Exodus 10:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Pharaoh said to him, "Get away from me; take care never to see my face again, for on the day you see my face you shall die."

NIV: Pharaoh said to Moses, "Get out of my sight! Make sure you do not appear before me again! The day you see my face you will die."

NASB: Then Pharaoh said to him, 'Get away from me! Be careful, do not see my face again, for on the day you see my face, you shall die!'

CSB: Pharaoh said to him, "Leave me! Make sure you never see my face again, for on the day you see my face, you will die."

NLT: Get out of here!' Pharaoh shouted at Moses. 'I’m warning you. Never come back to see me again! The day you see my face, you will die!'

KJV: And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.

NKJV: Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me! Take heed to yourself and see my face no more! For in the day you see my face you shall die!”

After nine plagues (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23) and failed negotiations (Exodus 10:24–27), the Egyptian Pharaoh cuts off all communication with Moses and the Hebrew people. This comes with a command to leave—presumably meaning immediately. It also involves an attempt at intimidation. Pharoah implies that if Moses comes back to make another demand or announce another plague, he will be executed. This is an overt death threat, but Moses will respond with calm (Exodus 10:29).

Moses was no stranger to threats of death. He had fled a previous Pharaoh decades earlier (Exodus 2:11–15). Now a new Pharaoh threatens him, yet the story is different. Moses is no longer fleeing due to killing an Egyptian. He is boldly declaring God's words to Pharaoh (Exodus 3:10, 20). He is a man on a mission, representing the Lord and exhibiting His power through various signs. Rather than being intimidated, Moses will continue to proclaim God's truth, which will include a direct threat against Pharaoh's own family (Exodus 4:21–23; 11:4–6).

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 6/17/2025 8:27:53 PM