Lexical Summary Pi Hachiroth: Pi Hachiroth Original Word: פִּי הַחִרֹת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Pi-hahiroth From peh and the feminine plural of a noun (from the same root as chowr), with the article interpolated; mouth of the gorges; Pi-ha-Chiroth, a place in Egypt -- Pi-hahiroth. (In Numbers 14:19 without Pi-.) see HEBREW peh see HEBREW chowr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin Definition a place on the E. border of Eg. NASB Translation Hahiroth (1), Pi-hahiroth (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs מִּי הַחִירֹת proper name, of a location on east border of Egypt, Exodus 14:2,9 (ᵐ5 ἡ ἔπαυλις), Numbers 33:7 (E (π)ιρωθ) + Numbers 33:8 (read ׳מִמִּי ה ⅏ ᵑ6 ᵑ9 ᵑ7,) or ׳מִמְּנֵי פִי ה, for ᵑ0 ׳מִמְּנֵי ה, compare Di). Site unknown. פיד, פוד (√ of following; compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Geographic Setting Pi-hahiroth identifies a shoreline site on the route of the Exodus, “between Migdol and the sea…opposite Baal-zephon” (Exodus 14:2). The description locates it on a narrow strip bounded by water and high ground, a natural cul-de-sac that left the Israelites hemmed in when Pharaoh’s forces approached. Proposed locations range from the northern reaches of the Gulf of Suez to inlets at the Gulf of Aqaba, often at the mouth of a wadi (“gorge”) where cliffs form a bottleneck. Whatever the exact spot, Scripture’s topography portrays a place where retreat was humanly impossible and divine intervention indispensable. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Exodus 14:2 – Israel is commanded to camp before Pi-hahiroth. Role in the Exodus Narrative Pi-hahiroth forms the staging ground for the Red Sea crossing. The Lord instructs Moses to “turn back” (Exodus 14:2), deliberately placing the nation in what appears to be a strategic blunder. This maneuver lures Pharaoh into believing Israel is trapped, thus setting the scene for God’s climactic deliverance. The surrounding landmarks—Migdol (“tower”) and Baal-zephon—were associated with Egyptian military lookout posts and a Canaanite storm-god. By triumphing at this very site, the Lord publicly overturns both Egypt’s military might and its pantheon. Theological Themes Divine Sovereignty: Pi-hahiroth showcases God’s absolute control over geography, nations, and nature. He selects the place, times the pursuit, parts the waters, and destroys the enemy. Testing and Trust: Israel learns that obedience sometimes leads into greater danger before deliverance (compare 2 Corinthians 1:8-10). Victory over Idolatry: Facing Baal-zephon, the Lord proves Himself superior to every supposed sea or storm deity (Exodus 12:12; Numbers 33:4). Redemptive Typology: Passing “through the midst of the sea” (Numbers 33:8) prefigures the believer’s passage from bondage to freedom, later echoed in baptism imagery (1 Corinthians 10:1-2). Prophetic and Typological Foreshadowings • Salvation by Grace: As at Pi-hahiroth, deliverance is achieved entirely by God while His people “stand still” (Exodus 14:13-14). Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship 1. Strategic Obedience: God may direct believers into humanly illogical positions to display His glory. Archaeological and Historical Considerations No definitive ruins have been unearthed, yet the geographical markers in Exodus align with known Egyptian frontier defenses and caravan routes. The lack of a fixed site does not diminish the historicity of the event; rather, it underscores the text’s emphasis on God’s action over human monuments. Researchers continue to investigate Red Sea bathymetry, ancient shoreline shifts, and inscriptions referencing Baal-zephon, but Scripture itself remains the primary witness to Pi-hahiroth’s reality and significance. Enduring Significance Pi-hahiroth reminds every generation that apparent dead ends can become arenas of divine triumph. The same Lord who parted the sea there still leads, protects, and delivers all who trust Him. Forms and Transliterations הַֽחִירֹ֔ת הַחִירֹ֔ת החירת ha·ḥî·rōṯ hachiRot haḥîrōṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 14:2 HEB: לִפְנֵי֙ פִּ֣י הַחִירֹ֔ת בֵּ֥ין מִגְדֹּ֖ל NAS: before Pi-hahiroth, between KJV: before Pihahiroth, between Migdol INT: and camp before Pi-hahiroth between Migdol Exodus 14:9 Numbers 33:7 Numbers 33:8 4 Occurrences |
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