Exodus 8:20

20 The LORD said to Moshe, "Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Par`oh; behold, he comes forth to the water; and tell him, 'This is what the LORD says, "Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Exodus 8:20 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 8:20

And the Lord said unto Moses, rise up early in the morning,
&c.] Of the day following, the twenty eight of Adar, or February, according to Bishop Usher; this was the fittest time to meet with Pharaoh, and the most likely to make impressions on him:

and stand before Pharaoh:
meet him as he comes along, and stop him, and stand before him as having something to say to him; this was using great boldness and freedom with a king; but as Moses was ordered to do it by the King of kings, it became him to obey him:

lo, he cometh forth to the water; (See Gill on Exodus 7:15)

and say unto him, thus saith the Lord, let my people go, that they may
serve me;
which had often been required before, but to no purpose, and in case of refusal he is threatened as follows.

Exodus 8:20 In-Context

18 The magicians tried with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they couldn't. There were lice on man, and on animal.

19 Then the magicians said to Par`oh, "This is the finger of God:" and Par`oh's heart was hardened, and he didn't listen to them; as the LORD had spoken.

20 The LORD said to Moshe, "Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Par`oh; behold, he comes forth to the water; and tell him, 'This is what the LORD says, "Let my people go, that they may serve me.

21 Else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you, and on your servants, and on your people, and into your houses: and the houses of the Mitzrim shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.

22 I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the eretz.