Exodus 10:7
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?
Original Language Analysis
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
5 of 22
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מָתַי֙
H4970
מָתַי֙
Strong's:
H4970
Word #:
6 of 22
properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle prefixes), when (either relative or interrogative)
יִֽהְיֶ֨ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֨ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְמוֹקֵ֔שׁ
unto him How long shall this man be a snare
H4170
לְמוֹקֵ֔שׁ
unto him How long shall this man be a snare
Strong's:
H4170
Word #:
10 of 22
a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for the nose)
שַׁלַּח֙
go
H7971
שַׁלַּח֙
go
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
11 of 22
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים
H376
הָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
13 of 22
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)
וְיַֽעַבְד֖וּ
that they may serve
H5647
וְיַֽעַבְד֖וּ
that they may serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
14 of 22
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑ם
their God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑ם
their God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 22
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
הֲטֶ֣רֶם
thou not yet
H2962
הֲטֶ֣רֶם
thou not yet
Strong's:
H2962
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before
תֵּדַ֔ע
knowest
H3045
תֵּדַ֔ע
knowest
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
19 of 22
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
20 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 7:26And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.Exodus 23:33They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.Joshua 23:13Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.1 Samuel 18:21And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.
Historical Context
Osiris ruled agriculture and resurrection, while Isis protected crops. Locusts were ancient Near Eastern terror, but this swarm's density exceeded natural plague. The total devastation left Egypt economically ruined.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God demonstrate His power through natural means taken to supernatural extremes?
- What does Pharaoh's servants' fear teach about recognizing God's hand in judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Verse 7 describes the locust plague, targeting Osiris (agriculture god) and Isis (grain goddess). Moses warns locusts will 'cover the face of the earth' and devour everything the hail left. Pharaoh's servants beg him to relent, recognizing Egypt's destruction.