Exodus 10 17

Exodus 10:17 kjv

Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.

Exodus 10:17 nkjv

Now therefore, please forgive my sin only this once, and entreat the LORD your God, that He may take away from me this death only."

Exodus 10:17 niv

Now forgive my sin once more and pray to the LORD your God to take this deadly plague away from me."

Exodus 10:17 esv

Now therefore, forgive my sin, please, only this once, and plead with the LORD your God only to remove this death from me."

Exodus 10:17 nlt

"Forgive my sin, just this once, and plead with the LORD your God to take away this death from me."

Exodus 10 verses

Exodus 10 17 Meaning

Exodus 10:17 records Pharaoh's desperate plea to Moses after the devastating plague of locusts. He acknowledges his sin against the Lord and against Moses and requests temporary forgiveness for "this once." His immediate desire is for Moses to intercede with "the Lord your God" to remove the plague, referred to as "this death." The verse reveals Pharaoh's reactive and self-serving nature, seeking only relief from suffering rather than a genuine change of heart or allegiance to the God of Israel.

Exodus 10 17 Context

Exodus 10:17 is positioned during the intense escalation of the plagues, specifically following the devastating eighth plague of locusts which consumed every remaining plant and fruit from the land of Egypt. This plague followed hail (destroying crops), and preceded the plague of darkness and ultimately the death of the firstborn. Pharaoh, already having witnessed the first seven plagues and hardened his heart, is now experiencing an unprecedented level of destruction threatening Egypt's very food supply and survival. His earlier limited concessions were repeatedly revoked. In this desperate moment, facing the total economic ruin of his kingdom, Pharaoh admits sin, albeit with a focus on immediate relief rather than fundamental change. The historical and cultural context highlights Pharaoh as a god-king who, by acknowledging "the Lord your God" and admitting sin, implicitly, though not genuinely, undermines his own divine claims in the face of Yahweh's overwhelming power. This specific plea from Pharaoh further demonstrates God's consistent display of His sovereignty over all Egyptian deities and Pharaoh himself.

Exodus 10 17 Word analysis

• Now therefore (וְעַתָּה, ve'attah): A conjunction that marks a consequence or an urgent appeal stemming from the immediately preceding statement. Here, it follows Pharaoh's confession of sin (Ex 10:16) and introduces his plea for remedy, indicating an immediate reaction to the dire situation.
• please forgive (סְלַח נָא, səlakh nā): Salach (סָלַח) means to pardon or forgive, primarily in a divine or judicial sense. The particle na (נָא) adds a sense of earnest pleading, indicating a polite yet urgent request. Pharaoh asks for a formal pardon for his actions.
• my sin (חַטָּאתִי, ḥaṭṭāʾtî): Refers to his rebellion against God's command to let Israel go. This admission from a god-king is remarkable and signifies the crushing pressure of the plague. It is an acknowledgment, albeit superficial, that he has violated the divine will of Yahweh.
• only this once (פַּעַם אַחַת רַק, paʿam aḥat raq): This phrase is profoundly revealing of Pharaoh's heart. Pa'am means "time" or "stroke," aḥat means "one," and raq means "only" or "merely." It underlines the transient and conditional nature of his repentance. He is not seeking a complete, ongoing reconciliation with God or an abiding change in his actions, but merely a one-time relief from the immediate calamity. This phrase suggests manipulation rather than genuine remorse or commitment to obedience.
• and entreat (וְהַעֲתִיקוּ, wəhaʿatîqū): From ‘athaq (עָתַק), meaning to remove, transfer, or move on. In the Hiphil stem, as here, it signifies "to cause to intercede," "to entreat for." Pharaoh requests Moses and Aaron to act as mediators or intercessors, acknowledging their unique relationship with "the Lord your God."
• the Lord your God (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, YHWH ʾĕlōhêkem): Crucial for understanding Pharaoh's theological shift and its limitations. He acknowledges YHWH by His personal covenant name, implying YHWH's existence and power over the plague. However, he carefully qualifies it as "your God" (plural, speaking to Moses and Aaron), conspicuously not "my God" or "our God." This demonstrates a strategic distinction; Pharaoh still positions YHWH as Israel's tribal deity rather than the universal sovereign Lord who also has authority over Egypt. It is a polemic against the Egyptian pantheon and Pharaoh's own claim to divinity, showing even he must appeal to Yahweh.
• that He may take away (יָסֵר, yāsēr): From sûr (סוּר), meaning to turn aside, depart, or remove. Pharaoh wants the plague entirely lifted from Egypt.
• from me (מֵעָלַי, mêʿālāy): Pharaoh emphasizes the direct impact on himself and his kingdom.
• this death (הַמָּוֶת הַזֶּה, hammawet hazzeh): Literally, "the death, the this." This phrase uses hyperbole to describe the catastrophic and life-threatening impact of the locust plague. While not physical death in the spiritual sense, it denotes utter destruction, leading to famine, disease, and the collapse of the Egyptian economy, thus threatening widespread mortality. It underscores the severity of divine judgment and the immediate threat to life as Egyptians knew it.

• "Now therefore, please forgive my sin": This opening acknowledges responsibility. It suggests a moment of clarity or humility forced by intense suffering, contrasting sharply with his earlier pride. However, it serves as a transactional preface to his demand for relief.
• "my sin only this once": This phrase captures the essence of Pharaoh's shallow repentance. It is an admission of fault focused solely on the immediate consequence rather than a desire for true change. It demonstrates a pattern of "repentance under duress," which lacks depth and enduring transformation. It reveals his ongoing stubbornness despite temporary yielding.
• "and entreat the Lord your God": Pharaoh understands the unique mediatorial relationship Moses and Aaron have with Yahweh. His appeal for their intercession is an implicit acknowledgment of God's power and accessibility through His chosen servants. Yet, the persistent use of "your God" distances himself from acknowledging YHWH as his own God.
• "that He may take away from me this death only": This highlights Pharaoh's self-centered focus on relief. His concern is the removal of suffering from "me" (i.e., his kingdom) and specifically the "death" (destruction of life and livelihood) caused by the locusts. It's a pragmatic request for divine intervention to alleviate his current crisis, not a desire to submit to divine authority.

Exodus 10 17 Bonus section

The concept of "hardening of heart" is intricately woven throughout the Exodus narrative. While Pharaoh himself hardened his heart (Ex 8:15, 8:32, 9:34), God also hardened Pharaoh's heart (Ex 4:21, 7:3, 9:12, 10:1, 10:20, 10:27). This dual action signifies God's sovereign control over even human obstinacy, using Pharaoh's persistent rebellion to display His mighty works and redemptive plan for Israel, while simultaneously respecting Pharaoh's capacity for wicked choice. Pharaoh's admission of "sin against the Lord your God" is an exceptional moment of truth in a god-king's life, highlighting Yahweh's unparalleled power over the purported divinities of Egypt, even the Pharaoh himself. Pharaoh's repetitive cycle of asking for the plague to be lifted, making promises, and then retracting them (e.g., Ex 8:8, 8:28, 9:28, 9:34), reinforces the severe limitations of repentance motivated solely by pain rather than a desire for God.

Exodus 10 17 Commentary

Exodus 10:17 vividly portrays Pharaoh's false repentance, a pattern consistent throughout the plagues. His confession of "sin" is wrung out by the overwhelming "death" brought by the locusts, revealing his fear of consequences rather than true contrition. The crucial phrase "only this once" strips away any pretense of genuine change, exposing his desire for temporary alleviation without an intent to alter his defiance against God. By appealing to "the Lord your God," Pharaoh continues to avoid full submission, keeping YHWH distinct from his own allegiances. Moses' role as an intercessor underscores God's willingness to listen even to the prayers requested by a rebellious heart, demonstrating His justice and long-suffering before final judgment. The verse emphasizes that merely confessing sin without a changed heart leads to fleeting relief and ultimately more severe consequences.