Exodus 10:23

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
רָא֞וּ They saw H7200
רָא֞וּ They saw
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 2 of 17
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אִ֥ישׁ any H376
אִ֥ישׁ any
Strong's: H376
Word #: 3 of 17
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)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָחִ֗יו another H251
אָחִ֗יו another
Strong's: H251
Word #: 5 of 17
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וְלֹא H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
קָ֛מוּ neither rose H6965
קָ֛מוּ neither rose
Strong's: H6965
Word #: 7 of 17
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אִ֥ישׁ any H376
אִ֥ישׁ any
Strong's: H376
Word #: 8 of 17
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)
מִתַּחְתָּ֖יו H8478
מִתַּחְתָּ֖יו
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 9 of 17
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת from his place for three H7969
שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת from his place for three
Strong's: H7969
Word #: 10 of 17
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
יָמִ֑ים days H3117
יָמִ֑ים days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 11 of 17
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וּֽלְכָל H3605
וּֽלְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 12 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּנֵ֧י but all the children H1121
בְּנֵ֧י but all the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 13 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 14 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הָ֥יָה H1961
הָ֥יָה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 15 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
א֖וֹר had light H216
א֖וֹר had light
Strong's: H216
Word #: 16 of 17
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
בְּמֽוֹשְׁבֹתָֽם׃ in their dwellings H4186
בְּמֽוֹשְׁבֹתָֽם׃ in their dwellings
Strong's: H4186
Word #: 17 of 17
a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population

Analysis & Commentary

Verse 23 introduces the plague of darkness, directly targeting Ra, Egypt's supreme sun god. Darkness covered Egypt for three days—'darkness which may be felt' (v.21)—while Israel had light in Goshen. This penultimate plague strikes at Egypt's chief deity.

Historical Context

Ra, the sun god, was Pharaoh's divine father and Egypt's supreme deity. His daily journey across sky sustained cosmic order (ma'at). Three days of darkness demonstrated Ra's impotence and YHWH's absolute supremacy over Egypt's highest god.

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