They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.
Here is, I. The choice God made of their way, Exo 13:17, Exo 13:18. He was their guide. Moses gave them direction but as he received it from the Lord. Note, The way of man is not in himself, Jer 10:23. He may devise his way, and design it; but, after all, it is God that directs his steps, Pro 16:9.
Commenting on Exodus 13:17-22
And they took their journey from Succoth,.... On the second day, as Jarchi observes, from their coming out of Egypt, which was the sixteenth of Nisan: and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness which had its name from it, and was called the wilderness of Etham, Num 33:8. Etham is said to be eight miles from Succoth (s).
JOURNEY FROM EGYPT. (Exo 13:17-21) God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near, &c.--The shortest and most direct route from Egypt to Palestine was the usual caravan road that leads by Belbeis, El-Arish, to Ascalon and Gaza.
Commenting on Exodus 13:17-21