Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Exodus 8:25
ESV Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God within the land."
NIV Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God here in the land."
NASB Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, 'Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.'
CSB Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Go sacrifice to your God within the country."
NLT Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron. 'All right! Go ahead and offer sacrifices to your God,' he said. 'But do it here in this land.'
KJV And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.
NKJV Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God in the land.”

What does Exodus 8:25 mean?

The Lord intends His people to be set free from slavery (Exodus 3:10). Egypt's king, Pharaoh, has resisted God's commands (Exodus 5:1–4) despite repeated plagues caused by divine means (Exodus 7:13, 23; 8:13–15, 18–19). Egypt now faces a crippling infestation of flies. There are so many bugs that they cover the ground, getting into everyone's homes and food. That includes Pharaoh's own home and servants (Exodus 8:24).

As with the plague of frogs, Pharaoh attempts to negotiate with Moses and Aaron (Exodus 8:8). Moses accepted the first such deal (Exodus 8:9) because it would have allowed Israel to simply leave. Faced with flies, Pharaoh doesn't offer freedom. He merely said the people could sacrifice within their land of Goshen (Genesis 45:10). This would let the Israelites offer sacrifice to God but remain under the control of Egypt. This is unacceptable. One reason Israel initially settled in Goshen was so they could work as shepherds without offending the Egyptians (Genesis 46:34).

When Moses suggests this problem (Exodus 8:26–27), Pharaoh implies that Israel can leave Goshen but must stay nearby (Exodus 8:28). Moses agrees, knowing Pharaoh will continue to resist every step towards Israel's liberation (Exodus 1:11–14; 3:19–20).
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: