King James Version

What Does Exodus 8:20 Mean?

Exodus 8:20 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Exodus 8:20 · KJV


Context

18

And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.

19

Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

20

And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

21

Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. swarms: or, a mixture of noisome beasts, etc

22

And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 20 describes the plague of flies (עָרֹב, arov—swarms), with crucial distinction: Goshen is protected. God says 'I will sever... the land of Goshen' (v.22), demonstrating selective judgment. This plague may target Khepri, scarab beetle god representing resurrection and transformation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Khepri, the scarab-headed god, symbolized the rising sun and transformation. The distinction between Egypt and Goshen shows this is not natural disaster but divine judgment. God's protection of His people proves His sovereignty.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's protection of His people encourage you in judgment?
  2. What does the Egypt-Goshen distinction teach about being 'in the world but not of it'?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
אָמַ֣ר1 of 20

and say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה2 of 20

And the LORD

H3068

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

אֶל3 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֗ה4 of 20

unto Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

הַשְׁכֵּ֤ם5 of 20

Rise up early

H7925

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

בַּבֹּ֙קֶר֙6 of 20

in the morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

וְהִתְיַצֵּב֙7 of 20

and stand

H3320

to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue

לִפְנֵ֣י8 of 20

before

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

פַרְעֹ֔ה9 of 20

Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

הִנֵּ֖ה10 of 20
H2009

lo!

יוֹצֵ֣א11 of 20

lo he cometh forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

הַמָּ֑יְמָה12 of 20

to the water

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

אָמַ֣ר13 of 20

and say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֗יו14 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כֹּ֚ה15 of 20
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר16 of 20

and say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה17 of 20

And the LORD

H3068

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

שַׁלַּ֥ח18 of 20

go

H7971

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

עַמִּ֖י19 of 20

Let my people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְיַֽעַבְדֻֽנִי׃20 of 20

that they may serve

H5647

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


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 8:20 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 8:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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