Exodus 9:21

ESV but whoever did not pay attention to the word of the Lord left his slaves and his livestock in the field.

NIV But those who ignored the word of the Lord left their slaves and livestock in the field.

NASB but everyone who did not pay regard to the word of the Lord left his servants and his livestock in the field.

CSB but those who didn’t take to heart the Lord’s word left their servants and livestock in the field.

NLT But those who paid no attention to the word of the Lord left theirs out in the open.

KJV And he that regarded not the word of the Lord left his servants and his cattle in the field.

NKJV But he who did not regard the word of the Lord left his servants and his livestock in the field.

What does Exodus 9:21 mean?

God has repeatedly commanded Pharaoh to release the Hebrew slaves (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 21; 9:1). Pharaoh has repeatedly refused (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7). As a result, Egypt suffered numerous disasters (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10). These are clearly divine (Exodus 8:19) and meant to prove the power of the Israelite God. Moses announces the threat of a seventh plague (Exodus 9:18), but also advice. Those who take shelter can avoid losing animals and servants (Exodus 9:19). Some of the Egyptians wisely chose to follow this guidance (Exodus 9:20), but some do not. Those who refuse to "fear" God (Proverbs 1:7) even now will suffer great losses (Exodus 9:22–26).

The phrase "the word of the Lord" is significant. Though a common expression in the Old Testament, the phrase only appears twice in the book of Exodus. Both are in this passage (Exodus 9:20). The book of Genesis uses this phrase only twice, as well, when God explains His covenant to Abraham (Genesis 15:1, 4). Later books make more use of the expression as they record the laws given to Israel. The term is often tied to warnings about disobedience (Numbers 3:16, 51; 15:31; 24:13; 36:5, Deuteronomy 5:5; 34:5).

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