Clogging their chariot wheels is based on the Septuagint and other early translations, for the Hebrew says “removing their chariot wheels.” (Note the Revised Standard Version footnote.) (See the comment on chariot at 14.9.) King James Version and New American Standard Bible have “he took off their chariot wheels,” but the rest of the verse indicates that the chariots could still move. Most translations have a footnote to explain that the ancient Greek version is being followed here. The context suggests that “He made the wheels of their chariots get stuck” (Good News Translation). This is the reading recommended by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project.

So that they drove heavily, literally “and he made them go in heaviness,” means that the chariots “moved with great difficulty” (Good News Translation), or “it was hard for them to move” (Contemporary English Version). They refers to the chariots, not to the drivers. Revised English Bible has “and made them drag along heavily.”

And the Egyptians said is literally “and Egypt said” (the verb is singular). This introduces what they said to one another, and in a number of languages it will be more natural to say something like “said to one another.” Let us flee from before Israel is too literal. New International Version‘s “Let’s get away from the Israelites!” is much better. Good News Translation‘s “Let’s get out of here!” is quite dynamic in English but will be a difficult model for many other languages. New International Version‘s model is simpler. (The word for flee is different from that used in verse 5 but the same as in verse 27.) For the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians uses the same verb as verse 14, but here the participle means that Yahweh is “the fighting one,” or “is fighting for the Israelites” (Good News Translation) and against Egypt. Since the Egyptians are the ones speaking, it is better to say “against us” (inclusive).

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .