Exodus 10

1 et dixit Dominus ad Mosen ingredere ad Pharao ego enim induravi cor eius et servorum illius ut faciam signa mea haec in eo
2 et narres in auribus filii tui et nepotum tuorum quotiens contriverim Aegyptios et signa mea fecerim in eis et sciatis quia ego Dominus
3 introierunt ergo Moses et Aaron ad Pharaonem et dixerunt ad eum haec dicit Dominus Deus Hebraeorum usquequo non vis subici mihi dimitte populum meum ut sacrificet mihi
4 sin autem resistis et non vis dimittere eum ecce ego inducam cras lucustam in fines tuos
5 quae operiat superficiem terrae nec quicquam eius appareat sed comedatur quod residuum fuit grandini conrodet enim omnia ligna quae germinant in agris
6 et implebunt domos tuas et servorum tuorum et omnium Aegyptiorum quantam non viderunt patres tui et avi ex quo orti sunt super terram usque in praesentem diem avertitque se et egressus est a Pharaone
7 dixerunt autem servi Pharaonis ad eum usquequo patiemur hoc scandalum dimitte homines ut sacrificent Domino Deo suo nonne vides quod perierit Aegyptus
8 revocaveruntque Mosen et Aaron ad Pharaonem qui dixit eis ite sacrificate Domino Deo vestro quinam sunt qui ituri sunt
9 ait Moses cum parvulis nostris et senibus pergemus cum filiis et filiabus cum ovibus et armentis est enim sollemnitas Domini nostri
10 et respondit sic Dominus sit vobiscum quomodo ego dimittam vos et parvulos vestros cui dubium est quod pessime cogitetis
11 non fiet ita sed ite tantum viri et sacrificate Domino hoc enim et ipsi petistis statimque eiecti sunt de conspectu Pharaonis
12 dixit autem Dominus ad Mosen extende manum tuam super terram Aegypti ad lucustam ut ascendat super eam et devoret omnem herbam quae residua fuit grandini
13 extendit Moses virgam super terram Aegypti et Dominus induxit ventum urentem tota illa die ac nocte et mane facto ventus urens levavit lucustas
14 quae ascenderunt super universam terram Aegypti et sederunt in cunctis finibus Aegyptiorum innumerabiles quales ante illud tempus non fuerant nec postea futurae sunt
15 operueruntque universam superficiem terrae vastantes omnia devorata est igitur herba terrae et quicquid pomorum in arboribus fuit quae grando dimiserat nihilque omnino virens relictum est in lignis et in herbis terrae in cuncta Aegypto
16 quam ob rem festinus Pharao vocavit Mosen et Aaron et dixit eis peccavi in Dominum Deum vestrum et in vos
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
28 dixitque Pharao ad eum recede a me cave ne ultra videas faciem meam quocumque die apparueris mihi morieris
29 respondit Moses ita fiat ut locutus es non videbo ultra faciem tuam

Exodus 10 Commentary

Chapter 10

The plague of locusts threatened, Pharaoh, moved by his servants, inclines to let the Israelites go. (1-11) The plague of locusts. (12-20) The plague of thick darkness. (21-29)

Verses 1-11 The plagues of Egypt show the sinfulness of sin. They warn the children of men not to strive with their Maker. Pharaoh had pretended to humble himself; but no account was made of it, for he was not sincere therein. The plague of locusts is threatened. This should be much worse than any of that kind which had ever been known. Pharaoh's attendants persuade him to come to terms with Moses. Hereupon Pharaoh will allow the men to go, falsely pretending that this was all they desired. He swears that they shall not remove their little ones. Satan does all he can to hinder those that serve God themselves, from bringing their children to serve him. He is a sworn enemy to early piety. Whatever would put us from engaging our children in God's service, we have reason to suspect Satan in it. Nor should the young forget that the Lord's counsel is, Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth; but Satan's counsel is, to keep children in a state of slavery to sin and to the world. Mark that the great foe of man wishes to retain him by the ties of affection, as Pharaoh would have taken hostages from the Israelites for their return, by holding their wives and children in captivity. Satan is willing to share our duty and our service with the Saviour, because the Saviour will not accept those terms.

Verses 12-20 God bids Moses stretch out his hand; locusts came at the call. An army might more easily have been resisted than this host of insects. Who then is able to stand before the great God? They covered the face of the earth, and ate up the fruit of it. Herbs grow for the service of man; yet when God pleases, insects shall plunder him, and eat the bread out of his mouth. Let our labour be, not for the habitation and meat thus exposed, but for those which endure to eternal life. Pharaoh employs Moses and Aaron to pray for him. There are those, who, in distress, seek the help of other people's prayers, but have no mind to pray for themselves. They show thereby that they have no true love to God, nor any delight in communion with him. Pharaoh desires only that this death might be taken away, not this sin. He wishes to get rid of the plague of locusts, not the plague of a hard heart, which was more dangerous. An east wind brought the locusts, a west wind carries them off. Whatever point the wind is in, it is fulfilling God's word, and turns by his counsel. The wind bloweth where it listeth, as to us; but not so as it respects God. It was also an argument for their repentance; for by this it appeared that God is ready to forgive, and swift to show mercy. If he does this upon the outward tokens of humiliation, what will he do if we are sincere! Oh that this goodness of God might lead us to repentance! Pharaoh returned to his resolution again, not to let the people go. Those who have often baffled their convictions, are justly given up to the lusts of their hearts.

Verses 21-29 The plague of darkness brought upon Egypt was a dreadful plague. It was darkness which might be felt, so thick were the fogs. It astonished and terrified. It continued three days; six nights in one; so long the most lightsome palaces were dungeons. Now Pharaoh had time to consider, if he would have improved it. Spiritual darkness is spiritual bondage; while Satan blinds men's eyes that they see not, he binds their hands and feet, that they work not for God, nor move toward heaven. They sit in darkness. It was righteous with God thus to punish. The blindness of their minds brought upon them this darkness of the air; never was mind so blinded as Pharaoh's, never was air so darkened as Egypt. Let us dread the consequences of sin; if three days of darkness were so dreadful, what will everlasting darkness be? The children of Israel, at the same time, had light in their dwellings. We must not think we share in common mercies as a matter of course, and therefore that we owe no thanks to God for them. It shows the particular favour he bears to his people. Wherever there is an Israelite indeed, though in this dark world, there is light, there is a child of light. When God made this difference between the Israelites and the Egyptians, who would not have preferred the poor cottage of an Israelite to the fine palace of an Egyptian? There is a real difference between the house of the wicked, which is under a curse, and the habitation of the just, which is blessed. Pharaoh renewed the treaty with Moses and Aaron, and consented they should take their little ones, but would have their cattle left. It is common for sinners to bargain with God Almighty; thus they try to mock him, but they deceive themselves. The terms of reconciliation with God are so fixed, that though men dispute them ever so long, they cannot possibly alter them, or bring them lower. We must come to the demand of God's will; we cannot expect he should condescend to the terms our lusts would make. With ourselves and our children, we must devote all our worldly possessions to the service of God; we know not what use he will make of any part of what we have. Pharaoh broke off the conference abruptly, and resolved to treat no more. Had he forgotten how often he had sent for Moses to ease him of his plagues? and must he now be bid to come no more? Vain malice! to threaten him with death, who was armed with such power! What will not hardness of heart, and contempt of God's word and commandments, bring men to! After this, Moses came no more till he was sent for. When men drive God's word from them, he justly gives them up to their own delusions.

Chapter Summary

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.

Exodus 10 Commentaries

The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.