Exodus 10:20-29

20 And the Lord made hard the heart of Pharaoh, and he let not go the sons of Israel. (But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and still he would not let the Israelites go.)

21 Forsooth the Lord said to Moses, Hold forth thine hand into heaven (Stretch forth thy hand toward the heavens), and (let) darkness/es be on (all) the land of Egypt, so thick that they may be groped.

22 And Moses held forth his hand into heaven, and horrible darknesses were made in all the land of Egypt; (And Moses stretched forth his hand toward the heavens, and a horrible darkness came upon all the land of Egypt;)

23 and in three days no man saw his brother, neither moved himself from that place in which he was. Wherever the children of Israel dwelled, light was. (and for three days no one saw their brother, nor moved themselves from where they were. But there was light wherever the Israelites were.)

24 And Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron, and said to them, Go ye, make ye sacrifice to the Lord; only your sheep and your great beasts dwell still; your little children go with you. (And Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, Go ye, and worship the Lord; your sheep and your great beasts must stay here, but even your little children can go with you.)

25 And Moses said, Also thou shalt give to us offerings and burnt sacrifices, which we shall offer to our Lord God; (And Moses said, Then shalt thou give us the offerings, and the burnt sacrifices, which we shall offer to the Lord our God?)

26 (nay!) all the flocks shall go with us, for a claw shall not dwell of those things, that be needful into the worshipping of our Lord God, mostly since we know not what oughteth to be offered, till we come to that place.

27 Forsooth the Lord made hard the heart of Pharaoh, and he would not deliver them. (But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.)

28 And Pharaoh said to Moses, Go away from me, and beware that thou see no more my face; in whatever day thou shalt appear to me, thou shalt die. (And Pharaoh said to Moses, Go away from me, and beware that thou do not see my face again; for on whatever day thou shalt appear before me, thou shalt die.)

29 Moses answered, Be it done so, as thou hast spoken; I shall no more see thy face. (Moses answered, Let it be done as thou hast spoken; I shall not see thy face again.)

Exodus 10:20-29 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.