Exodus 8:30 kjv

And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and entreated the LORD.

Exodus 8:30 nkjv

So Moses went out from Pharaoh and entreated the LORD.

Exodus 8:30 niv

Then Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD,

Exodus 8:30 esv

So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD.

Exodus 8:30 nlt

So Moses left Pharaoh's palace and pleaded with the LORD to remove all the flies.

Exodus 8 verses

Exodus 8 30 Meaning

Exodus 8:30 records Moses's immediate and obedient response after Pharaoh requested prayer to remove the plague of flies. Moses went forth from Pharaoh's presence and interceded with the LORD. This action demonstrates Moses's consistent role as God's chosen mediator and highlights the direct line of communication he maintained with the divine, upon whose word the cessation of the plague depended.

Exodus 8 30 Context

Exodus chapter 8 details three of the ten plagues: frogs (vv. 1-15), gnats (vv. 16-19), and flies (vv. 20-32). This particular verse, Exodus 8:30, follows Pharaoh's fourth encounter with Moses regarding the plague of flies. Pharaoh had asked Moses and Aaron to "entreat the LORD" (Exod 8:28) to remove the swarms, promising to let the Israelites go and sacrifice in the wilderness. This verse highlights Moses's immediate fulfillment of his promise and his intercessory role. The historical context positions these events as a direct confrontation between the power of YHWH, the God of Israel, and the presumed divine power of Pharaoh and the myriad gods of Egypt, specifically here, those associated with the sky or creation from whom such a widespread pestilence might typically fall. The distinct separation of the flies from Goshen also demonstrates YHWH's sovereignty over nature and His covenant care for His people, a stark contrast to Egyptian pantheism.

Exodus 8 30 Word analysis

• Then Moses went out: Signifies an immediate departure and obedience. Moses leaves Pharaoh's physical presence, symbolizing a move from human authority to divine communion. This swift action reflects his duty and trust in God's power.
• from Pharaoh: Emphasizes the departure from the sphere of Egyptian power and influence. It marks a transition from a negotiation (or demand) with an earthly ruler to an appeal to the heavenly King.
• and prayed: The Hebrew word is wa-yitpallēl (וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל), from the root pālal. This is a Hithpael conjugation, a reflexive stem, which can convey an intensified, self-directed action or "intercession on behalf of others." It implies more than just a casual request; it's a deliberate, earnest act of self-communing with God, making oneself into a posture of prayer, or earnest pleading. This verb consistently describes powerful intercession in the Old Testament, suggesting a personal engagement and a burden to present a petition to God. Moses fulfills his part in the divine drama by earnestly seeking God's intervention.
• to the LORD: The Hebrew here is YHWH (יְהוָה), the sacred covenant name of God, revealed to Moses at the burning bush. This designation is critical: Moses is not praying to a generic deity or to any of the Egyptian gods, but specifically to the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel. This contrasts sharply with Pharaoh's polytheistic context and emphasizes that only YHWH possesses the power to command the creation and halt the plague, affirming His exclusive power and authority over all creation and lesser deities. It reinforces the theological polemic against Egyptian gods.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then Moses went out from Pharaoh": This phrase emphasizes Moses's immediate transition from confrontation with human power to communion with divine power. His swift departure shows no hesitation or delay in fulfilling the condition set by Pharaoh for the removal of the plague. It contrasts Moses's obedience with Pharaoh's subsequent lack of keeping his word.
• "and prayed to the LORD": This forms the central action of the verse. It underscores Moses's role as the intermediary. The act of prayer highlights the direct communication God desired to have with humanity, especially through His chosen instruments. The specific address "to the LORD" (YHWH) asserts divine authority and Moses's singular faith in the God of Israel, further intensifying the religious conflict with Egypt's deities. This immediate act of intercession confirms the direct connection and dependence Moses had upon God for all actions, rather than any personal magical ability.

Exodus 8 30 Bonus section

The pattern of Moses going out from Pharaoh to pray, immediately following Pharaoh's request for the plague's removal, establishes a crucial dramatic and theological rhythm throughout the plague narratives. This verse perfectly exemplifies Moses's unhesitating submission to YHWH's agenda, irrespective of Pharaoh's trustworthiness. The efficacy of Moses's intercession reveals the dynamic nature of God's interaction with humanity – God's judgments can be forestalled or altered through faithful prayer, even if ultimately part of a larger divine plan to reveal His glory. This serves as an ancient precedent for the power of intercessory prayer, a concept foundational to the worship and practice of God's people throughout history. Moses’s actions are a model of persistent intercession even for those who demonstrate ill will.

Exodus 8 30 Commentary

Exodus 8:30 is concise yet profoundly significant. It portrays Moses's consistent and immediate obedience to God's will and his unique position as a divine intermediary. After the intense confrontation over the plague of flies, and Pharaoh's request for intercession, Moses wastes no time, promptly departing from the king's presence to fulfill his promise. His act of "praying to the LORD" signifies his absolute reliance on YHWH, rather than any inherent power of his own. The use of YHWH, the covenant name of God, reaffirms that only the God of Israel holds sovereign control over creation and the power to withdraw judgment. This moment sets the stage for God to act, not out of Pharaoh's will, but in response to Moses's faith and intercession. The efficiency of Moses's prayer further underscores the LORD's immediate power and willingness to respond to His faithful servant. Unfortunately, this divine demonstration often precedes a renewed hardening of Pharaoh's heart, highlighting a core theme of persistent human rebellion against God's revealed will, even in the face of overwhelming evidence.