Exodus 8:23 kjv

And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.

Exodus 8:23 nkjv

I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be." ' "

Exodus 8:23 niv

I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This sign will occur tomorrow.'?"

Exodus 8:23 esv

Thus I will put a division between my people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall happen."'"

Exodus 8:23 nlt

I will make a clear distinction between my people and your people. This miraculous sign will happen tomorrow.'"

Exodus 8 verses

Exodus 8 23 Meaning

Exodus 8:23 declares God's decisive act to distinguish His people, Israel, from the Egyptians, affirming His unique authority and protective power. This verse serves as a divine proclamation, preceding the plague of flies, assuring Pharaoh and Israel that the coming affliction will precisely target Egypt while sparing the land of Goshen, where the Israelites dwelled. It highlights God's sovereignty over creation and His special relationship with His covenant people, demonstrating a clear separation in judgment and favor.

Exodus 8 23 Context

Exodus chapter 8 details the third and fourth plagues brought upon Egypt. The first two plagues (water to blood, frogs) affected both Egyptians and Israelites, and Egyptian sorcerers could somewhat mimic them, although they ultimately failed. The third plague (gnats) saw the Egyptian magicians defeated, acknowledging "This is the finger of God" (Exod 8:19). The plagues escalated, demonstrating Yahweh's unparalleled power over all creation, explicitly targeting the land of Egypt and its gods. Exodus 8:23 specifically precedes the fourth plague—that of flies. This verse introduces a crucial shift in the plagues: from this point forward, God actively protects the land of Goshen where Israel resides, demonstrating a clear distinction. Pharaoh, despite witnessing these mighty acts, continually hardens his heart, intensifying the conflict between divine power and human defiance. The verse underscores God's deliberate strategy to highlight His omnipotence and faithfulness to His people amidst a judgment designed to humble Pharaoh and expose the impotence of Egyptian deities.

Exodus 8 23 Word analysis

• And I will put: The Hebrew phrase (וְשַׂמְתִּי֙ v'samti) indicates a deliberate, active, and personal intention by God. It signifies His direct involvement, not a natural phenomenon or coincidence. This divine initiative underscores His sovereign control over events.
• a division: The Hebrew word is פְדֻת (pəḏūṯ), which means "distinction," "redemption," or "deliverance." It implies more than a mere physical separation; it denotes an act of setting apart, of favoring and saving. This concept challenges Egyptian belief systems where their deities protected their specific geographic areas or people through magic. Yahweh demonstrates a power transcending any local or cultic deity, asserting a theological polemic against the idea of limited divine power.
• between My people: עַמִּי (ʿammī). This refers to Israel, God's chosen covenant people. The possessive pronoun "My" highlights the exclusive and intimate relationship God has with them. This covenant relationship is fundamental to God's actions and His purpose in liberating Israel.
• and your people: עַמְּךָ (ʿamməḵā). This refers to the Egyptians under Pharaoh's rule. This explicit contrasting emphasizes the spiritual and national separation God is enacting. Pharaoh's people are the recipients of judgment, while God's people receive protection.
• Tomorrow: מָחָר (māḥār). This signifies immediacy and certainty. God is declaring His plan, ensuring it will occur exactly as stated, demonstrating His power not only to distinguish but also to predict and control the timing of events. It leaves no room for Pharaoh to doubt the source of the coming plague.
• this sign: אוֹת (’ōṯ). This term denotes a miracle, an attestation, or a wonder. It is not merely an indication but a powerful divine authentication of God's presence, power, and the truth of His word. For the Israelites, it would serve as reassurance of God's covenant faithfulness; for the Egyptians, it was irrefutable evidence of Yahweh's supremacy.
• shall be: The future tense signifies a decree, a divine declaration that will undoubtedly come to pass. It underscores the unchallengeable nature of God's word.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "I will put a division between My people and your people": This phrase encapsulates a central theological theme: divine election and distinction. God actively differentiates His chosen ones from those under His judgment. This is not arbitrary but flows from His covenant love for Israel and His righteous wrath against their oppressors and their false gods. It signifies the commencement of explicit preferential treatment for Israel during the plagues. This concept forms the foundation of the redemption story.
• "Tomorrow this sign shall be": This declaration combines a specific timeframe ("tomorrow") with a powerful descriptor ("this sign"), leaving no ambiguity about the immediate manifestation and purpose of the upcoming plague. It is an intentional, public display of divine power and discrimination, validating God's promises and warnings. The plague of flies, therefore, became a visible, tangible demonstration of Yahweh's ultimate sovereignty and ability to command all aspects of creation, specifically for the benefit of His people.

Exodus 8 23 Bonus section

The Hebrew word פְדֻת (pəḏūṯ) used for "division" here is linguistically linked to the concept of redemption or ransom (e.g., Num 3:49-51 for redemption price). This connection suggests that the divine "distinction" isn't merely a spatial or physical separation, but an act of active deliverance or setting apart for a salvific purpose. God is "redeeming" or "separating unto Himself" Israel even within the context of judgment against Egypt. This profound theological undertone transforms the "division" into an early sign of God's saving grace and specific covenant fidelity, foreshadowing the ultimate redemption to be fully realized in Christ, who sets apart His people for Himself. This verse is also an early blueprint for understanding God's particular grace and judgment – His dealings are often dual-faceted, saving some while bringing judgment upon others, highlighting His sovereignty.

Exodus 8 23 Commentary

Exodus 8:23 marks a crucial turning point in the plague narrative. Up to this point, the plagues demonstrated Yahweh's power over natural elements and pagan deities, yet the first two affected all, and the third was a sign of divine power, not specific distinction. Here, God explicitly declares a definitive separation between Israel and Egypt regarding the impending judgment. The choice of the word "division" (פְדֻת pəḏūṯ) carries a profound theological weight, hinting at "redemption" or "deliverance" for Israel. It establishes a pattern for God's actions throughout history: His people, though in the world, are not of the world, and He will distinguish them in judgment and grace. This divine selectivity is a stark challenge to the multi-deity pantheon of Egypt, proving that the God of Israel holds exclusive domain over all land and peoples, and He uniquely protects those He calls His own. This verse reassures Israel of their unique, covenant status and simultaneously delivers a potent message of warning and judgment to Pharaoh and all of Egypt. It foreshadows the ultimate judgment where humanity is divided between those belonging to God and those aligned with the kingdom of darkness, a separation seen profoundly in the Passover and in later prophetic works.