שמות יד:ג פירוש: רש״י, ספורנו, אור החיים ורשב״ם

ואמר פרעה THEN PHARAOH WILL SAY — when he hears that they are turning back.

סגר עליהם המדבר. A reference to the Egyptian deity Baal Tzefon whom Pharaoh credited with this accomplish- ment of halting the Israelites.

ואמר פרעה…. נבוכים הם בארץ, "and Pharaoh will say 'they are entangled in the land, etc.'" This would be Pharaoh's reaction when his spies brought him up-to-date on Israel's travels.