King James Version

What Does Exodus 10:7 Mean?

Exodus 10:7 in the King James Version says “And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve th... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?

Exodus 10:7 · KJV


Context

5

And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field: face: Heb. eye

6

And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh.

7

And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?

8

And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? who: Heb. who and who, etc

9

And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 7 describes the locust plague, targeting Osiris (agriculture god) and Isis (grain goddess). Moses warns locusts will 'cover the face of the earth' and devour everything the hail left. Pharaoh's servants beg him to relent, recognizing Egypt's destruction.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Osiris ruled agriculture and resurrection, while Isis protected crops. Locusts were ancient Near Eastern terror, but this swarm's density exceeded natural plague. The total devastation left Egypt economically ruined.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God demonstrate His power through natural means taken to supernatural extremes?
  2. What does Pharaoh's servants' fear teach about recognizing God's hand in judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֩1 of 22

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עַבְדֵ֨י2 of 22

servants

H5650

a servant

פַרְעֹ֜ה3 of 22

And Pharaoh's

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

אֵלָ֗יו4 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עַד5 of 22
H5704

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

מָתַי֙6 of 22
H4970

properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle prefixes), when (either relative or interrogative)

יִֽהְיֶ֨ה7 of 22
H1961

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

זֶ֥ה8 of 22
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לָ֙נוּ֙9 of 22
H0
לְמוֹקֵ֔שׁ10 of 22

unto him How long shall this man be a snare

H4170

a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for the nose)

שַׁלַּח֙11 of 22

go

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶת12 of 22
H853

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

הָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים13 of 22
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וְיַֽעַבְד֖וּ14 of 22

that they may serve

H5647

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

אֶת15 of 22
H853

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

יְהוָ֣ה16 of 22

the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑ם17 of 22

their 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

הֲטֶ֣רֶם18 of 22

thou not yet

H2962

properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before

תֵּדַ֔ע19 of 22

knowest

H3045

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

כִּ֥י20 of 22
H3588

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

אָֽבְדָ֖ה21 of 22

is destroyed

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃22 of 22

that Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt


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 10:7 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 10:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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