Final answer:
In response to realizing the Egyptian army was chasing them, the Israelites expressed fear and doubted Moses' leadership, preferring slavery over death in the desert, as described in the biblical Book of Exodus. The background provided reflects on the Hebrews' enslavement, flight from Egypt, and eventual settlement in Canaan.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to a biblical and historical event known as the Exodus, where the Israelites, led by Moses, fled from their bondage in Egypt and were pursued by the Egyptian army. While the text provided does not explicitly mention the Israelites' reaction when they realized the Egyptian army was chasing them, the Book of Exodus in the Bible (which the question seems to be referencing) describes the Israelites as being fearful and doubting Moses' leadership when they saw the Egyptians approaching. Specifically, in Exodus 14:10-12, the Israelites express fear and lament their situation, telling Moses it would have been better to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert. The historical context provided in the text references several biblical events and details surrounding the Hebrews ' time in Egypt, their escape, and subsequent events as they journeyed to the Promised Land of Canaan. The provided references show that throughout their history, the Israelites experienced various trials, including battles and divine interventions. Their time in Egypt started peacefully during the rule of the Hyksos but later turned into enslavement under the New Kingdom. The ultimate liberation of the Hebrews, with the help of divine plagues and guidance from
Moses , was followed by a nomadic existence and finally, the settlement in Canaan under the leadership of Joshua.