Exodus 3:19

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

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.

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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 I have decided that I will bring them out of Egypt, where they are being treated cruelly, and will take them to a rich and fertile land - the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

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.