Exodus 3:20
And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.
Original Language Analysis
יְשַׁלַּ֥ח
And I will stretch out
H7971
יְשַׁלַּ֥ח
And I will stretch out
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 15
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יָדִי֙
my hand
H3027
יָדִי֙
my hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
3 of 15
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
וְהִכֵּיתִ֣י
and smite
H5221
וְהִכֵּיתִ֣י
and smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
4 of 15
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּכֹל֙
H3605
בְּכֹל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נִפְלְאֹתַ֔י
with all my wonders
H6381
נִפְלְאֹתַ֔י
with all my wonders
Strong's:
H6381
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֖ה
which I will do
H6213
אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֖ה
which I will do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
10 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בְּקִרְבּ֑וֹ
in the midst
H7130
בְּקִרְבּ֑וֹ
in the midst
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
וְאַֽחֲרֵי
thereof and after
H310
וְאַֽחֲרֵי
thereof and after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
כֵ֖ן
H3651
כֵ֖ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
Cross References
Acts 7:36He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.Nehemiah 9:10And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.Exodus 9:15For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.Deuteronomy 6:22And the LORD shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes:Exodus 6:6Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:Psalms 105:27They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.Exodus 12:39And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.
Historical Context
The ten plagues systematically demonstrated YHWH's supremacy over Egypt's pantheon: Nile (Hapi), frogs (Heqet), sun (Ra), Pharaoh himself (considered divine). Each plague targeted specific Egyptian deities, showing their impotence. The escalation—from nuisance to economic devastation to death—gave Pharaoh repeated opportunities to relent. His hardening after each plague (Exodus 7-11) fulfilled this prophecy exactly.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the promised 'wonders' demonstrate that God's judgments serve both punitive and revelatory purposes?
- What does the phrase 'after that he will let you go' teach about God's patience in giving oppressors opportunities to repent before final judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go (וְשָׁלַחְתִּי אֶת־יָדִי וְהִכֵּיתִי אֶת־מִצְרַיִם בְּכֹל נִפְלְאֹתַי אֲשֶׁר אֶעֱשֶׂה בְּקִרְבּוֹ וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵן יְשַׁלַּח אֶתְכֶם)—God's strategy: overwhelming demonstrations of power. Stretch out my hand (שָׁלַחְתִּי אֶת־יָדִי)—anthropomorphic language for divine intervention. Smite Egypt with all my wonders (הִכֵּיתִי... בְּכֹל נִפְלְאֹתַי)—wonders (נִפְלְאֹת, nifla'ot) are the ten plagues, miraculous demonstrations of YHWH's supremacy over Egyptian gods. In the midst thereof (בְּקִרְבּוֹ)—the plagues will occur in Egypt's heartland, not peripheral regions. After that he will let you go—eventually Pharaoh surrenders, though reluctantly and temporarily (14:5-9). The plagues serve multiple purposes: judgment on Egypt, deliverance for Israel, revelation of YHWH's character.