12:13

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

13a But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt,

13b and by a prophet he was preserved.

This verse is the second part of the comparison/contrast of Jacob to prophets from 12:12. In Hebrew, 13a and 13b both start with the same phrase, literally “and by a prophet.” This phrase parallels the phrase “for a wife” in 12:12. The similar Hebrew grammatical forms is one indicator that this verse is connected to the previous one.

The New Living Translation (2004) adds the words “Then” and “Jacob’s descendants” to make the connection to 12:12 more explicit:

Then by a prophet the Lord brought Jacob’s descendants out of Egypt; and by that prophet they were protected. (New Living Translation (2004))

Use a natural way in your language to indicate the connection of this verse to 12:12.

12:13a

But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt: This sentence refers to Moses, but it leaves the prophet’s name implied. It may be preferable to do the same in your translation. Here Moses is one example that shows how the LORD uses prophets to guide and care for Israel throughout its history.

12:13b

and by a prophet he was preserved: This clause may also refer to Moses. However, it could refer to another prophet, such as Samuel. It is preferable to leave the name of the prophet implied in your translation, as in 13a.

he was preserved: This phase is more literally “he was kept.” The Hebrew word for “he was kept” is a form of the same word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “he tended (sheep)” in 12:12. The repetition of this word is a further indication that these two verses are closely connected.

Here the Hebrew word refers to the LORD’s care of the nation of Israel through Moses and other prophets.

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