Exodus 14:12 (ASV)

Passage

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.

Nearby Context

Exodus 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto Jehovah.

Exodus 14:11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to bring us forth out of Egypt?

Exodus 14:12 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.

Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of Jehovah, which he will work for you to-day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

Exodus 14:14 Jehovah will fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "word", "spake", "thee", "egypt", "saying", "alone", "serve", and "egyptians". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "word" and "spake", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 11's "And they said unto Moses Because there..." into verse 13's "And Moses said unto the people Fear...", so "word" and "spake" belong inside that flow. In Exodus context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "word" and "spake" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.