Knew. God foresaw the malice of the Egyptians against his people, but as not the author of it. (Worthington)
Care. Literally, “solicitude,” (Haydock) so that they would not allow them time to prepare victuals.
Necessity. God permitted them to be blinded by their own obstinacy. (Calmet) — They rushed headlong into the channel of the Red Sea. (Haydock)
Beginning. It seemed susceptible of any form; and the elements appeared to be of another nature. The fire burnt in water, the sea retired, &c., chap. v. 21., and xvi. 24.
Field. Like a meadow, (Calmet) germinans, “growing grass.” (Septuagint) (Haydock) — Pliny ([Natural History?] xiii. 25.) attests, that “the Red Sea, and all the eastern ocean, are full of wood.” The Hebrews passed with as much ease as in a desert, (Psalm cv. 9., and Isaias lxiii. 13.) or place of pasture, while the sea seemed to be in quest of other channels. (Calmet) (Genesis i. 9.) (Haydock)
Thunders. Which took place at the destruction of Sodom, for their warning. (Calmet)
In another. Literally, “but there was another respect (or punishment) of them, because unwillingly they received strangers,” Genesis xix. 1. (Haydock) — The Amorrhites would not admit the Israelites, Numbers xxi. 21. (Worthington)
Laws. Or “rights,” justitiis. The Hebrews acknowledged the civil authority (Menochius) of Pharao, though they adopted not his religion, chap. xviii. 4. (Haydock)