Exodus 10:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.

NIV: So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days.

NASB: So Moses reached out with his hand toward the sky, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days.

CSB: So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness throughout the land of Egypt for three days.

NLT: So Moses lifted his hand to the sky, and a deep darkness covered the entire land of Egypt for three days.

KJV: And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:

NKJV: So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.

The description here uses two Hebrew root words for emphasis. One is apēlāh, the other is hōsek. Both refer to darkness in different ways. This resembles English expressions such as "pitch black" or "jet black," as pitch and jet are both materials noted for their deep, dark, black color. All of these phrases are meant to mean "as dark as possible." Many interpreters take this to mean that the ninth plague on Egypt (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14) supernaturally blocks light and every person is blinded (Exodus 10:23).

At the same time, the expressions used here may not be absolutely literal. Sandstorms and other conditions can block virtually all light from the sun. One of the recent disasters was a vicious storm of hail and lightning (Exodus 9:23–25). It may be that things like torches and lamps still worked, but the people were terrified to leave their homes for fear of what was happening.

Either way, this makes a direct attack on ancient Egyptian religion. Ra, the Egyptian sun god, supposedly had power over such things. This disaster proves this to be untrue. To make the point even clearer, territory settled by Hebrew slaves has plenty of light. This is another explicit distinction made around God's people (Exodus 8:22; 9:4, 7, 26). Egypt has held the Israelites as slaves (Exodus 1:11–14) and they are now paying the price. Their king has been commanded to release the Hebrews (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 21; 9:1, 13; 10:3). He has been obstinate (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 35; 10:20).

Exodus 10:21–29 explains the ninth plague. A supernatural darkness falls on Egypt. It seems that no light source could penetrate this darkness; the Egyptian people are forced to shelter in place for three days. Yet again, this trouble does not affect the Israelite slaves who live in Goshen. Pharaoh once again tries to negotiate, this time offering to let the people leave if they leave their livestock. Moses refuses, saying they must take everything. The Egyptian king dismisses Moses with a threat to kill him if they ever meet in person again. Moses seems to accept this without concern.

Moses warns Pharaoh that an eighth plague will come if the Hebrew slaves are not set free. This will be the worst locust invasion the nation will ever see. Pharaoh's advisors beg him to negotiate. He offers to release only Israelite men, which Moses rejects. The locust plague eradicates everything that survived the earlier hailstorm. Pharaoh pleads for relief, only to break his promise once again when the danger has passed. Next come three days of intense darkness. Pharaoh once again tries to arrange a partial release. When Moses refuses, Pharaoh threatens to kill him if he ever comes back.

Seven times, God has sent supernatural judgment against the nation of Egypt (Exodus 7—9). Each time, Pharaoh has refused to obey God's command to release the Israelite slaves. As a result, God will no longer give Pharaoh the ability to repent (Proverbs 29:1). Despite an epic, devastating locust invasion and three days of darkness, Pharaoh still refuses to submit. Rather, he threatens Moses with death. This will lead Moses to predict the last and worst of the ten plagues (Exodus 11). The tragic death of Egypt's firstborn during the Passover (Exodus 12) will finally lead to Israelite freedom.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.