Exodus 10:21-29

The Plague of Darkness

21 The LORD spoke to Moses. He said, "Reach out your hand toward the sky. Darkness will spread over Egypt. It will be so dark that people can feel it."
22 So Moses reached out his hand toward the sky. Then complete darkness covered Egypt for three days.
23 No one could see anyone else or go anywhere for three days. But all of the people of Israel had light where they lived.
24 Then Pharaoh sent for Moses. He said to him, "Go. Worship the Lord. Even your women and children can go with you. Just leave your flocks and herds behind."
25 But Moses said, "You must allow us to take animals to offer as sacrifices and burnt offerings to the LORD our God.
26 Our livestock must also go with us. We have to use some of them to worship the LORD our God. We can't leave even one animal behind. Until we get there, we won't know what we are supposed to use to worship the Lord."
27 But the LORD made Pharaoh's heart stubborn. So he wouldn't let the people go.
28 Pharaoh said to Moses, "Get out of my sight! Make sure you don't come to see me again! If you do, you will die."
29 "I'll do just as you say," Moses replied. "I will never come to see you again."

Exodus 10:21-29 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 10

This chapter is introduced with giving the reasons why the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, Ex 10:1,2. Moses and Aaron go in to him, and once more demanded in the name of the Lord the dismission of the people of Israel, and in case of refusal, threatened him with locusts being sent into his country, which should make terrible havoc in all his coasts, Ex 10:3-6, the servants of Pharaoh entreat him to let them go, upon which Moses and Aaron are brought in again, and treated with about the terms of their departure; but they, insisting upon taking all with them, men, women, and children, and flocks and herds, and Pharaoh not willing that any but men should go, they are drove from his presence in wrath, Ex 10:7-11 wherefore the locusts were brought on all the land, which made sad devastation in it, Ex 10:12-15, and this wrought on Pharaoh so far as to acknowledge his sin, pray for forgiveness, and to desire Moses and Aaron to entreat the Lord to remove the plague, which they did, and it was removed accordingly, but still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, Ex 10:16-20 then followed the plague of thick darkness over all the land for three days, which brought Pharaoh to yield that all should go with them excepting their flocks and herds; but Moses not only insisted that not a hoof should be left behind, but that Pharaoh should give them sacrifices and burnt offerings, Ex 10:21-26. Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he refused to comply, and Moses was bid to be gone, and take care never to see his face any more, and which Moses agreed to, Ex 10:27-29.

Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica.   All rights reserved worldwide.