King James Version

What Does Exodus 10:24 Mean?

Exodus 10:24 in the King James Version says “And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.

Exodus 10:24 · KJV


Context

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.

24

And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.

25

And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. us: Heb. into our hands

26

Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 24 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 · 17 words
וַיִּקְרָ֨א1 of 17

called

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

פַרְעֹ֜ה2 of 17

And Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

אֶל3 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֗ה4 of 17

unto Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙5 of 17

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְכוּ֙6 of 17
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עִבְד֣וּ7 of 17

ye serve

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֶת8 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֔ה9 of 17

the LORD

H3068

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

רַ֛ק10 of 17
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

צֹֽאנְכֶ֥ם11 of 17

only let your flocks

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וּבְקַרְכֶ֖ם12 of 17

and your herds

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

יֻצָּ֑ג13 of 17

be stayed

H3322

to place permanently

גַּֽם14 of 17
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

טַפְּכֶ֖ם15 of 17

let your little ones

H2945

a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)

יֵלֵ֥ךְ16 of 17
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עִמָּכֶֽם׃17 of 17
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then


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 10:24 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 10:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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