Exodus 8:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then the Lord said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, "Let my people go, that they may serve me.

NIV: Then the Lord said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.

NASB: Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: 'Let My people go, so that they may serve Me.

CSB: Then the Lord said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh and tell him: This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.

NLT: Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Go back to Pharaoh and announce to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.

KJV: And the Lord spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

NKJV: And the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.

Pharaoh has ignored repeated requests (Exodus 5:1–4), a miraculous sign (Exodus 7:10–13), and a catastrophic, miraculous plague (Exodus 7:20–23). Now Moses—through Aaron (Exodus 4:14–16; 7:1–2)—delivers another demand that the Hebrews be freed. This request will be rejected, as well; and the Lord will follow through on another threat to send disaster on Egypt (Exodus 8:2–6).

The impending plague will involve frogs (Exodus 8:2–4) swarming away from the corrupted Nile waters (Exodus 7:24–25). Pharaoh's magicians will be able to summon frogs, but not drive them away (Exodus 8:7–8). Scripture is not specific about the timing of this next plague in relation to the first. Some of the plagues may have overlapped, or they may have all happened in sequence. It may have been that the corruption of the Nile drove insects and frogs into Egyptian cities (Exodus 8:3).

Exodus 8:1–15 describes the second plague: frogs. The rotting Nile (Exodus 7:20–23) spits out a wave of frogs into Egyptian streets and homes. Pharaoh's conjurers can also summon frogs—but they can't remove them. So, Pharoh turns to Moses. They schedule a specific moment to lift the plague. This explicit timing made it clear that Israel's God, not the Egyptian frog goddess Heqet, was in control. As soon as the pressure of the plague is off, Pharoah changes his mind about releasing the Israelites.

After Pharaoh ignores the first plague (Exodus 7:20–23), God sends a swarm of frogs. Pharaoh's magicians can summon frogs, but they can't get rid of them. So, he appeals to Moses. Though the plague is lifted, Pharaoh re-jects the command to release Israelite slaves. This leads to a plague of gnats and then one of flies, with similar results. The arrival of these creatures might have been caused by the corruption of the Nile River, but only God's supernatural work could make them disappear. Future plagues will be increasingly severe (Exodus 9:6, 10, 22; 10:4, 22; 12:29–32).

Moses and Aaron offered a sign to Pharaoh (Exodus 7:10–13), but he still refused to release the Hebrew slaves (Ex-odus 1:11–14). This triggered the first of the ten plagues of Egypt: turning water into blood (Exodus 7:20–21). This chapter includes the next three disasters: frogs, gnats, and flies. Pharaoh stubbornly refuses to concede each time. Upcoming plagues will escalate (Exodus 9:6, 10, 22, 10:4, 22), leading to the death of Egypt's firstborn (Exodus 12:29–32) and Israel's release (Exodus 12:41).

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 7/30/2025 3:39:14 PM