*In this chapter we see God's patient persistence, reminding us that even when hearts seem stubborn, His purpose prevails. As Moses stands before Pharaoh, we are invited to trust that God's plan unfolds beyond our sight. The locusts and darkness reveal a God who brings both judgment and mercy, guiding His people toward freedom. Let this chapter stir in us a deeper reliance on divine grace, knowing that every trial is woven into His redemptive story.*
Exodus — Chapter 10 — KJV
1
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him:
Simply PutGod tells Moses to go back to the Egyptian king, saying He has “hardened” (Hebrew H3222) his heart. To harden means to make a heart stubborn, not simply because He likes it, but so that the great signs of His power can be displayed. The verse assures us that God’s plans have a purpose, even when they seem cruel.
2
And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD.
Simply PutMoses is sent to record the wonders God performed in Egypt for future generations. The word “wrought” (Hebrew H2255) means to create or bring something into being by divine power. This promises that the evidence of God’s mighty deeds will become a lasting testimony for our children and grandchildren.
3
And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.
Simply PutMoses and Aaron confront Pharaoh, demanding that he “humble” (Hebrew H209) himself before God. Humbling isn’t weakness; it’s the wise acknowledgment that true authority belongs to the Lord, not to any earthly ruler. It shows us that obedience begins with a heart willing to submit.
4
Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast:
Simply PutThe warning is clear—if Pharaoh refuses, locusts will swarm his land the next day. These tiny insects become a massive disaster when God sends them, reminding us that even seemingly small disobediences can bring great consequences.
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:
Simply PutThe locusts will “cover the face of the earth,” where “face” (Hebrew H6443) literally means “eye.” The vision of the land will be taken away, symbolizing how sin blinds us to God's presence and destroys what He has provided.
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.
Simply PutThe plagues are so overwhelming that even the houses of Pharaoh’s ancestors have never seen them. The phrase “turned himself” (Hebrew H6436) shows that Pharaoh finally turns away from his pride, though it may be too late.
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?
Simply PutPharaoh’s officials ask how long Moses will be a “snare” (Hebrew H7109) for them. The word snare means a trap, indicating that they see Moses as an unwanted entanglement—yet the real danger is Egypt’s impending destruction.
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?
Simply PutMoses and Aaron are summoned again, and Pharaoh asks who will go. The Hebrew word for “who” (Hebrew H3063) emphasizes his uncertainty and fear of losing control over his people.
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.
Simply PutMoses declares they will take everyone—young, old, sons, daughters—to a feast for the Lord. “Must hold” (Hebrew H300) implies that they are compelled by duty to worship God, showing the importance of communal celebration.
10
And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you.
Simply PutPharaoh warns that if they go, “evil” (Hebrew H834) will be before them. The term can mean disaster or harm, signaling that Pharaoh’s fear is rooted in the potential loss of power and stability.
11
Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.
Simply Put“Not so,” says Moses, urging the people to go and serve the Lord. This command reflects a deep desire for freedom; God’s call overpowers any earthly opposition.
12
And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left.
Simply PutGod tells Moses to “stretch out” (Hebrew H5412) his hand over Egypt for the locusts. Stretching signifies a deliberate act of divine intervention—a reminder that God’s hand can bring both judgment and mercy.
13
And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.
Simply PutMoses obeys, and an east wind (Hebrew H5740) blows all day and night, bringing the locusts. The east wind is a powerful force that demonstrates how God can use natural elements to fulfill His will.
14
And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.
Simply PutThe locusts cover the land, and there is nothing like them before or after. Their “grievous” (Hebrew H7200) nature shows how overwhelming God's punishment can be when people persist in rebellion.
15
For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.
Simply PutThe locusts darken the earth, leaving no green thing. The total devastation illustrates how sin can strip away all of God’s blessings, leaving only desolation.
16
Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you.
Simply PutPharaoh calls Moses and Aaron “in haste,” admitting he has sinned (Hebrew H7586) against the Lord and Moses. This confession reveals that even a hard-hearted ruler must recognize his wrongdoing before God can intervene.
17
Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.
Simply PutPharaoh begs Moses to forgive his sin, hoping that the LORD will “take away this death.” He pleads for relief from the looming disaster, showing that humility can lead to restoration.
18
And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD.
Simply PutHe goes out of Pharaoh’s presence and prays to the LORD. The act of entering prayer reflects a turning point—seeking God’s mercy in desperation.
19
And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.
Simply PutThe LORD sends a mighty west wind (Hebrew H5975) that carries the locusts into the Red Sea. The west wind is swift and powerful, carrying away the plague as a sign of God’s final mercy.
20
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.
Simply PutYet the LORD hardens Pharaoh’s heart again, keeping him from freeing Israel. This “hardening” (Hebrew H3222) confirms that God’s purpose includes demonstrating His supremacy over all earthly rulers.
21
And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.
22
And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:
Simply PutThe darkness lasts three days, covering all of Egypt. It highlights how God can use even the absence of light to demonstrate His power and presence.
23
They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
Simply PutWhile Egyptians are blind, the Israelites have light in their homes. The Hebrew word for “light” (Hebrew H216) symbolizes divine favor and protection amidst chaos.
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.
Simply PutPharaoh finally asks them to go, but only if they leave their flocks and herds. This conditional freedom shows his lingering attachment to economic control over the Israelites.
25
And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God.
Simply PutMoses insists they need “sacrifices and burnt offerings” (Hebrew H631) to worship once they leave. He wants a proper way to honor God, emphasizing the importance of reverence even in exile.
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.
Simply PutHe explains that they must bring every hoof, as these are needed for worship. This detail reminds us that true devotion involves giving everything we have to God.
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.
Simply PutPharaoh threatens Moses to never see his face again. The Hebrew word “see” (Hebrew H819) indicates a personal encounter, and Pharaoh’s threat reflects his fear of losing authority.
29
And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.
Simply PutMoses replies, “You have spoken well; I will not see your face again.” This final refusal shows Moses’ humility and acceptance of God’s ultimate authority over Pharaoh.
Exodus 7:13This verse explicitly states God's purpose in hardening Pharaoh's heart, directly illuminating the theme introduced in Exodus 10:1.
Psalm 78:44-45The psalmist recounts how God hardened the hearts of Egypt's people so that future generations might remember His mighty deeds, echoing Exodus 10:2.
Joel 1:4The prophetic description of locust devastation mirrors the severity and coverage of the locust plague in Exodus 10:5-6.
Numbers 13:31The Israelites' murmuring against Moses and Aaron parallels the complaints of Pharaoh's servants in Exodus 10:7.
Reflect
When the darkness of life feels like it has covered every part of your world, leaving no 'green' left, where or how do you still notice a spark of renewal or hope?
