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of it for the others' destruction。 As soon； therefore； as ever
the whole Egyptian army was within it； the sea flowed to its own
place； and came down with a torrent raised by storms of wind；
（30） and encompassed the Egyptians。 Showers of rain also came
down from the sky； and dreadful thunders and lightning； with
flashes of fire。 Thunderbolts also were darted upon them。 Nor was
there any thing which used to be sent by God upon men； as
indications of his wrath； which did not happen at this time； for
a dark and dismal night oppressed them。 And thus did all these
men perish； so that there was not one man left to be a messenger
of this calamity to the rest of the Egyptians。
4。 But the Hebrews were not able to contain themselves for joy at
their wonderful deliverance； and destruction of their enemies；
now indeed supposing themselves firmly delivered； when those that
would have forced them into slavery were destroyed； and when they
found they had God so evidently for their protector。 And now
these Hebrews having escaped the danger they were in； after this
manner； and besides that； seeing their enemies punished in such a
way as is never recorded of any other men whomsoever； were all
the night employed in singing of hymns； and in mirth。 （31） Moses
also composed a song unto God； containing his praises； and a
thanksgiving for his kindness； in hexameter verse。 （32）
5。 As for myself； I have delivered every part of this history as
I found it in the sacred books； nor let any one wonder at the
strangeness of the narration if a way were discovered to those
men of old time； who were free from the wickedness of the modern
ages； whether it happened by the will of God or whether it
happened of its own accord； … while； for the sake of those that
accompanied Alexander； king of Macedonia； who yet lived；
comparatively but a little while ago； the Pamphylian Sea retired
and afforded them a passage （33） through itself； had no other way
to go； I mean； when it was the will of God to destroy the
monarchy of the Persians： and this is confessed to be true by all
that have written about the actions of Alexander。 But as to these
events； let every one determine as he pleases。
6。 On the next day Moses gathered together the weapons of the
Egyptians； which were brought to the camp of the Hebrews by the
current of the sea； and the force of the winds resisting it； and
he conjectured that this also happened by Divine Providence； that
so they might not be destitute of weapons。 So when he had ordered
the Hebrews to arm themselves with them； he led them to Mount
Sinai； in order to offer sacrifice to God； and to render
oblations for the salvation of the multitude； as he was charged
to do beforehand。
BOOK III。
Containing The Interval Of Two Years。
From The Exodus Out Of Egypt； To The Rejection Of That
Generation。
CHAPTER 1。
How Moses When He Had Brought The People Out Of Egypt Led Them To
Mount Sinai； But Not Till They Had Suffered Much In Their
Journey。
1。 When the Hebrews had obtained such a wonderful deliverance；
the country was a great trouble to them； for it was entirely a
desert； and without
sustenance for them； and also had exceeding little water； so that
it not only was not at all sufficient for the men； but not enough
to feed any of the cattle； for it was parched up； and had no
moisture that might afford nutriment to the vegetables； so they
were forced to travel over this country； as having no other
country but this to travel in。 They had indeed carried water
along with them from the land over which they had traveled
before； as their conductor had bidden them； but when that was
spent； they were obliged to draw water out of wells； with pain；
by reason of the hardness of the soil。 Moreover； what water they
found was bitter； and not fit for drinking； and this in small
quantities also； and as they thus traveled； they came late in the
evening to a place called Marah； （1） which had that name from the
badness of its water； for Mar denotes bitterness。 Thither they
came afflicted both by the tediousness of their journey； and by
their want of food； for it entirely failed them at that time。 Now
here was a well； which made them choose to stay in the place；
which； although it were not sufficient to satisfy so great an
army； did yet afford them some comfort； as found in such desert
places； for they heard from those who had been to search； that
there was nothing to be found； if they traveled on farther。 Yet
was this water bitter； and not fit for men to drink； and not only
so； but it was intolerable even to the cattle themselves。
2。 When Moses saw how much the people were cast down； and that
the occasion of it could not be contradicted； for the people were
not in the nature of a complete army of men； who might oppose a
manly fortitude to the necessity that distressed them； the
multitude of the children； and of the women also； being of too
weak capacities to be persuaded by reason； blunted the courage of
the men themselves； … he was therefore in great difficulties； and
made everybody's calamity his own； for they ran all of them to
him； and begged of him； the women begged for their infants； and
the men for the women； that he would not overlook them； but
procure some way or other for their deliverance。 He therefore
betook himself to prayer to God； that he would change the water
from its present badness； and make it fit for drinking。 And when
God had granted him that favor； he took the top of a stick that
lay down at his feet； and divided it in the middle； and made the
section lengthways。 He then let it down into the well； and
persuaded the Hebrews that God had hearkened to his prayers； and
had promised to render the water such as they desired it to be；
in case they would be subservient to him in what he should enjoin
them to do； and this not after a remiss or negligent manner。 And
when they asked what they were to do in order to have the water
changed for the better； he bid the strongest men among them that
stood there； to draw up water （2） and told them； that when the
greatest part was drawn up； the remainder would be fit to drink。
So they labored at it till the water was so agitated and purged
as to be fit to drink。
3。 And now removing from thence they came to Elim； which place
looked well at a distance； for there was a grove of palm…trees；
but when they came near to it； it appeared to be a bad place； for
the palm…trees were no more than seventy； and they were ill…grown
and creeping trees； by the want of water； for the country about
was all parched； and no moisture sufficient to water them； and
make them hopeful and useful； was derived to them from the
fountains； which were in number twelve： they were rather a few
moist places than springs； which not breaking out of the ground；
nor running over； could not sufficiently water the trees。 And
when they dug into the sand； they met with no water； and if they
took a few drops of it into their hands； they found it to be
useless； on account of its mud。 The trees were too weak to bear
fruit； for want of being sufficiently cherished and enlivened by
the water。 So they laid the blame on their conductor； and