Pharaoh's Boast at the Sea and the Curses He Spoke Unknowing

"And Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are confounded in the land" (Exodus 14:3). "Confounded [nevuchim]" means nothing other than bewildered, as it is said, "How the beast groans! The herds of cattle are confounded" (Joel 1:18). Another interpretation: "confounded" means nothing other than thrown into confusion, as it is said, "And the city of Shushan was confounded" (Esther 3:15). Another interpretation: "confounded." Pharaoh said, "Moses has led them astray and does not know where he is leading them"; "Nevo" refers to Moses, as it is said, "Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo" (Deuteronomy 32:49). Another interpretation: "confounded." Pharaoh said and did not know what he was saying—that Israel were destined to weep [yivku] in the wilderness, as it is said, "And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and the people wept that night" (Numbers 14:1). "The wilderness has shut them in." Pharaoh said and did not know what he was saying—that Israel were destined to fall in the wilderness, as it is said, "In this wilderness your carcasses shall fall" (Numbers 14:29). Another interpretation: "The wilderness has shut them in." Pharaoh said, "Baal-Zephon has gathered wild beasts against them, and they will not let them pass." And so it was: once Israel saw the sea shutting them in and the enemy pursuing, they lifted their eyes to the wilderness, and the Holy One, blessed be He, gathered wild beasts against them, and they would not let them pass, as it is said, "The wilderness has shut them in." "Shutting in" means nothing other than a wild beast, as it is said, "My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions" (Daniel 6:23).