The word here translated “took off” may also be rendered “gave away,” meaning perhaps that the wheels sank into the sand up to the axles, to be extricated again only with difficulty and to sink in once more a few yards farther on. The RSV, following the LXX and other versions, speaks of God “clogging their chariot wheels.” The Egyptians were still able to drive their chariots, but “drave them heavily.” This would imply that although the wheels had not been lost, they were not functioning properly (see 4T 25).

 The miraculous darkness which had at first separated them from the Israelites (v. 20), the mysterious opening of a pathway through the Red Sea, the heavy thunderstorm, and finally the difficult going, brought the Egyptians to the belated realization that the God of the Hebrews was actively aiding His people and effectively obstructing their own advance. Convinced that it was no use to further persevere in a mission apparently doomed to failure, they began their retreat.