Exodus 10 25

Exodus 10:25 kjv

And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God.

Exodus 10:25 nkjv

But Moses said, "You must also give us sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.

Exodus 10:25 niv

But Moses said, "You must allow us to have sacrifices and burnt offerings to present to the LORD our God.

Exodus 10:25 esv

But Moses said, "You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.

Exodus 10:25 nlt

"No," Moses said, "you must provide us with animals for sacrifices and burnt offerings to the LORD our God.

Exodus 10 verses

Exodus 10 25 Meaning

Exodus 10:25 records Moses' firm demand to Pharaoh during their negotiation. Moses declares that for Israel's worship, Pharaoh must not only release the people but also provide the very animals required for their sacrifices and burnt offerings to the Lord their God. This emphasizes that worship of the true God is costly, requires specific elements, and that the Israelites were to bring all their resources to God, leaving nothing behind in Egypt.

Exodus 10 25 Context

Exodus Chapter 10 details the eighth and ninth plagues: locusts and darkness. Each plague is preceded by Moses demanding Pharaoh release Israel for worship, and each time Pharaoh proposes a partial concession. Pharaoh initially offered to let only the men go (v. 10), then offered to let all the people go but keep their livestock (v. 24). This verse (10:25) is Moses' direct and uncompromising response to Pharaoh's proposal to keep the livestock. The historical context is the continued hardening of Pharaoh's heart by God, setting the stage for the final, most devastating plague, which would ultimately lead to Israel's release. The negotiation highlights the fundamental conflict between the sovereignty of God and the assumed sovereignty of Pharaoh over all aspects of Egypt, including its economy and its people's religious practices. Pharaoh's control over livestock was a critical economic and religious power point.

Exodus 10 25 Word analysis

• And Moses said, "You must also give us

  • "And Moses said": Hebrew vayyo'mer Moshe (וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה). A common introductory phrase in biblical narrative, signifying Moses' role as God's mouthpiece in direct address to Pharaoh.
  • "You must also give us": Hebrew gam-'attah tittên bəyādênū (גַּם־אַתָּה תִּתֵּן בְּיָדֵנוּ). This translates literally as "you also you shall give in our hand." The emphasis "you also" (gam-'attah) is crucial; it means Pharaoh must also provide the animals, in addition to letting the people go. It shifts the burden of providing animals from the Israelites to Pharaoh, underscoring the completeness of Israel's freedom and Pharaoh's total surrender. The phrase "in our hand" signifies giving into their possession, or providing for them. This directly counters Pharaoh's desire to retain the animals for his own control or gain.

• sacrifices and burnt offerings,

  • "sacrifices": Hebrew zəbhāḥîm (זְבָחִים). This general term typically refers to offerings that were at least partially consumed by the worshipper, such as peace offerings (zevach shlamim). These were often fellowship or communion meals with God, demonstrating peace and communion. They were vital for the people to express their covenant relationship and gratitude.
  • "burnt offerings": Hebrew və'ōlōt (וְעֹלוֹת), from the root ʿālah (to ascend). This refers to offerings completely consumed on the altar, symbolizing complete devotion, atonement for unintentional sins, and a dedication of the worshipper's entire being to God. Nothing was retained by the offerer; everything "went up" to God in smoke. These two types represent core aspects of Israelite worship: fellowship/thanksgiving and complete devotion/atonement.

• that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God."

  • "that we may sacrifice": Hebrew və'āśînū (וְעָשִׂינוּ). Literally, "and we shall make/do." In this context, it implies "we shall prepare and offer." This emphasizes the active role and responsibility of the Israelites in their worship, which required proper resources.
  • "to the Lord our God": Hebrew laYHWH Eloheinu (לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ). YHWH (the LORD) is the personal covenant name of God, revealed to Moses as "I AM WHO I AM," signifying His eternal, self-existent, and covenant-keeping nature. Eloheinu (our God) emphasizes the exclusive covenant relationship between YHWH and Israel. The phrase reiterates the purpose of the Exodus: not merely freedom, but freedom to worship the true God. It stands in direct opposition to Pharaoh's gods and challenges the legitimacy of Egyptian religious practices where animal sacrifice was also prevalent but directed to false deities. This is a subtle polemic, asserting the uniqueness and sole sovereignty of Israel's God over all resources required for true worship.

Exodus 10 25 Bonus section

This specific demand for the animals can be seen as a strategic and theological counter to the prevailing pagan understanding of temple taxes or mandatory contributions, where rulers might extort resources or provide minimal provisions. Here, Moses insists Pharaoh contribute, reflecting God's rightful ownership of all resources and demanding Pharaoh recognize this by funding, in essence, the Israelites' worship. It prefigures how God orchestrates events so that even opponents are used to serve His purposes. The full provision (people, children, and livestock, Ex 10:26) also serves as a security, ensuring no Israelite would be tempted to return to Egypt under the guise of retrieving assets. The specific mention of "burnt offerings" (olah) signifies devotion that is whole, entirely consumed by fire, with nothing left for the offerer, truly asserting Yahweh's claim over all things.

Exodus 10 25 Commentary

Exodus 10:25 is a critical moment in the Exodus narrative, crystallizing Moses' unyielding stance against Pharaoh's incremental concessions. Pharaoh, seeking to mitigate his losses and perhaps maintain a subtle hold over the Israelites, tries to retain their livestock. Moses, however, responds with an absolute demand, demonstrating that the worship of the Lord God requires a complete and uncompromised offering. It is not enough for the people to be free; they must also possess the means to fully serve their God.

This verse reveals several profound theological truths. Firstly, it underscores the completeness of God's demands: true worship is not partial but encompasses every resource, including the economic means (livestock). Secondly, it emphasizes that genuine freedom is freedom to worship God, implying that spiritual freedom involves devotion of all aspects of life. Thirdly, it highlights God's sovereignty over all creation, including what Pharaoh wrongly assumed was his own property and under his control. Pharaoh is expected to provide what is needed for God's worship, demonstrating God's ultimate authority even over Egypt's wealth. The necessity of specific types of offerings ("sacrifices and burnt offerings") foreshadows the detailed laws given in the Pentateuch, affirming that acceptable worship is defined by God, not by human convenience. In demanding the livestock, Moses ensured that Israel would not be indebted to Egypt for their worship, nor would they compromise the very essence of their covenant relationship with God by offering an incomplete sacrifice.