Pharaoh collected his forces, "six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt," horsemen, captains, and foot soldiers. The king himself, attended by the great men of his realm, headed the attacking army. To secure the favor of the gods, and thus ensure the success of their undertaking, the priests also accompanied them. The king was resolved to intimidate the Israelites by a grand display of his power. The Egyptians feared lest their forced submission to the God of Israel should subject them to the derision of other nations; but if they should now go forth with a great show of power and bring back the fugitives, they would redeem their glory, as well as recover the services of their bondmen.

Farao samlede sine styrker "600 udsøgte stridsvogne og alle Ægyptens krigsvogne," ryttere, vognkæmpere og fodfolk. Kongen ledede selv den angribende hær, fulgt af rigets mægtige mænd. For at sikre gudernes gunst og dermed et lykkeligt udfald var præsterne også med. Kongen var besluttet på at skræmme israelitterne ved at stille sin store magt til skue. Ægypterne frygtede, at deres påtvungne underkastelse under Israels Gud skulle udsætte dem for andre nationers hån; men hvis de nu med et stort opbud af magt kunne drage ud og bringe flygtningene tilbage, ville de redde æren og igen få trællene i deres tjeneste.