Exodus 10:21

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
מֹשֶׁ֗ה
unto Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#5
נְטֵ֤ה
Stretch out
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
#6
יָֽדְךָ֙
thine hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#7
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
toward heaven
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#9
וִ֥יהִי
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#10
חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃
even darkness
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
#11
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
אֶ֣רֶץ
over the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#13
מִצְרָ֑יִם
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#14
וְיָמֵ֖שׁ
which may be felt
to feel of; by implication, to grope
#15
חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃
even darkness
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Exodus. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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