Bible studies with Don Isaac Abravanel’s commentary (also spelled Abarbanel) has withstood the test of
time. For over five centuries, Abravanel has delighted – and enlightened – clergy and layman alike,
offering enduring interpretations of the Bible. Chapter 13 tracks the escape route of the departing Hebrews from Egypt.
“And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led
them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was
near, for God said: Lest the people lose heart when they see war, and
they return to Egypt. But God led the people about, by the way of the
wilderness by the Red Sea. And the Children of Israel went up armed
out of the land of Egypt.”
Abravanel asks on a seemingly superfluous phrase in our verse that mentions Pharaoh: “And it came to
pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go.” The focal point of the verse, says Abravanel, is that God led
them out. Why repeat the fact that Pharaoh gave permission? This information can be gleaned from the
previous chapter.
Abravanel’s first response follows. From the first communication that God had with Moses at the
burning bush, the endgame had been to bring the Hebrews into the Promised Land. Of course, all
travelers to any given destination choose the most direct route. Economy is of essence. The Bible, then,
must explain why this expedient had been ignored. Why didn’t God lead His people along the Coastal
Route, through the land of the Philistines? Abravanel quotes an ancient travel guidebook: “The trip from
Egypt to Jerusalem takes eight days, if one travels via Ashkelon.”
“And it came to pass…that God led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, though that was
near…” Abravanel solves the mystery behind the Hebrew’s circuitous journey, as dictated by God. Bible
students, Abravanel says, should not draw the wrong conclusion. The Jews did not flee Egypt via the
desert route in order to throw off suspecting Egyptians, who likely would attempt to round them up and
force them back into slavery. Put differently, the Hebrews did not zigzag for purposes of misleading
Egyptians in their hot pursuit.
Our verse makes it plain that the Hebrews were not runaways or fugitives; Pharaoh sanctioned their
exit. “And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not by the way of the
Philistines…”
In sum, here is Abravanel’s answer. He writes that although the king granted the Hebrew permission to
leave, and although the Jews were not fugitives, still, there was a compelling reason behind the
Creator’s desire to have the nation shun the Coastal Route. “For God said: Lest the people lose heart
when they see war, and they return to Egypt.” God calculated that the Philistines would defend their
borders and fight the Jews, tooth and nail, to keep them out of their territory.
See Abravanel’s World for the full discussion and true reason behind God’s interest in leading the
Hebrews into the wilderness.
