Exodus 11 1

Exodus 11:1 kjv

And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.

Exodus 11:1 nkjv

And the LORD said to Moses, "I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether.

Exodus 11:1 niv

Now the LORD had said to Moses, "I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. After that, he will let you go from here, and when he does, he will drive you out completely.

Exodus 11:1 esv

The LORD said to Moses, "Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will drive you away completely.

Exodus 11:1 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will strike Pharaoh and the land of Egypt with one more blow. After that, Pharaoh will let you leave this country. In fact, he will be so eager to get rid of you that he will force you all to leave.

Exodus 11 verses

Exodus 11 1 Meaning

Exodus 11:1 reveals God's final declaration to Moses, foretelling the decisive tenth plague upon Pharaoh and Egypt. This last affliction will be so devastating that Pharaoh will not merely permit Israel to leave, but will desperately and completely expel them from the land. It emphasizes God's ultimate sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to bringing His people to freedom through a powerful display of divine judgment.

Exodus 11 1 Context

Exodus 11:1 marks a pivotal moment, immediately following the ninth plague—darkness—which failed to break Pharaoh's resolve. Despite nine escalating divine judgments, Pharaoh defiantly clung to his grasp on Israel. This verse, therefore, represents God's declaration of the final blow, setting the stage for the dramatic and climactic tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, and the subsequent establishment of the Passover. Historically, this struggle depicted a direct confrontation between Yahweh, the God of Israel, and the entire pantheon of Egyptian deities and Pharaoh himself, who was revered as a god. The coming judgment was designed to completely dismantle Egypt's religious and political foundations, demonstrating Yahweh's unrivaled supremacy and ensuring Israel's immediate, compelled liberation.

Exodus 11 1 Word analysis

• And the LORD (וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה, wa·yo·mer Yahweh): This phrase immediately highlights divine initiative and sovereign control. Yahweh (יהוה) is God's covenant name, signifying His eternal, self-existent, and faithful nature. The opening "And" connects it directly to the ongoing narrative, signifying this as a direct communication from God Himself to Moses after the failure of the ninth plague. It underscores the active role of the singular, true God in orchestrating the events against the polytheistic backdrop of Egypt.

• said unto Moses: This emphasizes Moses' distinct role as the direct recipient and trusted messenger of God's divine will. The message is first revealed to Moses, preparing him for the final dramatic confrontation.

• Yet will I bring (עוֹד נֶגַע אֶחָד אָבִיא, ‘od nega‘ ‘echad ‘avi’):

  • "Yet" (‘od): Implies "still" or "one more," signaling the continuation of the judgment process but indicating this will be the final and conclusive one. It builds suspense and marks the impending climax.
  • "I" (’anī): Emphatic personal pronoun, reinforcing God's direct, personal agency in the upcoming judgment. He is not passively observing but actively bringing it about.
  • "bring": This signifies an active, divine intervention, directly executing the judgment.
  • "one plague more" (נֶגַע אֶחָד, nega‘ echad): Nega‘ typically means "stroke," "blow," or "affliction," often associated with divine judgment or a supernaturally inflicted disaster. The numerical emphasis ("one") signifies the singular, culminating, and most severe of all the preceding afflictions, ensuring no more will be needed.

• upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt: This specifies the precise targets of the judgment. "Pharaoh" represents the stubborn, defiant king and, by extension, the embodiment of Egyptian idolatry and oppressive power. "Egypt" signifies the entire nation and its populace, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of the judgment against both leadership and the populace, affecting all socio-economic strata. This indicates the widespread divine polemic against the Egyptian pantheon and society.

• afterwards he will let you go hence: A clear prophetic statement outlining Pharaoh's eventual, forced concession. "Let you go" suggests granting permission for release. This statement builds confidence in Moses regarding the certainty of deliverance, even amidst Pharaoh's continued obstinacy.

• when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether (בְּשַׁלְּחוֹ גָּרֵשׁ יְגָרֵשׁ אֶתְכֶם מִזֶּה):

  • "when he shall let you go": Reiteration of the premise of their release, now adding an intensification of the action.
  • "he shall surely thrust you out" (גָּרֵשׁ יְגָרֵשׁ, garēš yeḡārēš): This is a powerful Hebrew infinitive absolute construction, intensifying the verb garash ("to drive out," "expel," "cast out"). It doesn't just mean Pharaoh will send them out, but he will do so forcefully, utterly, and desperately. It speaks of a coerced, hurried eviction driven by profound fear and loss, rather than a benevolent permission. It implies a reversal of the power dynamic.
  • "altogether": This signifies the completeness of the expulsion; not just a partial or temporary release, but a full and irrevocable departure of the entire Israelite community. This leaves no room for further negotiations or a return.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more": This opening emphasizes divine sovereignty and purpose. God initiates, directs, and executes His plan, revealing it beforehand to His chosen messenger. The "one plague more" points to the strategic, calculated escalation towards the ultimate manifestation of His power and judgment.
  • "upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence": This group outlines the target and immediate effect. It clarifies that the judgment is against both the leader and the entire nation, showing the totality of God's action, which will inevitably result in their release as promised.
  • "when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether": This demonstrates the shift in power dynamics and the nature of the release. It moves from mere "permission" to a "forceful expulsion." This transition from Pharaoh grudgingly allowing them to go to desperately driving them out signifies the terrifying impact of the coming final plague, leaving no option for further defiance or delay.

Exodus 11 1 Bonus section

• This verse signals a distinct shift in the narrative focus: from God warning Pharaoh through Moses (Exodus 7-10) to God revealing His final plan directly to Moses, preparing him and the Israelites for the rapid exodus that is to follow.
• The phrase "surely thrust you out hence altogether" also prefigures the Egyptian's willingness to give Israel "articles of silver and articles of gold" (Ex 11:2-3, 12:35-36) just to make them leave, thus fulfilling God's ancient promise to Abraham (Gen 15:14) that his descendants would come out of bondage with "great possessions."
• The severity implied in "thrust you out" suggests a dramatic and sudden change of heart in Pharaoh, brought about solely by divine power, illustrating God's absolute authority even over the will of oppressive rulers.
• This verse provides assurance and divine clarity to Moses and by extension to the Israelites, confirming that despite the extended suffering and Pharaoh's obstinacy, God's promise of liberation is imminent and unstoppable.

Exodus 11 1 Commentary

Exodus 11:1 stands as a declaration of God's unyielding determination in the face of Pharaoh's hardened heart. It is a climactic statement delivered to Moses, not a negotiation with Pharaoh. Following nine demonstrations of divine power that increasingly devastated Egypt but failed to secure Israel's release, this verse announces the ultimate and final blow. The term "one plague more" emphasizes that this impending judgment will be utterly decisive, breaking Pharaoh's stubborn will and compelling the release of God's people.

The significance lies in God's explicit foreknowledge and active orchestration of the outcome. Pharaoh's change of heart, previously characterized by fleeting concessions followed by renewed defiance, will now be irreversible. The Israelites will not simply be "let go" but will be "thrust out altogether," highlighting the terror and desperation that will grip the Egyptians after the tenth plague. This foretold, forceful expulsion confirms God's absolute control over earthly rulers and demonstrates that His redemptive purposes cannot be thwarted. It reveals that the true liberation of Israel is entirely a work of God's powerful hand, asserting His supremacy over all creation and preparing the stage for the dramatic events of the Passover.