Why does the Torah need to mention the fact that they caught up with Yisrael in front of Baal Tzefon?
Rashi (to Iyov 12:23): Because when Pharaoh saw Yisrael encamped in front of Baal Tzefon, 1 he thought that Baal Tzefon agreed to drown Yisrael in the sea, to conform to their original decree to drown all the baby boys that are born in the river.
"Vayasigu osam Chonim al ha'Yam".Why does the Torah insert the (otherwise superfluous) word "Chonim"?
Tagum Yonasan: To teach us that Yisrael were busy sollecting te pearls nd precious stones that the River Pishon had brought from Ga Eden to the River Gichon, which in turn had brought to the Yam-Suf and which the Yam-Suf had cast on to its banks.
