Exodus 14:12 (YLT)

Passage

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?'

Nearby Context

Exodus 14:10 And Pharaoh hath drawn near, and the sons of Israel lift up their eyes, and lo, the Egyptians are journeying after them, and they fear exceedingly, and the sons of Israel cry unto Jehovah.

Exodus 14:11 And they say unto Moses, `Because there are no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in a wilderness? what is this thou hast done to us--to bring us out from Egypt?

Exodus 14:12 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?'

Exodus 14:13 And Moses saith unto the people, `Fear not, station yourselves, and see the salvation of Jehovah, which He doth for you to-day; for, as ye have seen the Egyptians to-day, ye add no more to see them--to the age;

Exodus 14:14 Jehovah doth fight for you, and ye keep silent.'

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "word", "spake", "thee", "egypt", "saying", "cease", "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 say unto Moses Because there..." into verse 13's "And Moses saith 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.