King James Version

What Does Exodus 10:21 Mean?

Exodus 10:21 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, e... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. even: Heb. that one may feel darkness

Exodus 10:21 · KJV


Context

19

And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt. cast: Heb. fastened

20

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.

21

And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. even: Heb. that one may feel darkness

22

And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:

23

They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 21 introduces the plague of darkness, directly targeting Ra, Egypt's supreme sun god. Darkness covered Egypt for three days—'darkness which may be felt' (v.21)—while Israel had light in Goshen. This penultimate plague strikes at Egypt's chief deity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ra, the sun god, was Pharaoh's divine father and Egypt's supreme deity. His daily journey across sky sustained cosmic order (ma'at). Three days of darkness demonstrated Ra's impotence and YHWH's absolute supremacy over Egypt's highest god.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this plague reveal the ultimate showdown between YHWH and Egypt's gods?
  2. What does the light in Goshen symbolize about God's people?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 15

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה2 of 15

And the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל3 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֗ה4 of 15

unto Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

נְטֵ֤ה5 of 15

Stretch out

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

יָֽדְךָ֙6 of 15

thine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עַל7 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם8 of 15

toward heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וִ֥יהִי9 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃10 of 15

even darkness

H2822

the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

עַל11 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֶ֣רֶץ12 of 15

over the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָ֑יִם13 of 15

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְיָמֵ֖שׁ14 of 15

which may be felt

H4959

to feel of; by implication, to grope

חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃15 of 15

even darkness

H2822

the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 10:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 10:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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