King James Version

What Does Exodus 8:29 Mean?

Exodus 8:29 in the King James Version says “And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.

Exodus 8:29 · KJV


Context

27

We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us.

28

And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me.

29

And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.

30

And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD.

31

And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 29 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 · 26 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 26

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֹשֶׁ֗ה2 of 26

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

הִנֵּ֨ה3 of 26
H2009

lo!

אָֽנֹכִ֜י4 of 26
H595

i

יוֹצֵ֤א5 of 26

Behold I go out

H3318

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

מֵֽעִמָּךְ֙6 of 26
H5973

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

וְהַעְתַּרְתִּ֣י7 of 26

from thee and I will intreat

H6279

to burn incense in worship, i.e., intercede (reciprocally, listen to prayer)

אֶל8 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לַֽיהוָֽה׃9 of 26

the LORD

H3068

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

וְסָ֣ר10 of 26

of flies may depart

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

הֶֽעָרֹ֗ב11 of 26

that the swarms

H6157

a mosquito (from its swarming)

פַּרְעֹה֙12 of 26

from Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

מֵֽעֲבָדָ֥יו13 of 26

from his servants

H5650

a servant

הָעָ֔ם14 of 26

and from his people

H5971

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

מָחָ֑ר15 of 26

to morrow

H4279

properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter

רַ֗ק16 of 26

but

H7535

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

אַל17 of 26
H408

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

יֹסֵ֤ף18 of 26

any more

H3254

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

פַּרְעֹה֙19 of 26

from Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

הָתֵ֔ל20 of 26

deal deceitfully

H2048

to deride; by implication, to cheat

לְבִלְתִּי֙21 of 26

in not

H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

שַׁלַּ֣ח22 of 26

go

H7971

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

אֶת23 of 26
H853

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

הָעָ֔ם24 of 26

and from his people

H5971

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

לִזְבֹּ֖חַ25 of 26

to sacrifice

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

לַֽיהוָֽה׃26 of 26

the LORD

H3068

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


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 8:29 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 8:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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