Exodus 10 21

Exodus 10:21 kjv

And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.

Exodus 10:21 nkjv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt."

Exodus 10:21 niv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt?darkness that can be felt."

Exodus 10:21 esv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt."

Exodus 10:21 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Lift your hand toward heaven, and the land of Egypt will be covered with a darkness so thick you can feel it."

Exodus 10 verses

Exodus 10 21 Meaning

Exodus 10:21 describes the command from God to Moses to initiate the ninth plague upon Egypt: a tangible, oppressive darkness. This plague was not merely the absence of light but a thick, palpable gloom that settled over the land, uniquely capable of being "felt." It was a profound display of God's sovereign power, targeting the core of Egyptian religious beliefs, especially their veneration of the sun god Ra, and escalating the pressure on Pharaoh to release Israel.

Exodus 10 21 Context

Exodus chapter 10 recounts the eighth and ninth plagues, locusts and darkness, as Pharaoh continues to harden his heart against releasing Israel. This chapter directly follows a prolonged negotiation where Pharaoh attempts to compromise, allowing only men or only some people to leave, but God insists on "all" (Exod 10:9). The nine plagues collectively serve to demonstrate Yahweh's unparalleled sovereignty over all creation and all other gods. Specifically, the ninth plague of darkness is a powerful direct assault on Egypt's pantheon, particularly Ra (Re), the sun god, who was central to their understanding of life, power, and the Pharaoh's divinity. The impending final plague, the death of the firstborn, is alluded to as the last consequence Pharaoh will face.

Exodus 10 21 Word analysis

• Then: Connects this divine command to the preceding narrative of Pharaoh's hardened heart and his refusal to fully comply, emphasizing the progression of God's judgments.
• the Lord (יהוה - Yahweh): The personal, covenant name of the God of Israel, highlighting His authority, covenant faithfulness, and His identity as the true and living God, distinct from any Egyptian deity.
• said: Indicates a direct, authoritative verbal instruction from God to His chosen servant.
• to Moses: Moses is the divinely appointed agent through whom God acts, demonstrating that Moses' power is derived directly from Yahweh.
• 'Stretch out' (נְטֵה - neteh): An imperative verb, consistently used in Exodus (e.g., Exod 7:19; 8:5, 16; 9:22; 14:16) for Moses or Aaron to perform miraculous acts by divine command, symbolizing God's active power extended through His servant.
• 'your hand' (יָד - yad): Represents Moses' agency and God's power exerted through him. It is a symbol of authority, action, and capability.
• 'toward heaven' (הַשָּׁמַיְמָה - hashshamayimah): Points to the celestial realm as the source of the plague, directly challenging Egyptian sky deities and, crucially, their preeminent sun god. It emphasizes that this is a cosmic, supernatural event orchestrated by God.
• 'that there may be darkness' (חֹשֶׁךְ - choshek): Refers to gloom or obscurity. In this context, it's not a natural eclipse or weather phenomenon but a supernatural imposition. The subsequent text (Exod 10:22) refers to "thick darkness" (חֹשֶׁךְ אֲפֵלָה - choshek afelah), indicating its profound intensity.
• 'over the land of Egypt': Defines the geographical scope of the judgment, specifically targeting the domain of Pharaoh and the Egyptian people.
• 'darkness which may be felt' (יָמֵשׁ - yamesh): The Hebrew verb means "to grope," "to feel," or "to touch." This phrase describes the extraordinary, tangible quality of the darkness. It implies a dense, suffocating, physically impactful obscurity, perhaps like a thick, tangible mist or an unyielding presence that trapped and disoriented people, distinguishing it from ordinary night or shadows.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The Lord said to Moses": Establishes divine authorship and direct commission. It highlights God's initiation of the event through His chosen messenger.
• "Stretch out your hand toward heaven": Specifies the symbolic action and the supernatural source. Moses' action is merely a human response to a divine command, triggering a cosmic phenomenon. The 'hand toward heaven' implies God's power coming down from above.
• "that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt": Clearly states the purpose and immediate effect of the command – the manifestation of a pervasive, supernatural gloom as an act of judgment.
• "darkness which may be felt": Emphasizes the unique and unprecedented nature of this plague. This specific descriptor makes the darkness physically oppressive and supernatural, beyond natural phenomena, reinforcing its role as a divine act of judgment and a direct assault on the senses and deities of Egypt.

Exodus 10 21 Bonus section

The profound impact of the "darkness which may be felt" was not only psychological but physically restrictive; Exodus 10:23 clarifies that "no one could see anyone else, nor could anyone rise from his place for three days." This immobile state emphasized the complete disruption of Egyptian life and demonstrated God's power to bind and limit even the movement of a defiant nation. This nine-plague series culminated with a direct challenge to Ra, reinforcing Yahweh's singular supremacy, preparing Egypt and Israel for the ultimate display of redemption and judgment in the tenth plague. This darkness served as a cosmic disruption, an intentional disordering of creation for Egypt, while maintaining order and light for Israel, visually distinguishing God's chosen from His judged.

Exodus 10 21 Commentary

Exodus 10:21 presents a chilling display of divine authority. The command to bring a "darkness which may be felt" transcends typical meteorological phenomena, underscoring the supernatural nature of God's intervention. This wasn't merely the absence of light; it was a tangible, oppressive, suffocating presence, a three-day judgment that plunged Egypt into incapacitating gloom. The intentional targeting of light and the sun, the source of life and worship in Egypt (embodied by Ra and other solar deities), served as a decisive blow to their entire religious and philosophical system, revealing the absolute power of Yahweh. The distinction, already evident in previous plagues, becomes even more stark: light remained in the land of Goshen where the Israelites dwelt (Exod 10:23), showcasing God's protective grace and His ability to discern between His people and His adversaries. This plague intensifies the spiritual and physical pressure on Pharaoh, a prelude to the climactic final judgment. It symbolizes spiritual blindness and the incapacitating state of those who defy God.

• Example 1: The 'darkness that can be felt' can illustrate how spiritual rebellion against God can lead to an oppressive spiritual "darkness" where one is disoriented, unable to perceive truth clearly, and morally incapacitated.
• Example 2: Just as God protected Israel by having light in Goshen, God ensures spiritual light for His people even when the world around them is steeped in spiritual darkness (1 Pet 2:9).