King James Version

What Does Exodus 10:28 Mean?

Exodus 10:28 in the King James Version says “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 fa... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Exodus 10:28 · KJV


Context

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.

29

And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 28 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 · 16 words
וַיֹּֽאמֶר1 of 16

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֥וֹ2 of 16
H0
פַרְעֹ֖ה3 of 16

And Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

לֵ֣ךְ4 of 16
H1980

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

מֵֽעָלָ֑י5 of 16
H5921

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

הִשָּׁ֣מֶר6 of 16

thee from me take heed

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

לְךָ֗7 of 16
H0
אֶל8 of 16
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תֹּ֙סֶף֙9 of 16

no more

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

רְאֹֽתְךָ֥10 of 16

thou seest

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

פָנַ֖י11 of 16

my face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

כִּ֗י12 of 16
H3588

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

בְּי֛וֹם13 of 16

for in that day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

רְאֹֽתְךָ֥14 of 16

thou seest

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

פָנַ֖י15 of 16

my face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

תָּמֽוּת׃16 of 16

thou shalt die

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill


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 10:28 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 10:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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