Exodus 3:19

19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him.

Exodus 3:19 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
19 And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand.
New Living Translation (NLT)
19 “But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand forces him.
The Message Bible (MSG)
19 "I know that the king of Egypt won't let you go unless forced to,
American Standard Version (ASV)
19 And I know that the king of Egypt will not give you leave to go, no, not by a mighty hand.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
19 I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go, even if he is forced to.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
19 "However, I know that the king of Egypt will not allow you to go, unless [he is forced] by a strong hand.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
19 "But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you and your people go. Only a mighty hand could make him do that.

Exodus 3:19 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 3:19

And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go
Or "but" F3 "I am sure" though so reasonable a request was made him, yet it would not be granted; this is observed to them, that they might not be discouraged when he should refuse to dismiss them, which the omniscient God knew beforehand, and acquaints them with it, that, when it came to pass, they might be induced to believe that the mission of Moses was of God, rather than the contrary: no, not by a mighty hand;
the mighty power of God displayed once and again, even in nine plagues inflicted on him, until the tenth and last came upon him; or "unless by a mighty hand" F4, even the almighty hand of God; prayers, entreaties, persuasions, and arguments, will signify nothing, unless the mighty power of God is exerted upon him.


FOOTNOTES:

F3 (yna) "ego autem", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "sed ego", V. L.
F4 (alw) (ean mh) Sept. "nisi", V. L. Pagninus, Vatablus; so Noldius, p. 344. No. 1246.

Exodus 3:19 In-Context

17 And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’
18 “The elders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God.’
19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him.
20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.
21 “And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Exodus 4:21; Exodus 5:2; Exodus 6:6; Exodus 7:3; Exodus 10:1; Exodus 11:9; Deuteronomy 4:34; 2 Chronicles 6:32
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.