Exodus 3:20

20 But I will use my power and will punish Egypt by doing terrifying things there. After that he will let you go.

Exodus 3:20 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 3:20

And I will stretch out my hand
Or "therefore" ^F5 he would stretch out his mighty hand, exert his almighty power; and for this purpose was Pharaoh raised up, and his heart hardened, that God might show his power in him, and on him: and smite Egypt with all my wonders, which I will do in the midst
thereof:
with those wondrous plagues, the amazing effects of his almighty power, which were wrought by him in the midst of Egypt, by which their land, their rivers, their persons, and their cattle, were smitten: and after that he will let you go;
this is said for their encouragement, that their faith and patience might hold out, who otherwise seeing him so obstinate and inflexible, might be ready to despair of ever succeeding.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F5 (w) "ideo", "propterea", Noldius, p. 279.

Exodus 3:20 In-Context

18 "My people will listen to what you say to them. Then you must go with the leaders of Israel to the king of Egypt and say to him, "The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has revealed himself to us. Now allow us to travel three days into the desert to offer sacrifices to the Lord, our God.'

19 I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless he is forced to do so.

20 But I will use my power and will punish Egypt by doing terrifying things there. After that he will let you go.

21 "I will make the Egyptians respect you so that when my people leave, they will not go empty-handed.

22 Every Israelite woman will go to her Egyptian neighbors and to any Egyptian woman living in her house and will ask for clothing and for gold and silver jewelry. The Israelites will put these things on their sons and daughters and carry away the wealth of the Egyptians."