Exodus 10 22

Exodus 10:22 kjv

And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:

Exodus 10:22 nkjv

So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.

Exodus 10:22 niv

So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days.

Exodus 10:22 esv

So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.

Exodus 10:22 nlt

So Moses lifted his hand to the sky, and a deep darkness covered the entire land of Egypt for three days.

Exodus 10 verses

Exodus 10 22 Meaning

Exodus chapter 10, verse 22 describes the ninth plague God sent upon Egypt, a thick and pervasive darkness that covered the entire land for three days. This supernatural darkness was so intense that people could not see one another or move about. However, amidst this widespread gloom, the dwellings of the Israelites, specifically in the land of Goshen, were supernaturally illumined, showcasing a clear divine distinction between the Egyptians and God's chosen people.

Exodus 10 22 Context

Exodus 10:22 takes place as the ninth of ten plagues God sent upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. Following the plagues of frogs, gnats, flies, livestock pestilence, boils, and hail, Pharaoh remained obstinate. The preceding locust plague (Exod 10:1-20) had already devastated the land, but Pharaoh still refused to let the people go. The darkness plague directly targets the very core of Egyptian worship, specifically the sun god Ra (and Atum, Re-Horakhty, Amun-Re, etc.), the supreme deity and source of life and light. This act was a profound demonstration of the God of Israel's supremacy over all Egyptian deities and nature itself. Historically, the Egyptians heavily relied on the Nile and sunlight for their agricultural society, so the intense darkness, combined with the inability to see or move, would have brought societal function to a halt, evoking widespread fear and despair.

Exodus 10 22 Word analysis

• Then Moses: Moses is the chosen servant, God's agent on earth, through whom divine power is channeled. His actions here are directly commanded and empowered by the Lord, highlighting his role as mediator between God and Pharaoh/Egypt.
• stretched out: This verb signifies a direct, deliberate action, demonstrating the initiation of God's judgment through Moses's compliance. It's a visible act of authority.
• his hand: The hand is a symbol of power, authority, and execution. Moses's physical gesture acts as a conduit for God's invisible, immeasurable power.
• toward heaven: The direction "toward heaven" (or sky) indicates the source of the plague is not earthly, but celestial and divine. God, from His abode, orchestrates the cosmic events.
• and there was: (וַיְהִי - vayhi). A common Hebrew conjunction, signaling the immediate consequence of the preceding action—the divine intervention is instant and effective.
• thick darkness: (חוֹשֶׁךְ אֲפֵלָה - choshek aphelah).
  • Choshek (חוֹשֶׁךְ): Standard Hebrew for "darkness," signifying the absence of light.
  • Aphelah (אֲפֵלָה): An intensifier, meaning "gloom," "dense darkness," or "palpable obscurity." This is not ordinary night; it's a suffocating, almost tangible blackness that disrupts normal function and incites fear. This specific phrasing highlights its supernatural, oppressive quality.
  • The combination emphasizes an extraordinary, supernatural, and profoundly disorienting darkness.
• over all the land of Egypt: This signifies the complete and comprehensive reach of the judgment, encompassing every region of Egyptian territory, emphasizing its pervasive and inescapable nature.
• for three days: The duration is specific and supernatural, not a natural phenomenon like a dust storm. "Three days" often carries theological significance in biblical narratives, sometimes denoting completeness, divine intervention, or a set period for a miraculous event (e.g., Jonah in the fish, Jesus's resurrection). In this context, it speaks to the sustained and relentless nature of the judgment.
• But all the Israelites had light: This stark contrast underscores God's meticulous and precise power. His judgment is discriminative; His protection is absolute.
• in their dwellings: This specifies the precise location of the divine distinction—within the very homes and communities of God's people in Goshen. The light was localized and provided by divine means, not through any natural source available to them.

• Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven and there was thick darkness: This phrase showcases divine agency working through human instruments. Moses's outward action is the sign of God's inward decree and execution of power over creation. The "thick darkness" is an intentional divine weapon against Egypt's sun-worship, directly challenging Ra's power and highlighting God's absolute sovereignty over light and life.
• over all the land of Egypt for three days, but all the Israelites had light in their dwellings: This highlights God's judicial justice and His covenant faithfulness. The universality of the plague over Egypt contrasts sharply with the precise preservation of Israel. This clear segregation serves as a powerful testament to God's selective judgment and His unwavering commitment to His people, further distinguishing His holy character from the impotent gods of Egypt. This physical separation and distinction foreshadows the spiritual separation and salvation offered through God later on.

Exodus 10 22 Bonus section

The "thick darkness" (חוֹשֶׁךְ אֲפֵלָה) in Exod 10:22 can be compared to the primordial darkness over the deep in Gen 1:2. This suggests God's control extends even to reversing creation's order, bringing chaos where there was light. The supernatural nature of this darkness, its palpable quality, sets it apart from any natural phenomenon like a severe sandstorm (khamsin), as people could not move for three days, a feature not typically associated with natural dust events, nor does Goshen remain completely clear during a natural event of that magnitude. The light in Goshen, given the absence of any natural source for it during such intense darkness, points to a constant divine emanation within the Israelite dwellings. This was not merely the absence of the plague but a positive display of God's presence and provision, much like a lamp in deep night.

Exodus 10 22 Commentary

Exodus 10:22 details the 9th plague, a potent demonstration of God's absolute authority over creation and pagan deities. This isn't mere nightfall, but a supernatural, suffocating "thick darkness" that physically oppressed the Egyptians for three complete days, rendering them immobile and helpless. It directly attacks Ra, the supreme Egyptian sun god, showing his utter powerlessness against the God of Israel. Pharaoh's continued defiance despite the escalating devastation reveals his hardened heart and highlights the plague's role in escalating divine judgment. Crucially, while Egypt languished in palpable gloom, the land of Goshen where the Israelites dwelled remained illuminated, emphasizing God's miraculous protection, His distinct relationship with His covenant people, and the purposeful nature of His judgments, which are selective and righteous. This plague prepares the way for the ultimate Passover deliverance by reinforcing God's ability to differentiate between the obedient and the rebellious.