1
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל מֹשֶׁ֔ה בֹּ֖א אֶל פַּרְעֹ֑ה כִּֽי אֲנִ֞י הִכְבַּ֤דְתִּי אֶת לִבּוֹ֙ וְאֶת לֵ֣ב עֲבָדָ֔יו לְמַ֗עַן שִׁתִ֛י אֹתֹתַ֥י אֵ֖לֶּה בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, in order that I may set these my signs in his midst,”
The chapter opens with a fresh divine command (וַיֹּאמֶר) resuming the plague cycle; the כִּי-clause discloses the theological rationale — YHWH's own hardening — that frames the whole locust and darkness narrative.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidWayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; standard verb introducing direct discourse, resuming the LORD's charge to Moses.
יְהוָה֙the LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the addressee of the divine word.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872) Moses; folk-etymologized in Exod 2:10 from מָשָׁה 'draw out', though the name is likely Egyptian in origin.
בֹּ֖אgoQal impv 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Volitional main verb (direct command)→ Volitional: imperatival summonsבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter, go'; the recurring summons for Moses to present himself to Pharaoh.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (goal of command)אֶל (H413); marks the goal of the command, Pharaoh's court.
פַּרְעֹ֑הPharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Object of preposition אֶלפַּרְעֹה (H6547), from Egyptian pr-ʿ3 'great house'; the throne-title used as the king's proper name throughout the exodus narrative.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounds the command)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces God's own hardening as the reason Moses must go.
אֲנִ֞יIindep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Emphatic fronted subjectאֲנִי (H589), 1cs pronoun fronted before its verb for emphasis: it is God who has hardened, not Pharaoh's will alone.
הִכְבַּ֤דְתִּיI have hardenedHiphil perf 1cs · כָּבֵד (H3513)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive causative actכָּבֵד (H3513) 'to be heavy'; Hiphil 'to make heavy/harden' — God's judicial confirmation of Pharaoh's own repeated self-hardening (cf. 8:15, 32).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
לִבּוֹ֙his heartN m sg constr + 3ms suff · לֵב (H3820)Direct objectלֵב (H3820) 'heart, mind'; the seat of Pharaoh's will and decision-making.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)
לֵ֣בthe heart ofN m sg constr · לֵב (H3820)Direct object (construct head)לֵב (H3820) in construct with עֲבָדָיו, extending the hardening to Pharaoh's court.
עֲבָדָ֔יוhis servantsN m pl constr + 3ms suff · עֶבֶד (H5650)Genitive complement (construct chain)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; Pharaoh's officials/courtiers, who in v.7 will themselves urge him to relent.
לְמַ֗עַןso thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose clause markerלְמַעַן (H4616) 'for the sake of, in order that'; introduces the purpose of the hardening.
שִׁתִ֛יmy settingQal inf constr + 1cs suff · שִׁית (H7896)Purpose infinitive (complement of לְמַעַן)→ Infinitival: purposive, non-finiteשִׁית (H7896) 'to put, place, set'; God's purposive placing/displaying of signs.
אֹתֹתַ֥יmy signsN c pl constr + 1cs suff · אוֹת (H226)Direct object of שִׁתִיאוֹת (H226) 'sign, token'; the plagues as revelatory signs, not mere punishments.
אֵ֖לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative (modifies אֹתֹתַי)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; points to the specific ongoing series of plagues.
בְּקִרְבּֽוֹin his midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suff · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phraseקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; the signs are staged within Egypt itself for maximal witness.
2
וּלְמַ֡עַן תְּסַפֵּר֩ בְּאָזְנֵ֨י בִנְךָ֜ וּבֶן בִּנְךָ֗ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁ֤ר הִתְעַלַּ֨לְתִּי֙ בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם וְאֶת אֹתֹתַ֖י אֲשֶׁר שַׂ֣מְתִּי בָ֑ם וִֽידַעְתֶּ֖ם כִּי אֲנִ֥י יְהוָֽה
and that you may recount in the hearing of your son and your son's son what I have done severely to the Egyptians, and my signs which I have set among them, that you may know that I am the LORD.
Verse 2 extends the purpose of the hardening from the immediate audience (Pharaoh's court) to future generations: the plagues are meant to become family catechesis. This is the chapter's programmatic 'that you may tell your son and grandson' verse.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וּלְמַ֡עַןand so thatconj וְ + prep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Coordinated purpose clause markerלְמַעַן (H4616), continuing the purpose begun in v.1: not only signs but their retelling.
תְּסַפֵּר֩you may recountPiel impf 2ms · סָפַר (H5608)Purpose/result verb (subordinate to לְמַעַן)→ Yiqtol: purposive/modal — the intended future retellingסָפַר (H5608) Piel 'to recount, tell in detail'; the catechetical aim of the plagues — a story to be rehearsed.
בְּאָזְנֵ֨יin the ears ofprep בְּ + N f du constr · אֹזֶן (H241)Locative/idiomatic prepositional phraseאֹזֶן (H241) 'ear'; 'in the ears of' = within the hearing of, an idiom for direct oral instruction.
בִנְךָ֜your sonN m sg constr + 2ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Object of בְּאָזְנֵיבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the first of two generations addressed by the purpose clause.
וּבֶןand the son ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate construct noun (second generation)בֵּן (H1121) in construct, beginning 'and your son's son'.
בִּנְךָ֗your sonN m sg constr + 2ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive complement (grandson construction)בֵּן (H1121); the construct chain בֶּן־בִּנְךָ literally 'son of your son' = grandson — the transmission spans two generations.
אֵ֣ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
אֲשֶׁ֤רthat/whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle introducing the clause describing God's dealings in Egypt.
הִתְעַלַּ֨לְתִּי֙I have dealt severelyHitpael perf 1cs · עָלַל (H5953)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act, viewed with intensive/reflexive nuanceעָלַל (H5953) Hitpael 'to deal severely with, make a mockery of'; a strong, almost ironic verb for God's humiliating treatment of Egypt through the plagues.
בְּמִצְרַ֔יִםin Egyptprep בְּ + N proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phraseמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; a dual-form place name, traditionally read as 'the two lands' (Upper and Lower Egypt).
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)
אֹתֹתַ֖יmy signsN c pl constr + 1cs suff · אוֹת (H226)Direct objectאוֹת (H226) 'sign'; the second object of תְּסַפֵּר, paired with the account of the dealings just narrated.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces second relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the clause specifying where the signs were set.
שַׂ֣מְתִּיI have setQal perf 1cs · שׂוּם (H7760)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actשׂוּם (H7760) 'to put, place, set'; synonym of שִׁית in v.1, God's placement of the signs among the Egyptians.
בָ֑םamong themprep בְּ + 3mp suffLocative prepositional phrase (resumes בְּמִצְרַיִם)בְּ + 3mp suffix, 'among/on them' — the Egyptians as recipients of the signs.
וִֽידַעְתֶּ֖םand you may knowWeqatal 2mp · יָדַע (H3045)Purpose/result verb continuing the chain (weqatal of purpose)→ Weqatal: continuation of purpose — the intended outcome of knowledgeיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; the ultimate aim of the sign-retelling — experiential recognition of YHWH, echoing the plague-cycle's recognition formula.
כִּיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (object clause of וִידַעְתֶּם)כִּי (H3588) here introduces the content known: YHWH's identity.
אֲנִ֥יI (am)indep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of verbless (identity) clauseאֲנִי (H589), pronominal subject of the recognition formula 'I am the LORD'.
יְהוָֽהthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominativeיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
3
וַיָּבֹ֨א מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְאַהֲרֹן֮ אֶל פַּרְעֹה֒ וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֗יו כֹּֽה אָמַ֤ר יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הָֽעִבְרִ֔ים עַד מָתַ֣י מֵאַ֔נְתָּ לֵעָנֹ֖ת מִפָּנָ֑י שַׁלַּ֥ח עַמִּ֖י וְיַֽעַבְדֻֽנִי
So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews: How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me.”
The messenger formula (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה) frames the confrontation as direct divine speech; the rhetorical עַד מָתַי question and the repeated שַׁלַּח עַמִּי demand recall the pattern of every prior plague announcement, underscoring Pharaoh's persistent, culpable refusal.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיָּבֹ֨אand...cameWayyiqtol 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; Moses (and Aaron) obeying the command of v.1.
מֹשֶׁ֣הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872) Moses; folk-etymologized in Exod 2:10 from מָשָׁה 'draw out', though the name is likely Egyptian in origin.
וְאַהֲרֹן֮and Aaronconj וְ + N proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Coordinate subjectאַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' brother and spokesman, regularly paired with him before Pharaoh.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413); marks Pharaoh as the goal of their coming.
פַּרְעֹה֒PharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Object of preposition אֶלפַּרְעֹה (H6547), from Egyptian pr-ʿ3 'great house'; the throne-title used as the king's proper name throughout the exodus narrative.
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּand they saidWayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Moses and Aaron jointly deliver the divine word.
אֵלָ֗יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suffDirectional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) + 3ms suffix, 'to him' = to Pharaoh.
כֹּֽהthusadv · כֹּה (H3541)Adverbial modifier of אָמַר (messenger formula)כֹּה (H3541) 'thus, so'; opens the standard prophetic messenger formula כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה.
אָמַ֤רhas saidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (messenger formula)→ Perfective: the completed utterance now being relayedאָמַר (H559); the messenger-formula perfect, standard for prophetic speech introductions.
יְהוָה֙the LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of אָמַריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
אֱלֹהֵ֣יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָה (construct head)אֱלֹהִים (H430) in construct, 'God of the Hebrews' — the recurring self-designation used in the demand for release (cf. 3:18; 5:3; 7:16; 9:1).
הָֽעִבְרִ֔יםthe Hebrewsart + gentilic N m pl abs · עִבְרִי (H5680)Genitive complement (construct chain)עִבְרִי (H5680) 'Hebrew'; the ethnic/social term used especially when Israel is viewed from an outsider's (Egyptian) perspective.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (rhetorical question)עַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; paired with מָתַי in the fixed idiom of exasperated rebuke, 'how long?'
מָתַ֣יwheninterrogative adv · מָתַי (H4970)Interrogative (temporal complement of עַד)מָתַי (H4970) 'when?'; with עַד forms עַד מָתַי 'how long?' — the same rebuke Pharaoh's own servants will echo in v.7.
מֵאַ֔נְתָּhave you refusedPiel perf 2ms · מֵאֵן (H3985)Predicate verb (main clause, rhetorical question)→ Perfective: a settled, repeated refusal viewed as accomplished factמֵאֵן (H3985) Piel 'to refuse'; used elsewhere of Pharaoh's obstinacy (cf. 4:23; 7:14; 9:2) — a verb almost technical for his resistance.
לֵעָנֹ֖תto humble yourselfprep לְ + Niphal inf constr · עָנָה (H6031)Complementary infinitive (object of מֵאַנְתָּ)→ Infinitival: non-finite complementעָנָה (H6031) II 'to be afflicted, humbled'; Niphal reflexive-passive 'to humble oneself' — Pharaoh's refusal is framed as a refusal to submit before God.
מִפָּנָ֑יbefore meprep מִן + N c pl constr + 1cs suff · פָּנִים (H6440)Comparative/locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; מִפָּנַי idiomatically 'before me, in my presence' — refusal to submit in God's own presence.
שַׁלַּ֥חlet goPiel impv 2ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Volitional main verb (renewed demand)→ Volitional: imperatival demandשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send away, release'; the recurring imperative of the entire plague cycle.
עַמִּ֖יmy peopleN m sg constr + 1cs suff · עַם (H5971)Direct object of שַׁלַּחעַם (H5971) 'people'; God's covenantal claim of ownership over Israel.
וְיַֽעַבְדֻֽנִיthat they may serve meconj וְ + Qal impf 3mp + 1cs suff · עָבַד (H5647)Purpose/result verb (jussive-equivalent, subordinate to שַׁלַּח)→ Yiqtol: purposive — the intended outcome of releaseעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; the goal of the exodus is not mere freedom but proper service of YHWH — the same root behind עֶבֶד 'slave' in v.1, contrasting slavery to Pharaoh with service to God.
4
כִּ֛י אִם מָאֵ֥ן אַתָּ֖ה לְשַׁלֵּ֣חַ אֶת עַמִּ֑י הִנְנִ֨י מֵבִ֥יא מָחָ֛ר אַרְבֶּ֖ה בִּגְבֻלֶֽךָ
For if you refuse to let my people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory.
The כִּי אִם protasis converts the preceding imperative into a formal ultimatum: refusal triggers a dated, concrete judgment (מָחָר, 'tomorrow'), the pattern used elsewhere to authenticate YHWH's control of events.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
כִּ֛יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/causal conjunction (paired with אִם)כִּי אִם (H3588 + H518) together form 'but if, for if' — introducing the consequence of continued refusal.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunctionאִם (H518) 'if'; with the preceding כִּי forms the conditional protasis threatening judgment.
מָאֵ֥ןrefusingPiel ptc msa · מֵאֵן (H3985)Predicate participle (conditional clause)→ Participle: durative/characterizing — an ongoing stance of refusalמֵאֵן (H3985) Piel participle 'refusing'; picks up the same verb as v.3, now cast as Pharaoh's settled characteristic.
אַתָּ֖הyouindep pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of participial clauseאַתָּה (H859) 2ms independent pronoun, subject of the participle מָאֵן, emphasizing Pharaoh personally.
לְשַׁלֵּ֣חַto let goprep לְ + Piel inf constr · שָׁלַח (H7971)Complementary infinitive (object of מָאֵן)→ Infinitival: non-finite complementשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel infinitive, 'to send away'; complement of מָאֵן, specifying what Pharaoh refuses to do.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
עַמִּ֑יmy peopleN m sg constr + 1cs suff · עַם (H5971)Direct object of לְשַׁלֵּחַעַם (H5971); God's people, object of the release Pharaoh refuses.
הִנְנִ֨יbehold, I ampresentative particle + 1cs suff · הִנֵּה (H2005)Presentative marker introducing imminent actionהִנֵּה (H2005) 'behold'; with 1cs suffix, הִנְנִי vividly presents the speaker's imminent action — 'here I am, about to...'
מֵבִ֥יאbringingHiphil ptc msa · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate participle (imminent future, with הִנְנִי)→ Participle: imminent/immediate future actionבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring'; the participle with הִנְנִי expresses the certainty and nearness of the coming plague.
מָחָ֛רtomorrowN m sg abs · מָחָר (H4279)Temporal adverbial accusativeמָחָר (H4279) 'tomorrow'; sets a concrete, non-negotiable deadline, as in the hail plague (9:18).
אַרְבֶּ֖הlocustsN m sg abs (collective) · אַרְבֶּה (H697)Direct object of מֵבִיאאַרְבֶּה (H697) 'locust'; a collective singular for the swarm, from רָבָה 'to multiply' — the plague's name emphasizes overwhelming quantity.
בִּגְבֻלֶֽךָinto your territoryprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suff · גְּבוּל (H1366)Locative prepositional phraseגְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, territory'; the locusts will fill Egypt's entire bounded land.
5
וְכִסָּה֙ אֶת עֵ֣ין הָאָ֔רֶץ וְלֹ֥א יוּכַ֖ל לִרְאֹ֣ת אֶת הָאָ֑רֶץ וְאָכַ֣ל אֶת יֶ֣תֶר הַפְּלֵטָ֗ה הַנִּשְׁאֶ֤רֶת לָכֶם֙ מִן הַבָּרָ֔ד וְאָכַל֙ אֶת כָּל הָעֵ֔ץ הַצֹּמֵ֥חַ לָכֶ֖ם מִן הַשָּׂדֶֽה
And they will cover the surface of the land, so that no one will be able to see the land; and they will eat what is left to you, that which escaped the hail, and they will eat every tree that grows for you out of the field.
A chain of weqatal verbs (וְכִסָּה...וְאָכַל...וְאָכַל) spells out the totalizing effect of the locusts, deliberately building on the hail's partial destruction (יֶתֶר הַפְּלֵטָה) so that the two plagues together leave nothing green in Egypt.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וְכִסָּה֙and it will coverWeqatal 3ms · כָּסָה (H3680)Weqatal continuing the future threat→ Weqatal: sequential future — consequence of the coming locustsכָּסָה (H3680) 'to cover'; the swarm will blanket the land, an image echoed later in Joel's locust oracle.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
עֵ֣יןthe eye/surface ofN c sg constr · עַיִן (H5869)Direct object (construct head, idiom)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiomatically 'the surface/visible face of the land' — an image of total, blinding coverage (cf. Num 22:5, 11).
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; here the land of Egypt, whose visible surface will be hidden by locusts.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of following verbלֹא (H3808), standard negative particle.
יוּכַ֖לwill be ableQal impf 3ms · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: modal — ability negated, describing the resulting incapacityיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; the totality of the locust-covering will make ordinary sight of the ground impossible.
לִרְאֹ֣תto seeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · רָאָה (H7200)Complementary infinitive (object of יוּכַל)→ Infinitival: non-finite complementרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; complement of יוּכַל, 'to be able to see'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of לִרְאֹתאֶרֶץ (H776); the ground itself, now hidden beneath the swarm.
וְאָכַ֣לand it will eatWeqatal 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Weqatal continuing the future sequence→ Weqatal: sequential future consequenceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat, devour'; the locusts' characteristic destructive action, resuming after the hail's partial devastation (9:31-32).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
יֶ֣תֶרthe remainder ofN m sg constr · יֶתֶר (H3499)Direct object (construct head)יֶתֶר (H3499) 'remainder, remnant'; what the hail did not destroy becomes the locusts' target — total devastation across two plagues.
הַפְּלֵטָ֗הthe escaped remnantart + N f sg abs · פְּלֵיטָה (H6413)Genitive complement (construct chain)פְּלֵיטָה (H6413) 'escape, that which escapes/survives'; from פָּלַט 'to escape' — vegetation that survived the hail.
הַנִּשְׁאֶ֤רֶתwhich remainsart + Niphal ptc fsa · שָׁאַר (H7604)Attributive participle (modifies הַפְּלֵטָה)→ Participle: durative, describing the present state of survivalשָׁאַר (H7604) Niphal 'to be left, remain'; reinforces יֶתֶר/פְּלֵיטָה — nothing green will be left after the locusts.
לָכֶם֙for youprep לְ + 2mp suffDative of advantage (whose loss it will be)prep לְ + 2mp suffix; 'to/for you' — the Egyptians as those who stand to lose this remaining produce.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Source prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from'; marks the hail as the prior source of the partial destruction.
הַבָּרָ֔דthe hailart + N m sg abs · בָּרָד (H1259)Object of preposition מִןבָּרָד (H1259) 'hail'; the seventh plague (ch.9), whose surviving vegetation the locusts will now finish off.
וְאָכַל֙and it will eatWeqatal 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Weqatal continuing the future sequence→ Weqatal: sequential future consequenceאָכַל (H398); repeated for emphasis, introducing the second object of devouring.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (quantifier, construct head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct quantifier governing הָעֵץ, stressing totality.
הָעֵ֔ץtreeart + N m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Genitive complement (construct chain)עֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; every tree of the field is included in the devastation.
הַצֹּמֵ֥חַgrowingart + Qal ptc msa · צָמַח (H6779)Attributive participle (modifies הָעֵץ)→ Participle: durative, describing ongoing growthצָמַח (H6779) 'to sprout, grow'; describes trees currently flourishing in the field, soon to be stripped bare.
לָכֶ֖םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffDative of advantageprep לְ + 2mp suffix, 'for you' — again marking the Egyptians as those who will suffer the loss.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Source/partitive prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from'; specifies the field as the location of the growing trees.
הַשָּׂדֶֽהthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Object of preposition מִןשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; the cultivated and wild land together, left utterly bare.
6
וּמָלְא֨וּ בָתֶּ֜יךָ וּבָתֵּ֣י כָל עֲבָדֶיךָ֮ וּבָתֵּ֣י כָל מִצְרַיִם֒ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא רָא֤וּ אֲבֹתֶ֨יךָ֙ וַאֲב֣וֹת אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ מִיּ֗וֹם הֱיוֹתָם֙ עַל הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וַיִּ֥פֶן וַיֵּצֵ֖א מֵעִ֥ם פַּרְעֹֽה
and your houses shall be filled, and the houses of all your servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians — as neither your fathers nor your fathers' fathers have seen, from the day they came to be upon the ground until this day.” And he turned and went out from Pharaoh.
The threefold 'houses' list (yours / your servants' / all Egypt's) escalates to a superlative claim of unprecedented scale reaching back through the fathers; Moses' abrupt exit (וַיִּפֶן וַיֵּצֵא) — without awaiting Pharaoh's response — dramatizes the finality of the ultimatum.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וּמָלְא֨וּand they will fillWeqatal 3cp · מָלֵא (H4390)Weqatal continuing the future sequence→ Weqatal: sequential future consequenceמָלֵא (H4390) 'to be full, fill'; the locusts will pack every house, an escalation beyond the fields.
בָתֶּ֜יךָyour housesN m pl constr + 2ms suff · בַּיִת (H1004)Subject of וּמָלְאוּבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; Pharaoh's own residence(s), addressed directly.
וּבָתֵּ֣יand the houses ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Coordinate subject (construct head)בַּיִת (H1004) in construct, extending the subject to a second group.
כָלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; totalizes the group of Pharaoh's servants.
עֲבָדֶיךָ֮your servantsN m pl constr + 2ms suff · עֶבֶד (H5650)Genitive complement (construct chain)עֶבֶד (H5650); Pharaoh's own courtiers, whose houses will also be overrun.
וּבָתֵּ֣יand the houses ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Coordinate subject (construct head)בַּיִת (H1004); a third, broadest group added to the escalating list.
כָלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605); now totalizing all of Egypt, not just the court.
מִצְרַיִם֒EgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4713)Genitive complement (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; a dual-form place name, traditionally read as 'the two lands' (Upper and Lower Egypt).
אֲשֶׁ֨רsuch asrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces a clause of unprecedented degree.
לֹֽאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of following verbלֹא (H3808).
רָא֤וּhave seenQal perf 3cp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb of relative clause (negated)→ Perfective: a completed act, negated to express total noveltyרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the negated perfect stresses the unprecedented scale of this plague.
אֲבֹתֶ֨יךָ֙your fathersN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אָב (H1)Subject of רָאוּאָב (H1) 'father'; Pharaoh's ancestors, invoked to underline the plague's historic magnitude.
וַאֲב֣וֹתnor the fathers ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · אָב (H1)Coordinate subject (construct head)אָב (H1) in construct, extending the comparison back a further generation.
אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָyour fathersN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אָב (H1)Genitive complement (construct chain: 'fathers of your fathers')אָב (H1); the doubled construct 'fathers of your fathers' reaches back to the most distant remembered past.
מִיּ֗וֹםfrom the dayprep מִן + N m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; opens a temporal clause spanning from Egypt's very founding.
הֱיוֹתָם֙their being/existingQal inf constr + 3mp suff · הָיָה (H1961)Temporal infinitive (complement of מִיּוֹם)→ Infinitival: non-finite, temporal reference pointהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist'; 'from the day of their being' = since they came into existence.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'.
הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Object of preposition עַלאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil'; the land as inhabited territory, distinct from אֶרֶץ's broader sense.
עַ֖דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'until'; closes the temporal span begun by מִיּוֹם.
הַיּ֣וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Object of preposition עַדיוֹם (H3117); paired with הַזֶּה to mean 'this very day' — the narrator's present.
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + demonstr pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative (modifies הַיּוֹם)זֶה (H2088) 'this'; the fixed idiom עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, 'until this very day'.
וַיִּ֥פֶןand he turnedWayyiqtol 3ms · פָּנָה (H6437)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn'; Moses' abrupt turning away signals the end of the confrontation.
וַיֵּצֵ֖אand he went outWayyiqtol 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Moses departs the audience without waiting for Pharaoh's reply.
מֵעִ֥םfrom withprep מִן + prep עִם · H5973Source prepositional phraseעִם (H5973) 'with', compounded with מִן: 'from being with, from the presence of'.
פַּרְעֹֽהPharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Object of preposition מֵעִםפַּרְעֹה (H6547), from Egyptian pr-ʿ3 'great house'; the throne-title used as the king's proper name throughout the exodus narrative.
7
וַיֹּאמְרוּ֩ עַבְדֵ֨י פַרְעֹ֜ה אֵלָ֗יו עַד מָתַי֙ יִהְיֶ֨ה זֶ֥ה לָ֨נוּ֙ לְמוֹקֵ֔שׁ שַׁלַּח֙ אֶת הָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים וְיַֽעַבְד֖וּ אֶת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם הֲטֶ֣רֶם תֵּדַ֔ע כִּ֥י אָבְדָ֖ה מִצְרָֽיִם
Pharaoh's servants said to him, “How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God. Do you not yet know that Egypt is ruined?”
The courtiers turn Moses' own rebuke (עַד מָתַי) back on their king, and the proleptic perfect אָבְדָה מִצְרַיִם shows they already regard the nation's ruin as accomplished — a striking admission from within Pharaoh's own house.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיֹּאמְרוּ֩and they saidWayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); the servants now speak, breaking with Pharaoh's own resistance.
עַבְדֵ֨יthe servants ofN m pl constr · עֶבֶד (H5650)Subject (construct head)עֶבֶד (H5650); Pharaoh's courtiers, now voicing exasperation at the cost of his obstinacy.
פַרְעֹ֜הPharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive complement (construct chain)פַּרְעֹה (H6547), from Egyptian pr-ʿ3 'great house'; the throne-title used as the king's proper name throughout the exodus narrative.
אֵלָ֗יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suffDirectional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) + 3ms suffix, 'to him' = to Pharaoh.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (rhetorical question)עַד (H5704); with מָתַי forms the same rebuke Moses used to Pharaoh in v.3 — now turned back on him by his own men.
מָתַי֙wheninterrogative adv · מָתַי (H4970)Interrogative (temporal complement of עַד)מָתַי (H4970) 'when?'; the servants adopt YHWH's own rebuke-formula against their king.
יִהְיֶ֨הwill beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, rhetorical question)→ Yiqtol: future/ongoing stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the copular verb asking how long the present crisis will continue.
זֶ֥הthis (man)demonstr pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Subject of יִהְיֶהזֶה (H2088) 'this'; a contemptuous demonstrative referring to Moses (cf. the parallel dismissive 'this man').
לָ֨נוּ֙to usprep לְ + 1cp suffDative complementprep לְ + 1cp suffix, 'to/for us' — the servants include themselves as those trapped by Pharaoh's stubbornness.
לְמוֹקֵ֔שׁas a snareprep לְ + N m sg abs · מוֹקֵשׁ (H4170)Predicate complement (identifies the effect of Moses/the crisis)מוֹקֵשׁ (H4170) 'snare, trap'; from יָקֹשׁ 'to lay a snare' — the famous phrase 'how long shall this man be a snare to us?', naming Egypt's mounting entrapment in disaster.
שַׁלַּח֙let goPiel impv 2ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Volitional main verb (advice to Pharaoh)→ Volitional: imperatival adviceשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send away'; the servants urge the very release Pharaoh has refused.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔יםthe menart + N m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of שַׁלַּחאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the servants propose releasing only the men — a partial concession Pharaoh will attempt in v.11.
וְיַֽעַבְד֖וּthat they may serveconj וְ + Qal impf 3mp · עָבַד (H5647)Purpose/result verb (subordinate to שַׁלַּח)→ Yiqtol: purposive — intended outcome of releaseעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; echoes the demand's stated goal in v.3.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
יְהוָ֣הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of וְיַעַבְדוּיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑םtheir GodN m pl constr + 3mp suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 3mp suffix; the servants concede Israel's God as legitimately theirs to worship.
הֲטֶ֣רֶםdo you not yetinterrogative הֲ + adv · טֶרֶם (H2962)Interrogative adverbial (rhetorical)טֶרֶם (H2962) 'not yet'; with interrogative הֲ, 'do you still not know?' — pointed exasperation at Pharaoh's blindness.
תֵּדַ֔עdo you knowQal impf 2ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause, rhetorical question)→ Yiqtol: modal — present/ongoing failure of perceptionיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; the servants' rebuke inverts the plagues' recognition-formula: Pharaoh alone still fails to know what is now obvious.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (object clause of תֵּדַע)כִּי (H3588) introduces the content of what Pharaoh should already know.
אָבְדָ֖הis perishingQal perf 3fs · אָבַד (H6)Predicate verb of complement clause→ Perfective: a completed/near-certain state — proleptic perfect of imminent ruinאָבַד (H6) 'to perish, be destroyed'; the perfect used proleptically — Egypt's ruin is already as good as accomplished.
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Subject of אָבְדָהמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; a dual-form place name, traditionally read as 'the two lands' (Upper and Lower Egypt).
8
וַיּוּשַׁ֞ב אֶת מֹשֶׁ֤ה וְאֶֽת אַהֲרֹן֙ אֶל פַּרְעֹ֔ה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם לְכ֥וּ עִבְד֖וּ אֶת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם מִ֥י וָמִ֖י הַהֹלְכִֽים
So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh, and he said to them, “Go, serve the LORD your God. But who exactly are the ones who will go?”
Pharaoh's opening imperatives (לְכוּ עִבְדוּ) sound like full capitulation, but the immediately appended מִי וָמִי הַהֹלְכִים reveals the concession is provisional — he intends to negotiate down exactly who departs, setting up the exchange in vv.9-11.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיּוּשַׁ֞בand...was brought backHophal wayyiqtol 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (passive main verb)→ Wayyiqtol (passive): foregrounded narrative advance, agentlessשׁוּב (H7725) Hophal 'to be caused to return, be brought back'; Moses and Aaron are summoned back into Pharaoh's presence, likely at the servants' urging.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
מֹשֶׁ֤הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject (of passive verb, marked with אֵת)מֹשֶׁה (H4872) Moses; folk-etymologized in Exod 2:10 from מָשָׁה 'draw out', though the name is likely Egyptian in origin.
וְאֶֽתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker
אַהֲרֹן֙AaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Coordinate subjectאַהֲרֹן (H175); brought back together with Moses.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413).
פַּרְעֹ֔הPharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Object of preposition אֶלפַּרְעֹה (H6547), from Egyptian pr-ʿ3 'great house'; the throne-title used as the king's proper name throughout the exodus narrative.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidWayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); Pharaoh reopens negotiations, apparently yielding to his servants' pressure.
אֲלֵהֶ֔םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suffDirectional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) + 3mp suffix, 'to them' = to Moses and Aaron.
לְכ֥וּgoQal impv 2mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Volitional main verb (Pharaoh's concession)→ Volitional: imperatival permissionהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; Pharaoh appears to grant departure, opening the bargaining over terms.
עִבְד֖וּserveQal impv 2mp · עָבַד (H5647)Volitional main verb (coordinate imperative)→ Volitional: imperatival permissionעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; Pharaoh appears finally to grant the demand — but conditions follow immediately.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
יְהוָ֣הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of עִבְדוּיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑םyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2mp suffix; Pharaoh concedes the divine title, at least formally.
מִ֥יwhointerrogative pron · מִי (H4310)Interrogative subject (of following participle)מִי (H4310) 'who?'; opens Pharaoh's suspicious probing of exactly who will leave.
וָמִ֖יand whoconj וְ + interrogative pron · מִי (H4310)Coordinate interrogative subjectמִי (H4310) doubled, מִי וָמִי 'who and who' — an idiom meaning 'exactly who all'.
הַהֹלְכִֽיםthe ones goingart + Qal ptc mpa · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate participle (identity question)→ Participle: substantival, identifying the referents in questionהָלַךְ (H1980) participle 'the ones going'; Pharaoh's guarded question anticipates his attempt to limit who may actually depart.
9
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֔ה בִּנְעָרֵ֥ינוּ וּבִזְקֵנֵ֖ינוּ נֵלֵ֑ךְ בְּבָנֵ֨ינוּ וּבִבְנוֹתֵ֜נוּ בְּצֹאנֵ֤נוּ וּבִבְקָרֵ֨נוּ֙ נֵלֵ֔ךְ כִּ֥י חַג יְהוָ֖ה לָֽנוּ
Moses said, “We will go with our young and our old; we will go with our sons and our daughters, with our flocks and our herds, for we must hold a feast to the LORD.”
Moses' merism-laden list (young/old, sons/daughters, flocks/herds) deliberately answers 'who and who' with 'everyone and everything,' grounding the demand in the nature of a חַג — a pilgrimage feast requiring the whole covenant community and its sacrificial animals.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand...saidWayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); Moses answers Pharaoh's probing question directly and comprehensively.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872) Moses; folk-etymologized in Exod 2:10 from מָשָׁה 'draw out', though the name is likely Egyptian in origin.
בִּנְעָרֵ֥ינוּwith our youngprep בְּ + N m pl constr + 1cp suff · נַעַר (H5288)Comitative prepositional phrase (fronted for emphasis)נַעַר (H5288) 'youth, young person'; fronted first in Moses' list to insist on the totality of who must go.
וּבִזְקֵנֵ֖ינוּand with our oldconj וְ + prep בְּ + adj m pl constr + 1cp suff · זָקֵן (H2205)Coordinate comitative prepositional phraseזָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; paired with נַעַר as a merism, 'young and old' = everyone regardless of age.
נֵלֵ֑ךְwe will goQal impf 1cp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: volitive/future — Moses' firm intended courseהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; Moses insists on unconditional departure of the whole community.
בְּבָנֵ֨ינוּwith our sonsprep בְּ + N m pl constr + 1cp suff · בֵּן (H1121)Comitative prepositional phraseבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; extends the list to the next generation, echoing v.2's 'your son and grandson'.
וּבִבְנוֹתֵ֜נוּand with our daughtersconj וְ + prep בְּ + N f pl constr + 1cp suff · בַּת (H1323)Coordinate comitative prepositional phraseבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; completes the merism 'sons and daughters' = all children.
בְּצֹאנֵ֤נוּwith our flocksprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 1cp suff · צֹאן (H6629)Comitative prepositional phraseצֹאן (H6629) 'flock (sheep/goats)'; livestock included, since sacrificial animals are required (cf. v.25).
וּבִבְקָרֵ֨נוּ֙and with our herdsconj וְ + prep בְּ + N c sg constr + 1cp suff · בָּקָר (H1241)Coordinate comitative prepositional phraseבָּקָר (H1241) 'herd, cattle'; paired with צֹאן as the standard merism for all livestock.
נֵלֵ֔ךְwe will goQal impf 1cp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (resumptive, main clause)→ Yiqtol: volitive/futureהָלַךְ (H3212); repeated to close the list, framing it (נֵלֵךְ...נֵלֵךְ) around the full enumeration.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for'; grounds the totality of the departure in the nature of the occasion.
חַגa feast ofN m sg constr · חַג (H2282)Predicate nominative (construct head)חַג (H2282) 'feast, pilgrimage festival'; from חָגַג 'to circle, celebrate' — a full covenantal festival, not a brief errand, hence the need for everyone and everything.
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
לָֽנוּfor usprep לְ + 1cp suffDative complement (predicate)prep לְ + 1cp suffix, 'to/for us' — the festival belongs to the whole community, hence its scale.
10
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם יְהִ֨י כֵ֤ן יְהוָה֙ עִמָּכֶ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר אֲשַׁלַּ֥ח אֶתְכֶ֖ם וְאֶֽת טַפְּכֶ֑ם רְא֕וּ כִּ֥י רָעָ֖ה נֶ֥גֶד פְּנֵיכֶֽם
But he said to them, “The LORD be with you, if ever I let you and your little ones go! Look out — you have some evil purpose in mind.”
Pharaoh's ironic pseudo-blessing (יְהִי כֵן יְהוָה עִמָּכֶם) sets up a bait-and-switch: he narrows the permitted group to men and dependents (טַפְּכֶם), silently excluding the livestock Moses demanded, and closes with a veiled accusation and threat.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidWayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); Pharaoh replies to Moses with biting sarcasm.
אֲלֵהֶ֗םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suffDirectional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) + 3mp suffix.
יְהִ֨יmay...beQal jussive 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Volitional main verb (ironic wish)→ Volitional: jussive — sarcastic pseudo-blessingהָיָה (H1961) jussive 'let it be'; Pharaoh's wish is heavily ironic, given what follows.
כֵ֤ןsoadv · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial complement of יְהִיכֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; יְהִי כֵן, 'so may it be' — a formula of assent turned sarcastic.
יְהוָה֙the LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יְהִייְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
עִמָּכֶ֔םwith youprep עִם + 2mp suff (H5973)Comitative prepositional phrase (predicate)עִם (H5973) 'with'; Pharaoh mockingly wishes YHWH's presence with them — 'for as much good as it will do you.'
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834) with כְּ, 'just as' — introduces the true condition Pharaoh actually intends to grant.
אֲשַׁלַּ֥חI will sendPiel impf 1cs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (comparative clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/volitive — Pharaoh's stated (limited) intentionשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send away'; Pharaoh now positions himself as the one who decides the terms of release.
אֶתְכֶ֖םyouobj marker + 2mp suff · H853Direct object of אֲשַׁלַּחאֵת (H853) + 2mp suffix, marking the adult men as direct object.
וְאֶֽתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)
טַפְּכֶ֑םyour little onesN m sg constr + 2mp suff · טַף (H2945)Direct object (coordinate)טַף (H2945) 'little ones, dependents'; Pharaoh names only this group as included — a deliberate narrowing that omits flocks and herds, contrary to Moses' request.
רְא֕וּseeQal impv 2mp · רָאָה (H7200)Volitional main verb (warning)→ Volitional: imperatival warningרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; imperative introducing a menacing observation — 'take note.'
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (object clause of רְאוּ)כִּי (H3588) introduces the content of the warning.
רָעָ֖הevilN f sg abs · רָעָה (H7451)Subject of verbless clauseרָעָה (H7451) 'evil, disaster, harm'; Pharaoh threatens unspecified violent intent against them.
נֶ֥גֶדis beforeprep · נֶגֶד (H5048)Locative prepositional phrase (predicate)נֶגֶד (H5048) 'in front of, opposite'; idiomatically 'is set before your faces' — imminent and visible.
פְּנֵיכֶֽםyour facesN c pl constr + 2mp suff · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of preposition נֶגֶדפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; the idiom נֶגֶד פְּנֵיכֶם, 'right in front of you' — a veiled threat.
11
לֹ֣א כֵ֗ן לְכֽוּ נָ֤א הַגְּבָרִים֙ וְעִבְד֣וּ אֶת יְהוָ֔ה כִּ֥י אֹתָ֖הּ אַתֶּ֣ם מְבַקְשִׁ֑ים וַיְגָ֣רֶשׁ אֹתָ֔ם מֵאֵ֖ת פְּנֵ֥י פַרְעֹֽה
“Not so! Go now, you men, and serve the LORD, for that is what you are asking.” And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.
Pharaoh explicitly rejects (לֹא כֵן) Moses' full terms, restricting departure to adult males (הַגְּבָרִים) — the exact opposite of Moses' young-and-old, sons-and-daughters, flocks-and-herds demand — then has them forcibly expelled (וַיְגָרֶשׁ), triggering the locust plague of vv.12-15.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
לֹ֣אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (elliptical clause)לֹא (H3808); negates the implied verb, 'it shall not be so'.
כֵ֗ןsoadv · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial predicate of elliptical clauseכֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; לֹא כֵן, 'not so!' — Pharaoh's blunt rejection of Moses' full terms.
לְכֽוּgoQal impv 2mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Volitional main verb (renewed, restricted permission)→ Volitional: imperatival permissionהָלַךְ (H3212); Pharaoh repeats the permission but now with an explicit restriction following.
נָ֤אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Discourse particle (softens/underscores the imperative)נָא (H4994), enclitic particle marking urgency with the imperative — here perhaps ironic courtesy.
הַגְּבָרִים֙the menart + N m pl abs · גֶּבֶר (H1397)Subject (vocative-like, specifying who may go)גֶּבֶר (H1397) 'strong man, able-bodied man'; a stronger, more martial term than אִישׁ (v.7) — Pharaoh restricts the exodus to adult males only, precisely reversing Moses' merism in v.9.
וְעִבְד֣וּand serveconj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · עָבַד (H5647)Coordinate volitional verb→ Volitional: imperatival permissionעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; Pharaoh grants worship, but only to the restricted group.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
יְהוָ֔הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of וְעִבְדוּיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for'; grounds Pharaoh's restriction in what he claims Moses actually wants.
אֹתָ֖הּitobj marker + 3fs suff · H853Direct object of מְבַקְשִׁים (fronted for emphasis)אֵת (H853) + 3fs suffix, referring back to the requested service; fronted for emphasis: 'that is what you're after.'
אַתֶּ֣םyouindep pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Emphatic subjectאַתֶּם (H859) 2mp pronoun, emphasizing that this — mere worship, in Pharaoh's mind — is all they are really seeking.
מְבַקְשִׁ֑יםseekingPiel ptc mpa · בָּקַשׁ (H1245)Predicate participle (main clause)→ Participle: durative — describing Moses and Aaron's ongoing intentבָּקַשׁ (H1245) Piel 'to seek, request'; Pharaoh reduces their demand to a narrow request for worship access, denying its full scope.
וַיְגָ֣רֶשׁand he drove outWayyiqtol 3ms · גָּרַשׁ (H1644)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceגָּרַשׁ (H1644) 'to drive out, expel'; a violent verb — Pharaoh forcibly ejects Moses and Aaron from his presence.
אֹתָ֔םthemobj marker + 3mp suff · H853Direct object of וַיְגָרֶשׁאֵת (H853) + 3mp suffix, referring to Moses and Aaron.
מֵאֵ֖תfromprep מִן + prep אֵת · H854Source prepositional phraseאֵת (H854) 'with, from with'; compounded with מִן, 'away from'.
פְּנֵ֥יthe face/presence ofN c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of preposition מֵאֵת (construct head)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatically 'presence' — foreshadowing Pharaoh's own later demand, 'see my face no more' (v.28).
פַרְעֹֽהPharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive complement (construct chain)פַּרְעֹה (H6547), from Egyptian pr-ʿ3 'great house'; the throne-title used as the king's proper name throughout the exodus narrative.
12
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֗ה נְטֵ֨ה יָדְךָ֜ עַל אֶ֤רֶץ מִצְרַ֨יִם֙ בָּֽאַרְבֶּ֔ה וְיַ֖עַל עַל אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וְיֹאכַל֙ אֶת כָּל עֵ֣שֶׂב הָאָ֔רֶץ אֵ֛ת כָּל אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִשְׁאִ֖יר הַבָּרָֽד
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up over the land of Egypt and eat every plant of the land, all that the hail has left.”
YHWH's command to Moses fulfills the threat of vv.4-5 almost verbatim, tying the locust plague explicitly to what the hail spared (הִשְׁאִיר הַבָּרָד) — the two plagues form a single coordinated act of agricultural devastation.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand...saidWayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); YHWH now speaks directly to Moses, initiating the plague itself.
יְהוָ֜הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413).
מֹשֶׁ֗הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872) Moses; folk-etymologized in Exod 2:10 from מָשָׁה 'draw out', though the name is likely Egyptian in origin.
נְטֵ֨הstretch outQal impv 2ms · נָטָה (H5186)Volitional main verb (divine command)→ Volitional: imperatival commandנָטָה (H5186) 'to stretch out, extend'; the ritual gesture that triggers each plague, performed through Moses' agency but by divine power.
יָדְךָ֜your handN c sg constr + 2ms suff · יָד (H3027)Direct object of נְטֵהיָד (H3027) 'hand'; the instrument of the sign-act, echoing the staff/hand gestures of earlier plagues.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'over, upon'.
אֶ֤רֶץthe land ofN c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition עַל (construct head)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct with מִצְרַיִם.
מִצְרַ֨יִם֙EgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; a dual-form place name, traditionally read as 'the two lands' (Upper and Lower Egypt).
בָּֽאַרְבֶּ֔הfor the locustsprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · אַרְבֶּה (H697)Purpose/result prepositional phrase (bringing about the locusts)אַרְבֶּה (H697) 'locust'; the purpose of the hand-gesture — to summon the plague announced in v.4.
וְיַ֖עַלthat it may come upconj וְ + Qal jussive 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Purpose/result verb (subordinate to נְטֵה)→ Volitional/jussive: purposive — the intended consequence of the sign-actעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; locusts characteristically 'come up' over a land, as later in Joel and Amos.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921).
אֶ֣רֶץthe land ofN c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition עַל (construct head)אֶרֶץ (H776); repeated for emphasis.
מִצְרָ֑יִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; a dual-form place name, traditionally read as 'the two lands' (Upper and Lower Egypt).
וְיֹאכַל֙and may eatconj וְ + Qal jussive/impf 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Purpose/result verb (subordinate to נְטֵה)→ Volitional/jussive: purposive — continuing the intended consequenceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat, devour'; the destructive purpose of the plague, as announced in v.5.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'.
עֵ֣שֶׂבplant ofN m sg constr · עֵשֶׂב (H6212)Genitive complement (construct chain)עֵשֶׂב (H6212) 'herb, green plant, vegetation'; the broader category beyond trees, targeted alongside them.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complementאֶרֶץ (H776); the land whose vegetation is entirely stripped.
אֵ֛ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (second object)
כָּלall thatN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605); introduces the second object, the hail's remnant.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the clause specifying what the hail spared.
הִשְׁאִ֖ירleft/sparedHiphil perf 3ms · שָׁאַר (H7604)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed actשָׁאַר (H7604) Hiphil 'to leave remaining, spare'; the hail's leftover growth becomes the locusts' final target, per the announcement in v.5.
הַבָּרָֽדthe hailart + N m sg abs · בָּרָד (H1259)Subject of הִשְׁאִירבָּרָד (H1259) 'hail'; subject of the relative clause, recalling the prior plague.
13
וַיֵּ֨ט מֹשֶׁ֣ה אֶת מַטֵּהוּ֮ עַל אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַיִם֒ וַֽיהוָ֗ה נִהַ֤ג ר֥וּחַ קָדִים֙ בָּאָ֔רֶץ כָּל הַיּ֥וֹם הַה֖וּא וְכָל הַלָּ֑יְלָה הַבֹּ֣קֶר הָיָ֔ה וְר֨וּחַ֙ הַקָּדִ֔ים נָשָׂ֖א אֶת הָאַרְבֶּֽה
So Moses stretched out his staff over the land of Egypt, and the LORD drove an east wind over the land all that day and all that night; when it was morning, the east wind had brought the locusts.
The verse pairs Moses' ritual gesture with YHWH's direct meteorological action (נִהַג רוּחַ קָדִים) — the miracle works through, not despite, ordinary weather, with the locusts' arrival timed precisely to the following morning after a full day-and-night wind.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וַיֵּ֨טand...stretched outWayyiqtol 3ms · נָטָה (H5186)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָטָה (H5186) 'to stretch out'; Moses obeys the command of v.12 exactly.
מֹשֶׁ֣הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872) Moses; folk-etymologized in Exod 2:10 from מָשָׁה 'draw out', though the name is likely Egyptian in origin.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
מַטֵּהוּ֮his staffN m sg constr + 3ms suff · מַטֶּה (H4294)Direct object of וַיֵּטמַטֶּה (H4294) 'staff, rod'; the instrument through which Moses' hand-gesture is enacted, as in the hail and earlier plagues.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921).
אֶ֣רֶץthe land ofN c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition עַל (construct head)אֶרֶץ (H776).
מִצְרַיִם֒EgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; a dual-form place name, traditionally read as 'the two lands' (Upper and Lower Egypt).
וַֽיהוָ֗הand the LORDconj וְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject (fronted, coordinate clause)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
נִהַ֤גdrove/ledPiel perf 3ms · נָהַג (H5090)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actנָהַג (H5090) Piel 'to drive, lead, conduct'; YHWH personally directs the wind as his instrument, underscoring his sovereignty over nature.
ר֥וּחַa wind ofN c sg constr · רוּחַ (H7307)Direct object (construct head)רוּחַ (H7307) 'wind, spirit, breath'; here a literal east wind, God's agent for summoning the locusts.
קָדִים֙eastN m sg abs · קָדִים (H6921)Genitive complement (construct chain)קָדִים (H6921) 'east (wind)'; the hot, dry wind blowing from the eastern desert into Egypt, a natural vehicle for locust swarms from Sinai/Arabia.
בָּאָ֔רֶץin/on the landprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776); the wind blows across Egypt itself.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Temporal quantifier (construct head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, the whole of'.
הַיּ֥וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement (temporal accusative)יוֹם (H3117); with הַהוּא, 'that whole day' — the wind blows continuously.
הַה֖וּאthatart + indep pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative (modifies הַיּוֹם)הוּא (H1931) used demonstratively, 'that (day)'.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate temporal quantifierכֹּל (H3605); extends the duration through the night as well.
הַלָּ֑יְלָהthe nightart + N m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Genitive complement (temporal accusative, coordinate)לַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; the east wind persists a full day-and-night cycle before the locusts arrive.
הַבֹּ֣קֶרthe morningart + N m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Subject of הָיָהבֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; marks the moment of arrival, paralleling the timing of other plague onsets.
הָיָ֔הcame/wasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, come about'; 'the morning came' — marking the transition to daylight when the locusts appear.
וְר֨וּחַ֙and the wind ofconj וְ + N c sg constr · רוּחַ (H7307)Subject (construct head, coordinate clause)רוּחַ (H7307); resumed as subject of the final clause bringing in the locusts.
הַקָּדִ֔יםthe eastart + N m sg abs · קָדִים (H6921)Genitive complement (construct chain)קָדִים (H6921); the same wind named again, now the explicit agent of transport.
נָשָׂ֖אcarried/boreQal perf 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; the wind physically transports the locust swarm into Egypt.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הָאַרְבֶּֽהthe locustsart + N m sg abs (collective) · אַרְבֶּה (H697)Direct object of נָשָׂאאַרְבֶּה (H697); the collective swarm, now explicitly named as arriving, resolving the tension since v.4.
14
וַיַּ֣עַל הָֽאַרְבֶּ֗ה עַ֚ל כָּל אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם וַיָּ֕נַח בְּכֹ֖ל גְּב֣וּל מִצְרָ֑יִם כָּבֵ֣ד מְאֹ֔ד לְ֠פָנָיו לֹא הָ֨יָה כֵ֤ן אַרְבֶּה֙ כָּמֹ֔הוּ וְאַחֲרָ֖יו לֹ֥א יִֽהְיֶה כֵּֽן
The locusts came up over all the land of Egypt and settled on the whole territory of Egypt in great, dense numbers; never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again.
The verse frames the plague with a chiastic 'never before... never after' formula (לֹא הָיָה כֵן...לֹא יִהְיֶה כֵן), a stock hyperbolic superlative also used of the hail (9:24) and later of Josiah's Passover (2 Kgs 23:22), marking this as historically unparalleled.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיַּ֣עַלand...came upWayyiqtol 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; the locusts arrive exactly as commanded in v.12.
הָֽאַרְבֶּ֗הthe locustsart + N m sg abs (collective) · אַרְבֶּה (H697)Subjectאַרְבֶּה (H697); the swarm as a collective singular subject.
עַ֚לoverprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921).
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct head)כֹּל (H3605); totalizes the extent of the land covered.
אֶ֣רֶץthe land ofN c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776).
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; a dual-form place name, traditionally read as 'the two lands' (Upper and Lower Egypt).
וַיָּ֕נַחand it settledWayyiqtol 3ms · נוּחַ (H5117)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנוּחַ (H5117) 'to rest, settle down'; the swarm descends and comes to rest across the whole territory.
בְּכֹ֖לin allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Locative prepositional phrase (construct head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
גְּב֣וּלthe territory ofN m sg constr · גְּבוּל (H1366)Genitive complement (construct chain)גְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, territory'; the entirety of Egypt's bounded land, echoing v.4.
מִצְרָ֑יִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; a dual-form place name, traditionally read as 'the two lands' (Upper and Lower Egypt).
כָּבֵ֣דsevereadj m sg abs · כָּבֵד (H3515)Predicate adjective (main clause)כָּבֵד (H3515) 'heavy, severe, grievous'; the same root used of Pharaoh's 'hardened' (הִכְבַּדְתִּי) heart in v.1 — the plague's severity mirrors his own obstinacy.
מְאֹ֔דveryadv · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial intensifier (modifies כָּבֵד)מְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; intensifies כָּבֵד — an unparalleled severity.
לְ֠פָנָיוbefore itprep לְ + N c pl constr + 3ms suff · פָּנִים (H6440)Comparative prepositional phrase (temporal 'before')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatically 'before it' = prior to this locust plague, in time.
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of following verbלֹא (H3808).
הָ֨יָהwas/existedQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed state, negated to express total noveltyהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist'; the negated perfect underscores the plague's unprecedented severity, matching the hyperbole of v.6.
כֵ֤ןsuch/soadv · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial complement (predicate of הָיָה)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; 'there had not been so (great) a locust plague'.
אַרְבֶּה֙a locust (plague)N m sg abs (collective) · אַרְבֶּה (H697)Subject of הָיָהאַרְבֶּה (H697); subject of the negated existential clause — no locust plague like this one.
כָּמֹ֔הוּlike itprep כְּ + 3ms suffComparative prepositional phrase (modifies אַרְבֶּה)prep כְּ + 3ms suffix, 'like it' — nothing comparable in the past.
וְאַחֲרָ֖יוand after itconj וְ + prep אַחַר + 3ms suff · H310Temporal prepositional phrase (coordinate clause)אַחַר (H310) 'after'; opens the matching claim about the future.
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of following verbלֹא (H3808).
יִֽהְיֶהwill beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, negated future)→ Yiqtol: modal/future — negated absolute claimהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist'; the negated imperfect completes the superlative frame — none before, none after.
כֵּֽןsuch/soadv · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial complement (predicate of יִהְיֶה)כֵּן (H3651); closes the inclusio begun with כֵן...הָיָה earlier in the verse — an absolute superlative claim of unmatched severity.
15
וַיְכַ֞ס אֶת עֵ֣ין כָּל הָאָרֶץ֮ וַתֶּחְשַׁ֣ךְ הָאָרֶץ֒ וַיֹּ֜אכַל אֶת כָּל עֵ֣שֶׂב הָאָ֗רֶץ וְאֵת֙ כָּל פְּרִ֣י הָעֵ֔ץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הוֹתִ֖יר הַבָּרָ֑ד וְלֹא נוֹתַ֨ר כָּל יֶ֧רֶק בָּעֵ֛ץ וּבְעֵ֥שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה בְּכָל אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם
For they covered the face of the whole land, so that the land was darkened, and they ate every plant of the land and all the fruit of the trees that the hail had left; nothing green was left on tree or plant of the field through all the land of Egypt.
The verse closes the locust episode with total-negation language (וְלֹא נוֹתַר כָּל יֶרֶק) that leaves no ambiguity: between the hail and the locusts, Egypt's entire vegetation — trees and field-plants alike — is annihilated, setting up Pharaoh's immediate capitulation in v.16.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
וַיְכַ֞סand it coveredWayyiqtol 3ms · כָּסָה (H3680)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceכָּסָה (H3680) 'to cover'; fulfills the threat of v.5.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
עֵ֣יןthe surface ofN c sg constr · עַיִן (H5869)Direct object (construct head, idiom)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiom for the visible surface of the land, as in v.5.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605).
הָאָרֶץ֮the landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776).
וַתֶּחְשַׁ֣ךְand...was darkenedWayyiqtol 3fs · חָשַׁךְ (H2821)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָשַׁךְ (H2821) 'to become dark'; the swarm is so dense it blots out the light, foreshadowing the literal darkness of vv.21-23.
הָאָרֶץ֒the landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of וַתֶּחְשַׁךְאֶרֶץ (H776).
וַיֹּ֜אכַלand it ateWayyiqtol 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat, devour'; the destruction described begins.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605).
עֵ֣שֶׂבplant ofN m sg constr · עֵשֶׂב (H6212)Genitive complement (construct chain)עֵשֶׂב (H6212) 'herb, vegetation'.
הָאָ֗רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complementאֶרֶץ (H776).
וְאֵת֙and [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605).
פְּרִ֣יthe fruit ofN m sg constr · פְּרִי (H6529)Genitive complement (construct chain)פְּרִי (H6529) 'fruit'; every tree's produce, extending beyond leaves to the fruit itself.
הָעֵ֔ץthe tree(s)art + N m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Genitive complement (construct chain)עֵץ (H6086) 'tree'.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834).
הוֹתִ֖ירleft/sparedHiphil perf 3ms · יָתַר (H3498)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed actיָתַר (H3498) Hiphil 'to leave remaining'; synonym of שָׁאַר in v.12, again marking what the hail failed to destroy.
הַבָּרָ֑דthe hailart + N m sg abs · בָּרָד (H1259)Subject of הוֹתִירבָּרָד (H1259).
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of following verbלֹא (H3808).
נוֹתַ֨רwas leftNiphal perf 3ms · יָתַר (H3498)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective (passive): a completed state, negated to express total absenceיָתַר (H3498) Niphal 'to be left over, remain'; the negated passive states the totality of destruction — nothing green survives anywhere.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (quantifier, construct head)כֹּל (H3605).
יֶ֧רֶקgreeneryN m sg abs · יֶרֶק (H3418)Genitive complement (construct chain)יֶרֶק (H3418) 'greenery, green growth'; the broadest category of vegetation, summing up trees and field-plants together.
בָּעֵ֛ץon the treeprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Locative prepositional phraseעֵץ (H6086).
וּבְעֵ֥שֶׂבor on the plant ofconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · עֵשֶׂב (H6212)Coordinate locative prepositional phraseעֵשֶׂב (H6212).
הַשָּׂדֶ֖הthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Genitive complement (construct chain)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field'.
בְּכָלin allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Locative prepositional phrase (construct head)כֹּל (H3605).
אֶ֥רֶץthe land ofN c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776).
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; a dual-form place name, traditionally read as 'the two lands' (Upper and Lower Egypt).
16
וַיְמַהֵ֣ר פַּרְעֹ֔ה לִקְרֹ֖א לְמֹשֶׁ֣ה וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֑ן וַיֹּ֗אמֶר חָטָ֛אתִי לַיהוָ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם וְלָכֶֽם
Then Pharaoh hurried to call Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you.
Pharaoh's haste (וַיְמַהֵר) and explicit confession (חָטָאתִי) mark the most direct admission of guilt in the cycle so far, yet the narrative has already signaled (v.1, v.20) that this repentance is circumstantial rather than genuine.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיְמַהֵ֣רand...hurriedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · מָהַר (H4116)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָהַר (H4116) Piel 'to hurry, hasten'; Pharaoh's urgency signals genuine alarm at the plague's severity.
פַּרְעֹ֔הPharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Subjectפַּרְעֹה (H6547), from Egyptian pr-ʿ3 'great house'; the throne-title used as the king's proper name throughout the exodus narrative.
לִקְרֹ֖אto callprep לְ + Qal inf constr · קָרָא (H7121)Purpose infinitive (complement of וַיְמַהֵר)→ Infinitival: purposive, non-finiteקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, summon'; Pharaoh urgently recalls the two he had just driven out (v.11).
לְמֹשֶׁ֣הfor Mosesprep לְ + N proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of לִקְרֹאמֹשֶׁה (H4872) Moses; folk-etymologized in Exod 2:10 from מָשָׁה 'draw out', though the name is likely Egyptian in origin.
וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֑ןand for Aaronconj וְ + prep לְ + N proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Coordinate object of לִקְרֹאאַהֲרֹן (H175); summoned together with Moses, as always.
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand he saidWayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); introduces Pharaoh's confession.
חָטָ֛אתִיI have sinnedQal perf 1cs · חָטָא (H2398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, acknowledged actחָטָא (H2398) 'to sin, miss the mark'; Pharaoh's most explicit confession yet, though its sincerity will prove short-lived (v.20).
לַיהוָ֥הagainst the LORDprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Complement of חָטָאתִייְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖םyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2mp suffix; Pharaoh still speaks of YHWH as 'your' God, not his own.
וְלָכֶֽםand against youconj וְ + prep לְ + 2mp suffCoordinate complement of חָטָאתִיprep לְ + 2mp suffix; Pharaoh extends his confession of sin to Moses and Aaron personally.
17
וְעַתָּ֗ה שָׂ֣א נָ֤א חַטָּאתִי֙ אַ֣ךְ הַפַּ֔עַם וְהַעְתִּ֖ירוּ לַיהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם וְיָסֵר֙ מֵֽעָלַ֔י רַ֖ק אֶת הַמָּ֥וֶת הַזֶּֽה
Now therefore, please forgive my sin only this once, and plead with the LORD your God to remove this death from me.”
Pharaoh's restrictive qualifiers (אַךְ הַפַּעַם 'only this time', רַק 'only') betray the limits of his repentance even as he asks for it: he wants relief from 'this death,' not a change of heart, which is exactly what v.20 confirms.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְעַתָּ֗הand nowconj וְ + adv · עַתָּה (H6258)Discourse marker (introduces the plea)עַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; transitions from confession to urgent request.
שָׂ֣אforgiveQal impv 2ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Volitional main verb (plea)→ Volitional: imperatival entreatyנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; idiomatically 'to forgive' (lift/bear away sin) — the same verb used literally of the wind 'carrying' the locusts (v.13).
נָ֤אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Discourse particle (softens the imperative)נָא (H4994); marks the request as an urgent plea rather than a demand.
חַטָּאתִי֙my sinN f sg constr + 1cs suff · חַטָּאת (H2403)Direct object of שָׂאחַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin, sin-offering'; Pharaoh names the specific transgression he had just confessed.
אַ֣ךְonlyadv · אַךְ (H389)Restrictive adverb (modifies הַפַּעַם)אַךְ (H389) 'only, surely'; restricts the plea to this single occasion.
הַפַּ֔עַםthis timeart + N f sg abs · פַּעַם (H6471)Temporal adverbial accusativeפַּעַם (H6471) 'time, occasion'; Pharaoh's plea is carefully limited — 'just this once' — foreshadowing his return to obstinacy.
וְהַעְתִּ֖ירוּand entreatconj וְ + Hiphil impv 2mp · עָתַר (H6279)Coordinate volitional verb (plea)→ Volitional: imperatival entreatyעָתַר (H6279) Hiphil 'to entreat, plead, pray'; Pharaoh asks Moses and Aaron to intercede on his behalf, as in prior plagues.
לַיהוָ֣הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of וְהַעְתִּירוּיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑םyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2mp suffix.
וְיָסֵר֙that he may removeconj וְ + Hiphil jussive 3ms · סוּר (H5493)Purpose/result verb (subordinate to the entreaty)→ Volitional/jussive: purposive — the intended outcome of intercessionסוּר (H5493) Hiphil 'to cause to turn aside, remove'; the requested outcome — removal of the plague itself.
מֵֽעָלַ֔יfrom meprep מִן + prep עַל + 1cs suff · H5921Source prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) with מִן, 'from upon me' — the locusts (or their effect) resting on Pharaoh personally.
רַ֖קonlyadv · רַק (H7535)Restrictive adverb (modifies the following object)רַק (H7535) 'only'; restricts the request to removal of just one thing — this death, not necessarily broader consequences.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַמָּ֥וֶתthe deathart + N m sg abs · מָוֶת (H4194)Direct object of וְיָסֵרמָוֶת (H4194) 'death'; Pharaoh calls the locust plague 'this death' — perhaps because it threatens Egypt's food supply and thus life itself, or hyperbolically names its deadly severity.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstr pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative (modifies הַמָּוֶת)זֶה (H2088) 'this'; specifies the present, ongoing calamity.
18
וַיֵּצֵ֖א מֵעִ֣ם פַּרְעֹ֑ה וַיֶּעְתַּ֖ר אֶל יְהוָֽה
So he went out from Pharaoh and pleaded with the LORD.
The brief, businesslike report (וַיֵּצֵא...וַיֶּעְתַּר) mirrors the pattern of earlier plague-cycles: Moses reliably intercedes even though he — and the reader — already suspects Pharaoh's repentance is not durable.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיֵּצֵ֖אand he went outWayyiqtol 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Moses departs Pharaoh's presence to intercede.
מֵעִ֣םfrom withprep מִן + prep עִם · H5973Source prepositional phraseעִם (H5973) 'with', compounded with מִן: 'from being with, away from'.
פַּרְעֹ֑הPharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Object of preposition מֵעִםפַּרְעֹה (H6547), from Egyptian pr-ʿ3 'great house'; the throne-title used as the king's proper name throughout the exodus narrative.
וַיֶּעְתַּ֖רand he pleadedWayyiqtol 3ms · עָתַר (H6279)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָתַר (H6279) Qal 'to plead, entreat'; Moses grants Pharaoh's request and intercedes, as he had for prior plagues.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413); marks the LORD as the object of the intercession.
יְהוָֽהthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of preposition אֶליְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
19
וַיַּהֲפֹ֨ךְ יְהוָ֤ה רֽוּחַ יָם֙ חָזָ֣ק מְאֹ֔ד וַיִּשָּׂא֙ אֶת הָ֣אַרְבֶּ֔ה וַיִּתְקָעֵ֖הוּ יָ֣מָּה סּ֑וּף לֹ֤א נִשְׁאַר֙ אַרְבֶּ֣ה אֶחָ֔ד בְּכֹ֖ל גְּב֥וּל מִצְרָֽיִם
And the LORD turned a very strong west wind, which lifted the locusts and drove them into the Red Sea; not a single locust was left in all the territory of Egypt.
The wind that brought the plague (east, v.13) is answered by an opposite wind (sea/west) that removes it completely, carrying the locusts into יַם סוּף — the very sea that will later swallow Pharaoh's army, a quiet narrative foreshadowing.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיַּהֲפֹ֨ךְand...turned/reversedWayyiqtol 3ms · הָפַךְ (H2015)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָפַךְ (H2015) 'to turn, overturn, reverse'; God reverses the very wind that brought the plague, showing total mastery over it.
יְהוָ֤הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
רֽוּחַa wind ofN c sg constr · רוּחַ (H7307)Direct object (construct head)רוּחַ (H7307) 'wind'; here the sea-wind sent to reverse the plague.
יָם֙seaN m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Genitive complement (construct chain)יָם (H3220) 'sea'; a west wind blowing from the Mediterranean, opposite in direction to the east wind of v.13.
חָזָ֣קstrongadj m sg abs · חָזָק (H2389)Attributive adjective (modifies רוּחַ יָם)חָזָק (H2389) 'strong, mighty'; the reversing wind is at least as forceful as the one that brought the locusts.
מְאֹ֔דveryadv · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial intensifier (modifies חָזָק)מְאֹד (H3966) 'very'; intensifies the wind's strength.
וַיִּשָּׂא֙and it liftedWayyiqtol 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry'; the same verb as v.13, now reversing the earlier action — what the east wind brought in, the west wind carries out.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הָ֣אַרְבֶּ֔הthe locustsart + N m sg abs (collective) · אַרְבֶּה (H697)Direct object of וַיִּשָּׂאאַרְבֶּה (H697); the same swarm, now removed as completely as it arrived.
וַיִּתְקָעֵ֖הוּand it thrust itWayyiqtol 3ms + 3ms suff · תָּקַע (H8628)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceתָּקַע (H8628) 'to thrust, drive, blow'; a forceful verb (also used of trumpet-blasts) for the violent disposal of the swarm.
יָ֣מָּהseawardN m sg constr/directional he · יָם (H3220)Directional adverbial (goal of וַיִּתְקָעֵהוּ)יָם (H3220) 'sea' with directional הּ, 'toward the sea/seaward' — modifying סּוּף that follows to specify which sea.
סּ֑וּףof reedsN m sg abs · סוּף (H5488)Genitive complement (specifies יָמָּה)סוּף (H5488) 'reed, reed-grass'; יַם סוּף, the 'Sea of Reeds' — the same body of water Israel will later cross (14:16-31).
לֹ֤אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of following verbלֹא (H3808).
נִשְׁאַר֙was leftNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁאַר (H7604)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective (passive): a completed state, negated to express total removalשָׁאַר (H7604) Niphal 'to be left, remain'; the negation is absolute — total reversal of the plague, symmetrical to the total devastation of v.15.
אַרְבֶּ֣הlocustN m sg abs (collective) · אַרְבֶּה (H697)Subject of נִשְׁאַראַרְבֶּה (H697).
אֶחָ֔דone/a singleadj m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral (modifies אַרְבֶּה)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; emphasizes the totality of the removal — not a single locust remained.
בְּכֹ֖לin allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Locative prepositional phrase (construct head)כֹּל (H3605).
גְּב֥וּלthe territory ofN m sg constr · גְּבוּל (H1366)Genitive complement (construct chain)גְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, territory'; echoing v.4 and v.14 — the same bounded land now completely cleared.
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; a dual-form place name, traditionally read as 'the two lands' (Upper and Lower Egypt).
20
וַיְחַזֵּ֥ק יְהוָ֖ה אֶת לֵ֣ב פַּרְעֹ֑ה וְלֹ֥א שִׁלַּ֖ח אֶת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the sons of Israel go.
This terse concluding formula (identical in structure to the close of prior plague reports) confirms that Pharaoh's dramatic confession in v.16 produced no lasting change — the hardening motif of v.1 is realized exactly as announced, closing the locust unit.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיְחַזֵּ֥קand...hardenedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · חָזַק (H2388)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָזַק (H2388) Piel 'to strengthen, harden'; a synonym of כָּבֵד (v.1), used of YHWH's own hardening action.
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
לֵ֣בthe heart ofN m sg constr · לֵב (H3820)Direct object (construct head)לֵב (H3820) 'heart'; the same organ named in v.1, now confirmed hardened despite the confession of v.16.
פַּרְעֹ֑הPharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive complement (construct chain)פַּרְעֹה (H6547), from Egyptian pr-ʿ3 'great house'; the throne-title used as the king's proper name throughout the exodus narrative.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of following verbלֹא (H3808).
שִׁלַּ֖חhe let goQal perf 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed act negated — the settled outcomeשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send away'; the negated form states the final, decisive result of the hardening: no release occurs.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object (construct head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement (construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the covenant people, named here by their full patriarchal designation, 'sons of Israel'.
21
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֗ה נְטֵ֤ה יָֽדְךָ֙ עַל הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וִ֥יהִי חֹ֖שֶׁךְ עַל אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וְיָמֵ֖שׁ חֹֽשֶׁךְ
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the heavens, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness that can be felt.”
The ninth plague strikes at Ra, Egypt's sun-god, and the striking image חֹשֶׁךְ...וְיָמֵשׁ חֹשֶׁךְ ('darkness that can be felt') marks a qualitative intensification beyond ordinary night — a tangible, oppressive gloom.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand...saidWayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); a new plague-cycle opens, again with a direct divine command.
יְהוָ֜הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413).
מֹשֶׁ֗הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872) Moses; folk-etymologized in Exod 2:10 from מָשָׁה 'draw out', though the name is likely Egyptian in origin.
נְטֵ֤הstretch outQal impv 2ms · נָטָה (H5186)Volitional main verb (divine command)→ Volitional: imperatival commandנָטָה (H5186) 'to stretch out'; the same gesture as v.12, now directed skyward rather than over the land.
יָֽדְךָ֙your handN c sg constr + 2ms suff · יָד (H3027)Direct object of נְטֵהיָד (H3027) 'hand'.
עַלtowardprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on, toward'.
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Object of preposition עַלשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; unlike the locust plague (directed 'over the land'), this gesture targets the sky itself, the source of light.
וִ֥יהִיthat there may beconj וְ + Qal jussive 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Purpose/result verb (subordinate to נְטֵה)→ Volitional/jussive: purposive — the intended consequence of the sign-actהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, come about'; introduces the resulting darkness.
חֹ֖שֶׁךְdarknessN m sg abs · חֹשֶׁךְ (H2822)Subject of וִיהִיחֹשֶׁךְ (H2822) 'darkness'; the ninth plague — a direct assault on the sun-god Ra, chief deity of Egyptian religion.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921).
אֶ֣רֶץthe land ofN c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition עַל (construct head)אֶרֶץ (H776).
מִצְרָ֑יִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; a dual-form place name, traditionally read as 'the two lands' (Upper and Lower Egypt).
וְיָמֵ֖שׁthat one may feelconj וְ + Hiphil jussive 3ms · מוּשׁ (H4959)Purpose/result verb (continuing subordinate to נְטֵה)→ Volitional/jussive: purposive — the intended tactile quality of the darknessמוּשׁ (H4959) Hiphil, a rare verb 'to feel, grope, touch'; the famous phrase behind the traditional 'darkness which may be felt' — the darkness is depicted as having near-tangible substance.
חֹֽשֶׁךְdarknessN m sg abs · חֹשֶׁךְ (H2822)Subject/object of וְיָמֵשׁ (idiomatic reduplication)חֹשֶׁךְ (H2822); repeated for emphasis — thick darkness that can almost be touched.
22
וַיֵּ֥ט מֹשֶׁ֛ה אֶת יָד֖וֹ עַל הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם וַיְהִ֧י חֹֽשֶׁךְ אֲפֵלָ֛ה בְּכָל אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים
So Moses stretched out his hand toward the heavens, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.
The narrator intensifies the divine word's חֹשֶׁךְ with the rarer אֲפֵלָה ('thick gloom'), and specifies a three-day duration — among the longest single-plague spans in the cycle, underscoring its severity.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֵּ֥טand...stretched outWayyiqtol 3ms · נָטָה (H5186)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָטָה (H5186); Moses again obeys the command exactly.
מֹשֶׁ֛הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872) Moses; folk-etymologized in Exod 2:10 from מָשָׁה 'draw out', though the name is likely Egyptian in origin.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
יָד֖וֹhis handN c sg constr + 3ms suff · יָד (H3027)Direct object of וַיֵּטיָד (H3027) 'hand'; unlike v.13 (staff over the land), here the hand alone is stretched toward the sky.
עַלtowardprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921).
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Object of preposition עַלשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'.
וַיְהִ֧יand there wasWayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, come about'; the darkness materializes as commanded.
חֹֽשֶׁךְdarkness ofN m sg constr · חֹשֶׁךְ (H2822)Subject (construct head)חֹשֶׁךְ (H2822) 'darkness'.
אֲפֵלָ֛הthick gloomN f sg abs · אֲפֵלָה (H653)Genitive complement (construct chain, intensifying)אֲפֵלָה (H653) 'thick darkness, gloom'; a stronger, rarer term than חֹשֶׁךְ alone, intensifying the plague's severity (cf. the same pairing at the theophany of Deut 4:11).
בְּכָלin allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Locative prepositional phrase (construct head)כֹּל (H3605).
אֶ֥רֶץthe land ofN c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776).
מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; a dual-form place name, traditionally read as 'the two lands' (Upper and Lower Egypt).
שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁתthree ofN f sg constr · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Temporal adverbial accusative (construct head)שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; specifies the plague's duration.
יָמִֽיםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement (construct chain)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the darkness lasts a full three days, an unusually long single plague-duration.
23
לֹֽא רָא֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶת אָחִ֗יו וְלֹא קָ֛מוּ אִ֥ישׁ מִתַּחְתָּ֖יו שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֑ים וּֽלְכָל בְּנֵ֧י יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל הָ֥יָה א֖וֹר בְּמוֹשְׁבֹתָֽם
No one could see another, nor could anyone rise from where he was for three days; but all the sons of Israel had light in their dwellings.
The verse's structure pivots sharply on 'but' (וּלְכָל), isolating Israel's dwellings as an enclave of light amid total Egyptian darkness — a preview of the Passover's decisive distinction between the two peoples (11:7; 12:13).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
לֹֽאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of following verbלֹא (H3808).
רָא֞וּthey sawQal perf 3cp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed state, negated to express total incapacityרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the darkness is so total that mutual recognition becomes impossible.
אִ֣ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive subject ('each')אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; used distributively with the following אָחִיו, 'each his brother' = no one could see anyone.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
אָחִ֗יוhis brotherN m sg constr + 3ms suff · אָח (H251)Direct object of רָאוּאָח (H251) 'brother'; completes the distributive idiom אִישׁ אֶת אָחִיו, 'no one could see another'.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of following verbלֹא (H3808).
קָ֛מוּthey aroseQal perf 3cp · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed state, negated to express total incapacityקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, get up'; the darkness is so paralyzing that no one even moves from their place.
אִ֥ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive subject ('each')אִישׁ (H376); again distributive, 'each (from his place)'.
מִתַּחְתָּ֖יוfrom his placeprep מִן + prep תַּחַת + 3ms suff · H8478Locative prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, in place of'; idiomatically 'from where he was' — total physical immobilization.
שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁתthree ofN f sg constr · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Temporal adverbial accusative (construct head)שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'.
יָמִ֑יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement (construct chain)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the full three-day span.
וּֽלְכָלbut for allconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Dative/possessive prepositional phrase (contrastive)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; introduces the sharp contrast with Israel.
בְּנֵ֧יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive complement (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement (construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the covenant people, sharply distinguished from the Egyptians in this plague.
הָ֥יָהthere wasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist'; states the positive counterpart to Egypt's darkness.
א֖וֹרlightN c sg abs · אוֹר (H216)Subject of הָיָהאוֹר (H216) 'light'; the Israelites alone retain light, a striking act of discrimination anticipating the Passover's distinction between Israel and Egypt.
בְּמוֹשְׁבֹתָֽםin their dwellingsprep בְּ + N m pl constr + 3mp suff · מוֹשָׁב (H4186)Locative prepositional phraseמוֹשָׁב (H4186) 'dwelling place, settlement'; light fills Israel's homes even as thick darkness envelops Egypt around them.
24
וַיִּקְרָ֨א פַרְעֹ֜ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֗ה וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ לְכוּ֙ עִבְד֣וּ אֶת יְהוָ֔ה רַ֛ק צֹאנְכֶ֥ם וּבְקַרְכֶ֖ם יֻצָּ֑ג גַּֽם טַפְּכֶ֖ם יֵלֵ֥ךְ עִמָּכֶֽם
Then Pharaoh called Moses and said, “Go, serve the LORD; only your flocks and your herds shall be left behind. Even your little ones may go with you.”
Pharaoh finally grants the people's departure — even the טַף he had begrudged earlier — but the רַק-clause reveals his final bargaining tactic: retain the flocks and herds as collateral, precisely the sacrificial animals Moses cannot do without (v.25-26).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיִּקְרָ֨אand...calledWayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, summon'; Pharaoh again initiates contact, as after the locusts (v.16).
פַרְעֹ֜הPharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Subjectפַּרְעֹה (H6547), from Egyptian pr-ʿ3 'great house'; the throne-title used as the king's proper name throughout the exodus narrative.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413).
מֹשֶׁ֗הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872) Moses; folk-etymologized in Exod 2:10 from מָשָׁה 'draw out', though the name is likely Egyptian in origin.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and he saidWayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); Pharaoh opens a new round of bargaining.
לְכוּ֙goQal impv 2mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Volitional main verb (concession)→ Volitional: imperatival permissionהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; Pharaoh's concession now goes further than before, permitting the people themselves to leave.
עִבְד֣וּserveQal impv 2mp · עָבַד (H5647)Volitional main verb (coordinate imperative)→ Volitional: imperatival permissionעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; the standard formula of permission.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
יְהוָ֔הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of עִבְדוּיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
רַ֛קonlyadv · רַק (H7535)Restrictive adverb (introduces the withheld exception)רַק (H7535) 'only'; introduces Pharaoh's remaining condition — the last bargaining chip.
צֹאנְכֶ֥םyour flocksN c sg constr + 2mp suff · צֹאן (H6629)Subject of יֻצָּגצֹאן (H6629) 'flock'; Pharaoh now moves from restricting people (vv.10-11) to restricting property.
וּבְקַרְכֶ֖םand your herdsconj וְ + N c sg constr + 2mp suff · בָּקָר (H1241)Coordinate subjectבָּקָר (H1241) 'herd, cattle'; paired with צֹאן, the same merism Moses used in v.9 — now Pharaoh tries to withhold exactly what Moses insisted must go.
יֻצָּ֑גshall be left/stationedHophal impf 3ms · יָצַג (H3322)Predicate verb (main clause, passive)→ Yiqtol: modal — Pharaoh's imposed conditionיָצַג (H3322) Hophal 'to be set, stationed, left standing'; Pharaoh demands the livestock remain behind as collateral, ensuring the people's return.
גַּֽםalsoadv · גַּם (H1571)Additive adverb (concessive contrast)גַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; concedes one further point, perhaps to soften the harsh restriction just stated.
טַפְּכֶ֖םyour little onesN m sg constr + 2mp suff · טַף (H2945)Subject of יֵלֵךְטַף (H2945) 'little ones, dependents'; Pharaoh now permits even the dependents to go, a real concession beyond v.11 and v.10.
יֵלֵ֥ךְshall goQal impf 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: permissive futureהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; grants the dependents' departure.
עִמָּכֶֽםwith youprep עִם + 2mp suff (H5973)Comitative prepositional phraseעִם (H5973) 'with'; the little ones may accompany the men, but the flocks and herds may not.
25
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֔ה גַּם אַתָּ֛ה תִּתֵּ֥ן בְּיָדֵ֖נוּ זְבָחִ֣ים וְעֹל֑וֹת וְעָשִׂ֖ינוּ לַיהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ
But Moses said, “You must also give us sacrifices and burnt offerings to offer to the LORD our God.
Moses' emphatic גַּם אַתָּה turns Pharaoh's own concessive particle (גַּם, v.24) back against him: not only may the people's animals not stay behind, but Pharaoh himself would need to supply more, since a proper feast requires both זֶבַח and עֹלָה offerings.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand...saidWayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); Moses immediately rejects the withholding of livestock.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872) Moses; folk-etymologized in Exod 2:10 from מָשָׁה 'draw out', though the name is likely Egyptian in origin.
גַּםalsoadv · גַּם (H1571)Additive adverb (emphatic, echoes Pharaoh's גַּם)גַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; Moses turns Pharaoh's own concessive particle back on him — 'you also must give.'
אַתָּ֛הyouindep pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Emphatic subjectאַתָּה (H859) 2ms independent pronoun, emphasizing Pharaoh personally as the one who must provide.
תִּתֵּ֥ןmust giveQal jussive 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, insistent)→ Volitional/jussive: insistent demandנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; Moses demands that Pharaoh himself supply sacrificial animals — turning the tables on the withholding of v.24.
בְּיָדֵ֖נוּinto our handprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 1cp suff · יָד (H3027)Locative/dative prepositional phraseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiomatic for 'provide us with, put at our disposal'.
זְבָחִ֣יםsacrificesN m pl abs · זֶבַח (H2077)Direct object of תִּתֵּןזֶבַח (H2077) 'sacrifice'; from זָבַח 'to slaughter for sacrifice' — animals for the feast Moses named in v.9.
וְעֹל֑וֹתand burnt offeringsconj וְ + N f pl abs · עֹלָה (H5930)Coordinate direct objectעֹלָה (H5930) 'burnt offering'; from עָלָה 'to go up' (the offering wholly ascends in smoke) — paired with זֶבַח to specify the full range of sacrificial needs.
וְעָשִׂ֖ינוּthat we may offer/prepareconj וְ + Qal perf 1cp (weqatal) · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose/result verb (subordinate to the demand)→ Weqatal: purposive — the intended outcome of the giftעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, offer'; here 'to prepare/offer (sacrifices)', the stated purpose requiring the livestock Pharaoh wants to withhold.
לַיהוָ֥הto the LORDprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Complement of וְעָשִׂינוּיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּour GodN m pl constr + 1cp suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 1cp suffix; Moses, unlike Pharaoh, consistently claims YHWH as 'our God'.
26
וְגַם מִקְנֵ֜נוּ יֵלֵ֣ךְ עִמָּ֗נוּ לֹ֤א תִשָּׁאֵר֙ פַּרְסָ֔ה כִּ֚י מִמֶּ֣נּוּ נִקַּ֔ח לַעֲבֹ֖ד אֶת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ וַאֲנַ֣חְנוּ לֹֽא נֵדַ֗ע מַֽה נַּעֲבֹד֙ אֶת יְהוָ֔ה עַד בֹּאֵ֖נוּ שָֽׁמָּה
Our livestock also must go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind, for we must take some of them to serve the LORD our God, and we do not know with what we must serve the LORD until we arrive there.”
The vivid idiom לֹא תִשָּׁאֵר פַּרְסָה ('not a hoof shall remain') answers Pharaoh's רַק-clause point for point, while Moses' admission that the exact offerings are unknown until Sinai justifies bringing the entire herd — theological logic that leaves Pharaoh no room to negotiate further.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וְגַםand alsoconj וְ + adv · גַּם (H1571)Additive adverb (extends the demand)גַּם (H1571) 'also'; continues Moses' insistence begun in v.25.
מִקְנֵ֜נוּour livestockN m sg constr + 1cp suff · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Subject of יֵלֵךְמִקְנֶה (H4735) 'livestock, cattle'; a general term encompassing both flocks and herds named in v.9 and v.24.
יֵלֵ֣ךְshall goQal impf 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause, insistent future)→ Yiqtol: volitive/insistent futureהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; Moses flatly reasserts what Pharaoh tried to withhold.
עִמָּ֗נוּwith usprep עִם + 1cp suff (H5973)Comitative prepositional phraseעִם (H5973) 'with'.
לֹ֤אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of following verbלֹא (H3808).
תִשָּׁאֵר֙shall be left behindNiphal impf 3fs · שָׁאַר (H7604)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol (passive): modal/future — an absolute negationשָׁאַר (H7604) Niphal 'to be left, remain'; total refusal of Pharaoh's collateral scheme.
פַּרְסָ֔הa hoofN f sg abs · פַּרְסָה (H6541)Subject of תִשָּׁאֵרפַּרְסָה (H6541) 'hoof'; a vivid synecdoche — not even a single hoof-print's worth of livestock will remain.
כִּ֚יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for'; grounds the refusal in ignorance of the exact liturgical requirements.
מִמֶּ֣נּוּfrom it/themprep מִן + 1cp suff · H4480Source prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) + 1cp suffix; 'from it (our livestock)' — the source from which the sacrifice will be drawn.
נִקַּ֔חwe will takeQal impf 1cp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future/volitiveלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Moses insists the animals for sacrifice must be selected from the full herd, not predetermined.
לַעֲבֹ֖דto serveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָבַד (H5647)Purpose infinitive (complement of נִקַּח)→ Infinitival: purposive, non-finiteעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; states the purpose of taking the livestock.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
יְהוָ֣הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of לַעֲבֹדיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּour GodN m pl constr + 1cp suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 1cp suffix.
וַאֲנַ֣חְנוּand weconj וְ + indep pron 1cp · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Emphatic subject (contrastive)אֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 1cp independent pronoun, emphatic — explaining why every animal must be available.
לֹֽאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of following verbלֹא (H3808).
נֵדַ֗עwe knowQal impf 1cp · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: modal — present ignoranceיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; Moses admits the precise sacrificial requirements are not yet revealed.
מַֽהwhatinterrogative pron · מָה (H4100)Interrogative object (of נַּעֲבֹד)מָה (H4100) 'what?'; introduces the unresolved question of which animals will be needed.
נַּעֲבֹד֙we shall serve/sacrifice withQal impf 1cp · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb of embedded clause→ Yiqtol: modal — future uncertaintyעָבַד (H5647); repeated to underline that the specific liturgical needs are still unknown.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
יְהוָ֔הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of נַּעֲבֹדיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'until'.
בֹּאֵ֖נוּour comingQal inf constr + 1cp suff · בּוֹא (H935)Temporal infinitive (complement of עַד)בּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; 'until our arrival there' — the destination is not yet reached, so full requirements are unknown.
שָֽׁמָּהthereadv + directional he · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbial (goal of the journey)שָׁם (H8033) 'there' with directional הּ, 'to there' — the as-yet-unspecified place of worship (Sinai).
27
וַיְחַזֵּ֥ק יְהוָ֖ה אֶת לֵ֣ב פַּרְעֹ֑ה וְלֹ֥א אָבָ֖ה לְשַׁלְּחָֽם
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he was not willing to let them go.
The pairing of divine hardening (וַיְחַזֵּק יְהוָה) with Pharaoh's own unwillingness (וְלֹא אָבָה) captures the narrative's characteristic double-agency: God's sovereign hardening operates through, not against, Pharaoh's own persistent refusal to consent.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיְחַזֵּ֥קand...hardenedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · חָזַק (H2388)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָזַק (H2388) Piel 'to strengthen, harden'; repeats the closing formula of v.20 for this second plague of the pair.
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; MT points it with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי ('Lord') per the qere perpetuum.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
לֵ֣בthe heart ofN m sg constr · לֵב (H3820)Direct object (construct head)לֵב (H3820) 'heart'.
פַּרְעֹ֑הPharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive complement (construct chain)פַּרְעֹה (H6547), from Egyptian pr-ʿ3 'great house'; the throne-title used as the king's proper name throughout the exodus narrative.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of following verbלֹא (H3808).
אָבָ֖הhe was willingQal perf 3ms · אָבָה (H14)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed state negated — settled unwillingnessאָבָה (H14) 'to be willing, consent'; a verb of volition — Pharaoh's refusal is now framed as a choice, alongside the divine hardening, holding both together.
לְשַׁלְּחָֽםto let them goprep לְ + Piel inf constr + 3mp suff · שָׁלַח (H7971)Complementary infinitive (object of אָבָה)→ Infinitival: non-finite complementשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel infinitive + 3mp suffix; 'to send them away' — the perennial, still-unmet demand.
28
וַיֹּֽאמֶר ל֥וֹ פַרְעֹ֖ה לֵ֣ךְ מֵעָלָ֑י הִשָּׁ֣מֶר לְךָ֗ אֶל תֹּ֨סֶף֙ רְא֣וֹת פָּנַ֔י כִּ֗י בְּי֛וֹם רְאֹתְךָ֥ פָנַ֖י תָּמֽוּת
Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me! Take care that you see my face no more, for on the day you see my face you shall die.”
Pharaoh's furious dismissal culminates the escalating pattern of expulsion (v.11) with an explicit death threat, the famous 'see my face no more' — a rupture so total that the final plague (the death of the firstborn, ch.11-12) will indeed be announced without Moses ever returning to petition him again in person before it strikes.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּֽאמֶרand...saidWayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); Pharaoh breaks off negotiations entirely and issues a final threat.
ל֥וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffDirectional/dative prepositional phraseprep לְ + 3ms suffix, 'to him' = to Moses.
פַרְעֹ֖הPharaohN proper · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Subjectפַּרְעֹה (H6547), from Egyptian pr-ʿ3 'great house'; the throne-title used as the king's proper name throughout the exodus narrative.
לֵ֣ךְgoQal impv 2ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Volitional main verb (dismissal)→ Volitional: imperatival dismissalהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; but now not a concession — an angry banishment.
מֵעָלָ֑יfrom meprep מִן + prep עַל + 1cs suff · H5921Source prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) with מִן, 'from upon me' — 'away from me, out of my presence'.
הִשָּׁ֣מֶרtake heedNiphal impv 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Volitional main verb (warning)→ Volitional: imperatival warningשָׁמַר (H8104) Niphal 'to guard oneself, take heed, beware'; introduces a direct, personal threat against Moses.
לְךָ֗for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suffReflexive dative complement of הִשָּׁמֶרprep לְ + 2ms suffix, reflexive/ethical dative reinforcing the warning — 'watch yourself'.
אֶלdo notneg particle (prohibitive) · אַל (H408)Negation (prohibitive, with jussive)אַל (H408), the prohibitive negative used with jussive/short forms — sharper and more immediate than לֹא.
תֹּ֨סֶף֙continue/addHiphil jussive 2ms · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb (prohibition)→ Volitional/jussive: prohibitive — forbidding any repetitionיָסַף (H3254) Hiphil 'to add, continue, do again'; with the following infinitive, 'do not ever again...'.
רְא֣וֹתto seeQal inf constr · רָאָה (H7200)Complementary infinitive (object of תֹּסֶף)→ Infinitival: non-finite complementרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; complement of תֹּסֶף — the forbidden action.
פָּנַ֔יmy faceN c pl constr + 1cs suff · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct object of רְאוֹתפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; the famous phrase 'see my face no more' — banning Moses from ever appearing before Pharaoh again.
כִּ֗יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for'; grounds the prohibition in a death threat.
בְּי֛וֹםon the day ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase (construct head)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'.
רְאֹתְךָ֥your seeingQal inf constr + 2ms suff · רָאָה (H7200)Temporal infinitive (complement of בְּיוֹם)→ Infinitival: non-finite, temporal reference pointרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; 'on the day of your seeing (my face)'.
פָנַ֖יmy faceN c pl constr + 1cs suff · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct object of רְאֹתְךָפָּנִים (H6440); repeated to close the ominous inclusio around the threat.
תָּמֽוּתyou shall dieQal impf 2ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (apodosis of the threat)→ Yiqtol: future — certain, decisive consequenceמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; Pharaoh's ultimate threat, escalating from expulsion (v.11) to a capital sentence.
29
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֖ה כֵּ֣ן דִּבַּ֑רְתָּ לֹא אֹסִ֥ף ע֖וֹד רְא֥וֹת פָּנֶֽיךָ
Moses said, “As you say! I will never see your face again.”
Moses' brief, almost curt reply (כֵּן דִּבַּרְתָּ) accepts Pharaoh's ultimatum at face value, closing the ninth-plague cycle on a note of complete rupture; the tenth and final plague (11:4-8) will be delivered as the continuation of this very audience, since Moses does not in fact leave and return again.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand...saidWayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); Moses gives the chapter's closing reply.
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872) Moses; folk-etymologized in Exod 2:10 from מָשָׁה 'draw out', though the name is likely Egyptian in origin.
כֵּ֣ןrightly/soadv · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial complement (modifies דִּבַּרְתָּ)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, rightly'; Moses affirms Pharaoh's words as true — the parting will indeed be final.
דִּבַּ֑רְתָּyou have spokenPiel perf 2ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive utteranceדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; Moses concurs — the last confrontation with Pharaoh has indeed occurred.
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of following verbלֹא (H3808).
אֹסִ֥ףI will continue/againHiphil impf 1cs · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb (main clause, negated future)→ Yiqtol: modal/future — a firm negative resolutionיָסַף (H3254) Hiphil 'to add, continue, do again'; Moses accepts and echoes Pharaoh's prohibition (v.28) as his own settled resolve.
ע֖וֹדstill/againadv · עוֹד (H5750)Adverbial modifier (reinforces אֹסִף)עוֹד (H5750) 'still, again, yet'; reinforces the finality — 'I will not again...'
רְא֥וֹתto seeQal inf constr · רָאָה (H7200)Complementary infinitive (object of אֹסִף)→ Infinitival: non-finite complementרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; completes 'I will not again see...'.
פָּנֶֽיךָyour faceN c pl constr + 2ms suff · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct object of רְאוֹתפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; Moses closes the chapter by accepting Pharaoh's ban — the two will not meet again until the final plague is announced (11:4-8), spoken while still in this same audience.