Exodus 8:20
And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַשְׁכֵּ֤ם
Rise up early
H7925
הַשְׁכֵּ֤ם
Rise up early
Strong's:
H7925
Word #:
5 of 20
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
בַּבֹּ֙קֶר֙
in the morning
H1242
בַּבֹּ֙קֶר֙
in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
וְהִתְיַצֵּב֙
and stand
H3320
וְהִתְיַצֵּב֙
and stand
Strong's:
H3320
Word #:
7 of 20
to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יוֹצֵ֣א
lo he cometh forth
H3318
יוֹצֵ֣א
lo he cometh forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
11 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הַמָּ֑יְמָה
to the water
H4325
הַמָּ֑יְמָה
to the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
12 of 20
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
כֹּ֚ה
H3541
כֹּ֚ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
15 of 20
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
שַׁלַּ֥ח
go
H7971
שַׁלַּ֥ח
go
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
18 of 20
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
Cross References
Exodus 7:15Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.Exodus 9:13And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Historical Context
Khepri, the scarab-headed god, symbolized the rising sun and transformation. The distinction between Egypt and Goshen shows this is not natural disaster but divine judgment. God's protection of His people proves His sovereignty.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's protection of His people encourage you in judgment?
- What does the Egypt-Goshen distinction teach about being 'in the world but not of it'?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Verse 20 describes the plague of flies (עָרֹב, arov—swarms), with crucial distinction: Goshen is protected. God says 'I will sever... the land of Goshen' (v.22), demonstrating selective judgment. This plague may target Khepri, scarab beetle god representing resurrection and transformation.