Exodus 8:8

ESV Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, "Plead with the Lord to take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord."

NIV Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Pray to the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the Lord."

NASB Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, 'Plead with the Lord to remove the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, so that they may sacrifice to the Lord.'

CSB Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Appeal to the Lord to remove the frogs from me and my people. Then I will let the people go and they can sacrifice to the Lord."

NLT Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and begged, 'Plead with the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people. I will let your people go, so they can offer sacrifices to the Lord.'

KJV Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the Lord, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the Lord.

NKJV Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “Entreat the Lord that He may take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the Lord.”

What does Exodus 8:8 mean?

On two occasions (Exodus 7:11, 22), Egyptian magicians have seemingly duplicated miracles (Exodus 7:10, 20). That contributed to Egypt's king, the pharaoh, ignoring the Lord's commands to release Israelite slaves (Exodus 6:11). When the Lord sends a plague of frogs (Exodus 8:5–6), the occultists are once again able to mimic the effect (Exodus 8:7). This verse indicates that their efforts were only a partial success. Clearly, while the Egyptian magicians could conjure frogs, they could not disperse them. The animals are interfering with every aspect of daily life, even in Pharaoh's own home (Exodus 8:3–4). This leads Pharaoh to contact Moses and Aaron, probably by summoning them to his palace (Exodus 8:12).

The king's response seems to acknowledge the God of Israel, referring to Him using the same term employed by Moses: Yahweh (Exodus 3:15; 5:1–2). This is a step in the right direction. In Egyptian religion, the frog goddess Heqet was associated with fertility and childbirth. Asking for the deity of an enslaved nation to control frogs would have been a humbling moment.

Next, Pharaoh attempts to strike a deal. If the Hebrew God takes away the frogs, Pharaoh will let the Israelites have time for worship (Exodus 3:18). Of course, he is no position to negotiate, and the Lord already knows that Pharaoh will only release Israel under the direst circumstances (Exodus 3:19–20). This is an insincere, shallow response (Exodus 8:15).

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