Exo 13:17-18, 14:9, Num 33:7-8 | ESV | STEP | When Pharaoh let the people go , God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines , although that was near . For God said , Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt .

Exodus 13:17-18

Pillars of Cloud and Fire

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did ^anot lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people ^bchange their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” 18 But God ^cled the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.

Exodus 14:9

9 The ^dEgyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them ^eencamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.

Numbers 33:7-8

7 And they set out from Etham and turned back to ^fPi-hahiroth, which is east of Baal-zephon, and they camped before Migdol. 8 And they set out from before Hahiroth ^{▼▼Some manuscripts and versions Pi-hahiroth} and ^hpassed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and they ⁱwent a three days’ journey in the wilderness of Etham and camped at Marah.