Exodus 10:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But Moses said, "You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.

NIV: But Moses said, "You must allow us to have sacrifices and burnt offerings to present to the Lord our God.

NASB: But Moses said, 'You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings, so that we may sacrifice them to the Lord our God.

CSB: Moses responded, "You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings to prepare for the Lord our God.

NLT: No,' Moses said, 'you must provide us with animals for sacrifices and burnt offerings to the Lord our God.

KJV: And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the Lord our God.

NKJV: But Moses said, “You must also give us sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.

Moses rejects Pharaoh's offer to take all the Israelites, including women and children, into the wilderness for worship (Exodus 10:24). The condition is that cattle, sheep, goats, and other livestock have to remain. God has commanded the Egyptian king to set his Hebrew slaves free (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 20–21; 9:1, 13; 10:3). Pharaoh has resisted (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 35; 10:20) and even broken promises; now he once again tries to negotiate. He seems to hope that the people will come back quickly since they won't have the resources to go far.

Both men know what Pharaoh is attempting to do. But Moses' answer focuses entirely on the idea of worship. Israel will need sacrifices, but the Lord has not yet told them what animals to offer. Every single animal—without exception—must stay with the Israelite people (Exodus 10:26). This will drive Pharaoh into a rage; he will openly threaten Moses before ordering him to leave (Exodus 10:28).

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.

Accessed 6/15/2025 8:18:13 AM