Exodus 10:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh and said to him, "Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me.

NIV: So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, "This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, so that they may worship me.

NASB: So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, 'This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may serve Me.

CSB: So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh and told him, "This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may worship me.

NLT: So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, 'This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: How long will you refuse to submit to me? Let my people go, so they can worship me.

KJV: And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

NKJV: So Moses and Aaron came in to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me.

Though they already know the outcome (Exodus 10:1) and God's reasons (Exodus 10:2), Moses and Aaron faithfully obey. They return to Pharaoh to deliver another demand (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 21; 9:1, 13), which they know will be rejected. Pharaoh has been obstinate (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 35) and even spiteful (Exodus 5:9, 17–19) to the Israelites his country enslaved (Exodus 1:11–14). Now, he is being forced into further stubbornness; this is judgment and an example to the rest of the world.

The expression "God of the Hebrews" is only found in the book of Exodus. It seems to be used mostly to speak of how Pharoah and other Egyptians defined the Israelites. This is the sixth and final time the phrase will be used (Exodus 3:18; 5:3; 7:16; 9:1, 13). Pharaoh has seen the impotence of numerous Egyptian gods, none of whom could prevent the God of the Hebrews from controlling weather, health, and animals. Yet he continues to think himself more powerful and more important than the Lord worshipped by men like Moses and Aaron.

Exodus 10:1–11 sets up the eighth of ten plagues which God has sent to prove His power to all generations. Moses once again delivers the Lord's command that Egypt release the Hebrew slaves. But Pharaoh is even more stubborn than usual, as God's punishment for his constant disobedience. By now, even Pharaoh's advisors recognize the power they are facing. They encourage negotiation. Pharaoh agrees to let only the male Hebrews leave for worship—then sends Moses away when this is not accepted.

Moses warns Pharaoh that an eighth plague will come if the Hebrew slaves are not set free. This will be the worst locust invasion the nation will ever see. Pharaoh's advisors beg him to negotiate. He offers to release only Israelite men, which Moses rejects. The locust plague eradicates everything that survived the earlier hailstorm. Pharaoh pleads for relief, only to break his promise once again when the danger has passed. Next come three days of intense darkness. Pharaoh once again tries to arrange a partial release. When Moses refuses, Pharaoh threatens to kill him if he ever comes back.

Seven times, God has sent supernatural judgment against the nation of Egypt (Exodus 7—9). Each time, Pharaoh has refused to obey God's command to release the Israelite slaves. As a result, God will no longer give Pharaoh the ability to repent (Proverbs 29:1). Despite an epic, devastating locust invasion and three days of darkness, Pharaoh still refuses to submit. Rather, he threatens Moses with death. This will lead Moses to predict the last and worst of the ten plagues (Exodus 11). The tragic death of Egypt's firstborn during the Passover (Exodus 12) will finally lead to Israelite freedom.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.