Exodus 8:28
And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me.
Original Language Analysis
אֲשַׁלַּ֤ח
I will let you go
H7971
אֲשַׁלַּ֤ח
I will let you go
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
4 of 16
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶתְכֶם֙
H853
אֶתְכֶם֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּזְבַחְתֶּ֞ם
that ye may sacrifice
H2076
וּזְבַחְתֶּ֞ם
that ye may sacrifice
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
6 of 16
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
לַֽיהוָ֤ה
to the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֤ה
to the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 16
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
בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר
in the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
9 of 16
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
רַ֛ק
H7535
רַ֛ק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
תַרְחִ֖יקוּ
far away
H7368
תַרְחִ֖יקוּ
far away
Strong's:
H7368
Word #:
11 of 16
to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַרְחִ֖יקוּ
far away
H7368
תַרְחִ֖יקוּ
far away
Strong's:
H7368
Word #:
13 of 16
to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
לָלֶ֑כֶת
H1980
לָלֶ֑כֶת
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
14 of 16
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Exodus 8:8Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.Exodus 9:28Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.1 Kings 13:6And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.Acts 8:24Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon 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 28 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.