Exodus 10:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Moses said, "As you say! I will not see your face again."

NIV: "Just as you say," Moses replied. "I will never appear before you again."

NASB: Moses said, 'You have spoken correctly; I shall never see your face again!'

CSB: "As you have said," Moses replied, "I will never see your face again."

NLT: Very well,' Moses replied. 'I will never see your face again.'

KJV: And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.

NKJV: So Moses said, “You have spoken well. I will never see your face again.”

Moses has just been given an overt death threat from the king of Egypt, the pharaoh (Exodus 10:28). Pharaoh is no longer willing to even hear God's commands to release Hebrew slaves (Exodus 1:11–14; 10:3). Even great catastrophes have not changed his mind (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23). The king tells Moses that if he ever comes back—if he "sees his face" again—it will be a death sentence.

Rather than fear, or submission, or even protest, Moses responds with calm. Some see a conflict in his reply since he will speak to Pharaoh again (Exodus 11:8). Moses will also answer a summons by Pharoah later (Exodus 12:31–32). However, Moses' remark is more dismissive than prophetic. He is replying with the equivalent of "whatever you say, Pharaoh." This might be open sarcasm. Or, it might refer to the fact that very soon—probably that same night (Exodus 11:4)—the people would be freed and Moses would truly never see Pharaoh again. In that sense, Moses agrees that Pharaoh is about to see him for the last time.

It's also possible that the message Moses receives from God (Exodus 11:1–3) happens at this very moment, as he stands in front of Pharaoh. This would suggest that the warning given about the tenth plague (Exodus 11:4–8) was spoken before he left the room. In any case, Pharaoh will not listen (Exodus 11:10) and his nation will once again suffer (Exodus 12:29–30).

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.