Exodus 10 23

Exodus 10:23 kjv

They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

Exodus 10:23 nkjv

They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

Exodus 10:23 niv

No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.

Exodus 10:23 esv

They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived.

Exodus 10:23 nlt

During all that time the people could not see each other, and no one moved. But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived.

Exodus 10 verses

Exodus 10 23 Meaning

The verse describes the severe impact of the ninth plague on Egypt: an impenetrable and oppressive darkness that immobilized its inhabitants for three days. In stark contrast, all the Israelites experienced a miraculous provision of light within their own homes. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His explicit differentiation between His covenant people and the nation opposing Him, demonstrating divine protection for Israel amidst judgment upon Egypt.

Exodus 10 23 Context

Exodus 10:23 describes the ninth plague God inflicted upon Egypt—the plague of thick darkness. This event immediately followed Pharaoh's continued refusal to release Israel after the locust plague. For three days, a physical and profoundly debilitating darkness enveloped Egypt, contrasting sharply with the immediate and localized light within Israelite dwellings in Goshen. Historically, this plague was a direct assault on the sun god Ra, often considered the chief deity in the Egyptian pantheon and source of all life and light, and other related deities like Aten or Amun-Re. By extinguishing their primary source of worship and life, the Lord God demonstrated His absolute supremacy over the gods of Egypt, underscoring the impotence of these false idols before His omnipotence. This divine act also served to further harden Pharaoh's heart while simultaneously proving to Israel and Egypt that the Lord distinguished sharply between His people and their oppressors, protecting those under His covenant.

Exodus 10 23 Word analysis

• They saw not one another: (Hebrew: lo' ra'u 'ish 'et 'achiv) – Literally "not saw man his brother." This signifies total, impenetrable darkness, not merely a dark night. It depicts a state of complete visual deprivation, making ordinary life and social interaction impossible. The lack of ability to "see one another" points to a disorienting, isolating, and fear-inducing environment for the Egyptians.
• neither rose any from his place: (Hebrew: w'lo' qam 'ish mim'qomo) – "And not rose man from his place." This reinforces the profound, immobilizing nature of the darkness. It was so thick and overwhelming that people could not move or even stand up, suggesting complete paralysis, disruption of daily life, and utter helplessness.
• for three days: (Hebrew: shloshet yamim) – A significant biblical duration. This specified period emphasizes the intensity, supernatural origin, and sustained nature of the plague. It was not a passing phenomenon but a prolonged, oppressive judgment, unlike any natural eclipse or storm. This duration often foreshadows significant divine events or transformations (e.g., Jonah in the fish, Christ in the tomb).
• but all the children of Israel: (Hebrew: v'khol-b'nei Yisrael) – "And all the sons of Israel." The connective "but" (vav conjunctive often implies contrast here) introduces a powerful distinction. "All" emphasizes the universality of God's favor and protection among His entire people, leaving no one out.
• had light: (Hebrew: hayah 'or) – Literally "there was light." This denotes an immediate, unprompted, and miraculous presence of light. It was a supernatural provision, contrasting the absence of light in Egypt. This light served as a powerful symbol of divine presence, guidance, and favor for Israel.
• in their dwellings: (Hebrew: b'moshevoteihem) – "In their habitations/settlements." This specifies the localized and exclusive nature of the light. It wasn't just light around them, but distinctly within their homes, highlighting the personal and intimate nature of God's protection for each Israelite household, even within the land of Goshen.

Words-group analysis

• They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place: This phrase paints a vivid picture of utter disorientation, helplessness, and the complete halt of all activity within Egypt. It illustrates not only a physical affliction but a psychological torment, plunging the Egyptians into chaos and fear as they were confined and isolated by an unnatural, overwhelming gloom.
• for three days: This duration underlines the severity and undeniable miraculous nature of the plague. It allowed ample time for its effects to deeply penetrate the Egyptian psyche and serve as a sustained, undeniable proof of the Lord's power, distinguishing Him sharply from Pharaoh's gods and their apparent inability to intervene.
• but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings: This powerful contrast forms the core theological statement of the verse. It unmistakably demonstrates God's sovereign ability to protect and bless His people even amidst His most severe judgments on the wicked. The light for Israel symbolizes God's unique covenant relationship with them, providing divine comfort, visibility, and freedom of movement where all else was darkness and paralysis.

Exodus 10 23 Bonus section

• The "three days" period can also be seen as preparing Israel for their subsequent "three days' journey" into the wilderness to worship the Lord, as originally requested by Moses to Pharaoh (Exod 3:18). This plague provided the needed pause and demonstration of power for the coming exodus.
• The darkness over Egypt, juxtaposed with light for Israel, is an early and powerful biblical motif for the distinction between those under divine judgment and those under divine favor, which finds echoes throughout prophetic literature and into the New Testament's understanding of salvation.
• The very act of God removing light from creation subtly reverses the act of creation in Genesis 1:3, where God spoke light into existence. This demonstrates the Lord's absolute power to both create and uncreate elements, affirming His unparalleled dominion over the cosmos.
• The Egyptians' inability to move in the darkness might also spiritually reflect their hardened hearts, as they were "immobilized" in their rejection of God's demands, further highlighting the spiritual stupor under judgment.

Exodus 10 23 Commentary

Exodus 10:23 delivers a profound theological message through the stark contrast between oppressive darkness and supernatural light. The "thick darkness" inflicted upon Egypt was more than just a lack of sun; it was a demonstration of the Lord's ultimate authority over nature and a direct attack on Egypt's principal deity, Ra, the sun god. This divine judgment paralyzed the nation, trapping its people in a literal and metaphorical shadow of death, incapacitating their ability to live, work, or worship. Conversely, the specific provision of light in Israelite dwellings in Goshen underscored God's unfailing commitment to His covenant people. This luminous sanctuary affirmed Israel's distinct status as God's chosen, allowing them freedom and comfort amidst the surrounding judgment. The verse is a powerful declaration that God is not only the sovereign Judge but also the precise Protector, guiding His own with divine illumination even when the world is plunged into deepest spiritual and physical gloom, signifying His constant care and clear path for those who follow Him.