Exodus 10:24
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקְרָ֨א
called
H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֨א
called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 17
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
לְכוּ֙
H1980
לְכוּ֙
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
6 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עִבְד֣וּ
ye serve
H5647
עִבְד֣וּ
ye serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
7 of 17
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
רַ֛ק
H7535
רַ֛ק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
צֹֽאנְכֶ֥ם
only let your flocks
H6629
צֹֽאנְכֶ֥ם
only let your flocks
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
11 of 17
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
וּבְקַרְכֶ֖ם
and your herds
H1241
וּבְקַרְכֶ֖ם
and your herds
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
12 of 17
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
גַּֽם
H1571
גַּֽם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
טַפְּכֶ֖ם
let your little ones
H2945
טַפְּכֶ֖ם
let your little ones
Strong's:
H2945
Word #:
15 of 17
a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)
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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this plague reveal the ultimate showdown between YHWH and Egypt's gods?
- What does the light in Goshen symbolize about God's people?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Verse 24 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.