Exo 14:5 | NETfull | STEP | When it was reported to the king of Egypt that the people had fled, the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people, and the king and his servants said, “What in the world have we done? For we have released the people of Israel from serving us!”

Exodus 14:5

5 When it was reported ^{▼▼ Heb “and it was told.” The present translation uses “reported,” since this involves information given to a superior.} to the king of Egypt that the people had fled, ^{▼▼ The verb must be given a past perfect translation because the fleeing occurred before the telling.} the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people, and the king and his servants said, ^{▼▼ Heb “and they said.” The referent (the king and his servants) is supplied for clarity.} “What in the world have we done? ^{▼▼ The question literally is “What is this we have done?” The demonstrative pronoun is used as an enclitic particle for emphasis (R. J. Williams, Hebrew Syntax, 24, #118).} For we have released the people of Israel ^{▼▼ Heb “released Israel.” By metonymy the name of the nation is used collectively for the people who constitute it (the Israelites).} from serving us!”