Exodus 14:3
For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.
For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel,.... The Septuagint version adds, "to his people", his ministers and courtiers, when he hears where they are:
They are entangled in the land; have lost their way, and got into places they cannot easily get out of, and are perplexed in their minds, and do not know what way to take or course to steer:
the wilderness hath shut them in; or, "shut up the way to them" {n}; the wilderness between the mountains the above mentioned traveller speaks of {o} the mountains of Gewoubee; these would stop their flight or progress to the southward, as those of the Attackah would do the same towards the land of the Philistines; the Red sea likewise lay before them to the east, while Pharaoh (could) close up the valley behind them, with his chariots and his horsemen; and which, no doubt, appeared very advantageous and encouraging to him, as it must be very distressing to the Israelites.
{n} Mhyle rgo "clausit viam illis", Pagninus, "praeclusit sese illis", Vatablus.
{o} Dr. Shaw's Travels, p. 309. Ed. 2.