Exodus 9:1 - Printer Friendly

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

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

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

NLT: Go back to Pharaoh,' the Lord commanded Moses. 'Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.

KJV: Then the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

NKJV: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and tell him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.

Once again (Exodus 5:1–3; 7:16; 8:1, 19–20, 32), Pharaoh is told to release the Hebrew people. Once again, he will refuse (Exodus 9:7). The people are to be released so they can serve and worship God. This was one of the primary purposes of God's chosen people (Deuteronomy 6:13; 1 Samuel 7:3). Pharaoh's stubbornness will soon lead to the moment where God stops offering chances for repentance (Proverbs 29:1) and begins using the Egyptian king as an illustration of judgment (Exodus 3:20; 4:21).

An important phrase in this verse is the reference to the Lord as "God of the Hebrews." This is found six times in the Bible, all of which are in the book of Exodus. It is first mentioned when the Lord speaks to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:18). Moses mentions this name for God when first addressing Pharaoh (Exodus 5:3). It is then mentioned again to Pharaoh at the first plague (Exodus 7:16), here in the fifth plague, then prior to the seventh plague of hail (Exodus 9:13), and then before the eighth plague of locusts (Exodus 10:3).

Exodus 9:1–7 describes the fifth of God's ten plagues on Egypt (Exodus 3:20). Through Moses, the Lord threatens to strike Egyptian livestock while leaving Hebrew animals safe. Pharaoh, Egypt's king, refuses to release the people, so the plague occurs. Despite this, Pharaoh remains stubborn.

After four devastating plagues, Pharaoh continues to resist God's command to free the Hebrew slaves. Through Moses, the Lord sends two more: death of Egyptian livestock and an epidemic of skin lesions. Pharoah refuses to respond to the first, and God makes him stubborn after the second. This leads to the most terrifying sign yet: the seventh plague of hail and fire. Pharoah claims to repent. Yet as soon as the hail stops, he again chooses obstinance. After this, the Lord will use Pharaoh as a tool to demonstrate divine judgment.

Moses and Aaron brought the Lord's command that Pharaoh should release Hebrew slaves (Exodus 5:1–4). Over and over, Egypt's king was obstinate. This resulted in divine plagues meant to demonstrate God's power and authority (Exodus 7:20; 8:6, 17, 24). In this chapter, God sends three more disasters: a plague on livestock, an epidemic of skin sores, and an obliterating storm of hail and lightning. Pharaoh will once again choose stubbornness, passing a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). For the remaining plagues (Exodus 10—12) and after (Exodus 14:4), Pharaoh will be a living example of the Lord's divine judgment (Exodus 4:21).

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.