Exodus 9:21
ESV
but whoever did not pay attention to the word of the Lord left his slaves and his livestock in the field.
NIV
But those who ignored the word of the Lord left their slaves and livestock in the field.
NASB
but everyone who did not pay regard to the word of the Lord left his servants and his livestock in the field.
CSB
but those who didn’t take to heart the Lord’s word left their servants and livestock in the field.
NLT
But those who paid no attention to the word of the Lord left theirs out in the open.
KJV
And he that regarded not the word of the Lord left his servants and his cattle in the field.
NKJV
But he who did not regard the word of the Lord left his servants and his livestock in the field.
What does Exodus 9:21 mean?
God has repeatedly commanded Pharaoh to release the Hebrew slaves (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 21; 9:1). Pharaoh has repeatedly refused (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7). As a result, Egypt suffered numerous disasters (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10). These are clearly divine (Exodus 8:19) and meant to prove the power of the Israelite God. Moses announces the threat of a seventh plague (Exodus 9:18), but also advice. Those who take shelter can avoid losing animals and servants (Exodus 9:19). Some of the Egyptians wisely chose to follow this guidance (Exodus 9:20), but some do not. Those who refuse to "fear" God (Proverbs 1:7) even now will suffer great losses (Exodus 9:22–26).The phrase "the word of the Lord" is significant. Though a common expression in the Old Testament, the phrase only appears twice in the book of Exodus. Both are in this passage (Exodus 9:20). The book of Genesis uses this phrase only twice, as well, when God explains His covenant to Abraham (Genesis 15:1, 4). Later books make more use of the expression as they record the laws given to Israel. The term is often tied to warnings about disobedience (Numbers 3:16, 51; 15:31; 24:13; 36:5, Deuteronomy 5:5; 34:5).
Exodus 9:13–26 explains the seventh plague on Egypt (Exodus 3:20). Because Pharaoh has stubbornly resisted the Lord (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7), God has begun to harden Pharaoh's heart as a means of judgment (Exodus 9:12). Moses offers a warning for Egyptians to take shelter against a coming storm. Some listen, others do not. God sends a terrifying, brutal storm of hail and lightning that kills everything and everyone in the open fields. Only the Hebrew land of Goshen is spared.
After four devastating plagues, Pharaoh continues to resist God's command to free the Hebrew slaves. Through Moses, the Lord sends two more: death of Egyptian livestock and an epidemic of skin lesions. Pharoah refuses to respond to the first, and God makes him stubborn after the second. This leads to the most terrifying sign yet: the seventh plague of hail and fire. Pharoah claims to repent. Yet as soon as the hail stops, he again chooses obstinance. After this, the Lord will use Pharaoh as a tool to demonstrate divine judgment.
