: the LORD will fight for you. The second half, translated hold your peace in KJV and be still in the WEB, tells them to stay quiet. In context the people had been complaining loudly, so the command may mean to stop the panic and the grumbling, and let God act. It does not mean that the people did nothing at all, because in the very next verse God tells Moses to move the people forward. A common misreading treats the verse as permission to be passive in every difficulty. Closer reading shows that God's action and human obedience work together, and in this case obedience meant walking into the sea once it opened. The verse stands as one of the Bible's best-known images of rescue.
Context of Exodus 14:14
Exodus is traditionally attributed to Moses and tells of Israel's escape from slavery in Egypt, probably in the second millennium BC. After the Passover, Pharaoh changed his mind and sent chariots after the Israelites. They were trapped at the edge of the sea, and many cried out in fear that they should have stayed in Egypt. Right after this verse God divides the sea and Israel crosses on dry ground. To read the whole book, see random verse from Exodus.
How to Apply Exodus 14:14
When you feel cornered, try separating what you can do from what you cannot. Do the next faithful thing, whether a phone call, a decision or a prayer, and let go of trying to control the rest. This verse can steady you without excusing you from action when action is needed.
Related Verses
- Deuteronomy 3:22 – Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.
- 2 Chronicles 20:15 – And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
- Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
- Exodus 15:2 – The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Looking for more verses on this theme? Browse Bible Verses About Trust, each with a short note on its context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the LORD will fight for you mean?
It means God himself will act on his people's behalf against what threatens them. In Exodus, Israel did not defeat the Egyptians with weapons; God brought deliverance through the sea. For readers today it expresses trust that God is active in their struggles, even when they cannot see a way out.
Does Exodus 14:14 mean we should do nothing?
Not exactly. The people were told to stop panicking and trust, but the next verse has God telling Moses to move forward. The verse encourages calm confidence in God, while real obedience and action still have their place. Waiting on God does not always mean standing still.
← Numbers 6:24-26Deuteronomy 6:5 →
Want a different verse? Try the Bible verse randomizer or browse all popular Bible verses.