Exodus 10:17-27

17 sed nunc dimittite peccatum mihi etiam hac vice et rogate Dominum Deum vestrum ut auferat a me mortem istam
18 egressusque est de conspectu Pharaonis et oravit Dominum
19 qui flare fecit ventum ab occidente vehementissimum et arreptam lucustam proiecit in mare Rubrum non remansit ne una quidem in cunctis finibus Aegypti
20 et induravit Dominus cor Pharaonis nec dimisit filios Israhel
21 dixit autem Dominus ad Mosen extende manum tuam in caelum et sint tenebrae super terram Aegypti tam densae ut palpari queant
22 extendit Moses manum in caelum et factae sunt tenebrae horribiles in universa terra Aegypti tribus diebus
23 nemo vidit fratrem suum nec movit se de loco in quo erat ubicumque autem habitabant filii Israhel lux erat
24 vocavitque Pharao Mosen et Aaron et dixit eis ite sacrificate Domino oves tantum vestrae et armenta remaneant parvuli vestri eant vobiscum
25 ait Moses hostias quoque et holocausta dabis nobis quae offeramus Domino Deo nostro
26 cuncti greges pergent nobiscum non remanebit ex eis ungula quae necessaria sunt in cultum Domini Dei nostri praesertim cum ignoremus quid debeat immolari donec ad ipsum locum perveniamus
27 induravit autem Dominus cor Pharaonis et noluit dimittere eos

Exodus 10:17-27 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.

The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.