Exodus 10:26
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
מִקְנֵ֜נוּ
Our cattle
H4735
מִקְנֵ֜נוּ
Our cattle
Strong's:
H4735
Word #:
2 of 24
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
יֵלֵ֣ךְ
H1980
יֵלֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
3 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עִמָּ֗נוּ
H5973
עִמָּ֗נוּ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
4 of 24
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִשָּׁאֵר֙
be left behind
H7604
תִשָּׁאֵר֙
be left behind
Strong's:
H7604
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִמֶּ֣נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֣נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
נִקַּ֔ח
for thereof must we take
H3947
נִקַּ֔ח
for thereof must we take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
10 of 24
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
נַּעֲבֹד֙
not with what we must serve
H5647
נַּעֲבֹד֙
not with what we must serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
11 of 24
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 24
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 #:
13 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ
our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 24
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נֵדַ֗ע
and we know
H3045
נֵדַ֗ע
and we know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
17 of 24
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מַֽה
H4100
מַֽה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
18 of 24
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
נַּעֲבֹד֙
not with what we must serve
H5647
נַּעֲבֹד֙
not with what we must serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
19 of 24
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 24
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 #:
21 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
22 of 24
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
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 26 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.