King James Version

What Does Exodus 10:26 Mean?

Exodus 10:26 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Exodus 10:26 · KJV


Context

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.

27

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.

28

And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 26 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 24 words
וְגַם1 of 24
H1571

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

מִקְנֵ֜נוּ2 of 24

Our cattle

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

יֵלֵ֣ךְ3 of 24
H1980

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

עִמָּ֗נוּ4 of 24
H5973

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

לֹ֤א5 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִשָּׁאֵר֙6 of 24

be left behind

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

פַּרְסָ֔ה7 of 24

with us there shall not an hoof

H6541

a claw or split hoof

כִּ֚י8 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מִמֶּ֣נּוּ9 of 24
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

נִקַּ֔ח10 of 24

for thereof must we take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

נַּעֲבֹד֙11 of 24

not with what we must serve

H5647

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

אֶת12 of 24
H853

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

יְהוָ֔ה13 of 24

the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ14 of 24

our God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וַֽאֲנַ֣חְנוּ15 of 24
H587

we

לֹֽא16 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נֵדַ֗ע17 of 24

and we know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מַֽה18 of 24
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

נַּעֲבֹד֙19 of 24

not with what we must serve

H5647

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

אֶת20 of 24
H853

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

יְהוָ֔ה21 of 24

the LORD

H3068

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

עַד22 of 24
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

בֹּאֵ֖נוּ23 of 24

until we come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

שָֽׁמָּה׃24 of 24
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence


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 10:26 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 10:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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