Exodus 9:13 kjv

And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Exodus 9:13 nkjv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh, and say to him, 'Thus says the LORD God of the Hebrews: "Let My people go, that they may serve Me,

Exodus 9:13 niv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Get up early in the morning, confront Pharaoh and say to him, 'This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me,

Exodus 9:13 esv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Rise up early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh and say to him, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, "Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Exodus 9:13 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Get up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh. Tell him, 'This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.

Exodus 9 verses

Exodus 9 13 Meaning

Exodus 9:13 presents a renewed, urgent divine command from the LORD to Moses to confront Pharaoh once more. It reiterates God's fundamental demand: to release the Israelite people, identified as "My people," so that they may dedicate themselves to serving Him. This message underscores God's persistent will, Pharaoh's increasing culpability, and the ultimate purpose of Israel's freedom—not mere escape from oppression, but consecration to the worship and obedience of the God of the Hebrews.

Exodus 9 13 Context

Exodus chapter 9 continues the narrative of the escalating plagues inflicted upon Egypt, marking a significant intensification of divine judgment. This verse, Exodus 9:13, precedes the sixth plague (boils) and the seventh plague (hail). Previously, Egypt experienced the plagues of flies and the death of livestock, with God distinctly setting apart Goshen where the Israelites lived (Exod 8:22, 9:4). Pharaoh's heart remains hardened despite these severe demonstrations of divine power and mercy towards Israel. The urgency and directness of God's command in verse 13 serve as a final, direct warning before an even more devastating series of judgments, explicitly stating God's purpose for Pharaoh's obstinacy (to declare God's name throughout the earth) which is elaborated upon in Exod 9:16. The historical context reflects a theological challenge to Egyptian polytheism and Pharaoh's divine claims, demonstrating the unparalleled power of YHVH.

Exodus 9 13 Word Analysis

• Then the LORD said to Moses (וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה - va'yomer YHVH el-Moshe):

  • Then: Implies continuity but also a shift, preceding intensified judgment.
  • the LORD (יְהוָה - YHVH): The covenant name of God, revealing His personal, unchanging character and authority. It highlights His specific relationship with Israel, distinguishing Him from any local or generic deities.
  • said to Moses: Reinforces Moses' role as the divinely appointed messenger. This phrase is a standard prophetic introduction, emphasizing the divine origin and authority of the message.

• 'Get up early in the morning and confront Pharaoh,' (הַשְׁכֵּם בַּבֹּקֶר וְהִתְיַצֵּב לִפְנֵי פַרְעֹה - hashkem ba'boker v'hityatzev lifnei Par'oh):

  • Get up early in the morning (הַשְׁכֵּם בַּבֹּקֶר - hashkem ba'boker): Indicates urgency, a new day, and often suggests a place or time where Pharaoh might be performing morning rituals or official duties, thereby publicly confronting him at a peak time. It's a persistent, repeated directive from God, signaling importance.
  • and confront (וְהִתְיַצֵּב - v'hityatzev): From the root יצב (yatsav), meaning to stand, stand firm, take one's stand. It implies a direct, unyielding, authoritative confrontation rather than a humble petition. Moses is to stand before Pharaoh in a position of authority granted by God.
  • Pharaoh: The absolute ruler of Egypt, viewed as a god. The confrontation is a direct challenge to his sovereignty and perceived divine status by a power higher than himself.

• 'and say to him, "Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews: (וְאָמַרְתָּ אֵלָיו כֹּה־אָמַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי הָעִבְרִים - v'amarta elav koh-amar YHVH Elohei ha'Ivrim):

  • Thus says the LORD (כֹּה־אָמַר יְהוָה - koh-amar YHVH): A formal, unchangeable, and authoritative prophetic formula, carrying the weight of the sovereign Creator. It asserts that this is not a human demand but a divine decree.
  • the God of the Hebrews (אֱלֹהֵי הָעִבְרִים - Elohei ha'Ivrim):
    • God (אֱלֹהֵי - Elohei): A plural noun with a singular meaning when referring to YHVH, conveying majesty and supreme power.
    • of the Hebrews (הָעִבְרִים - ha'Ivrim): A unique identifier emphasizing YHVH's specific connection and covenant relationship with Israel, contrasting Him sharply with the pantheon of Egyptian gods. This title also implicitly challenges Pharaoh's claim of divine authority over the Israelites. It is a polemic, asserting that Israel belongs to another, superior deity.

• 'Let My people go, that they may serve Me.'" (שַׁלַּח אֶת־עַמִּי וְיַעַבְדֻנִי - shalach et-ammi v'ya'avduni):

  • Let My people go (שַׁלַּח אֶת־עַמִּי - shalach et-ammi): The consistent and central demand. "My people" signifies God's ownership and covenant relationship with Israel, undermining Pharaoh's claim over them. The word for "go" implies complete release and freedom.
  • that they may serve Me (וְיַעַבְדֻנִי - v'ya'avduni): From the root עבד ('avad), meaning to serve, worship, or perform religious duty. This is the divine purpose of Israel's liberation. It implies more than mere physical labor or freedom from bondage; it denotes allegiance, obedience, and cultic worship directed solely towards the LORD. This phrase explicitly clarifies that Israel's exodus is for a spiritual, not merely political, purpose. It contrasts serving God with the involuntary, harsh servitude to Pharaoh.

Exodus 9 13 Bonus Section

• The recurring "rise early in the morning" (Exod 7:15, 8:20, 9:13, 10:1) highlights God's unwavering consistency in warning Pharaoh, providing ample opportunity for repentance before further judgment. It emphasizes divine long-suffering even in the face of escalating rebellion.
• The phrase "God of the Hebrews" served to distinguish YHVH from any general deity and challenged the Egyptian worldview which typically confined deities to specific localities or functions. It established the universal scope of YHVH's authority as demonstrated through His covenant people.
• The progression of the plagues also serves as a polemic against specific Egyptian deities; for instance, the plague on livestock could be seen as an assault on gods like Apis (the sacred bull) and Hathor (cow-headed goddess). This verse's strong declaration of "the LORD, the God of the Hebrews" acts as an overarching statement against all such gods, proclaiming His singular supremacy.

Exodus 9 13 Commentary

Exodus 9:13 is not just another warning; it represents a deepening of the conflict between God and Pharaoh, underscoring the spiritual nature of the struggle. God's directive to Moses to confront Pharaoh "early in the morning" demonstrates divine persistence and signals the urgency of the moment, placing God's demand at the forefront of Pharaoh's day. The authoritative declaration "Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews" directly challenges Pharaoh's perceived divine status and the Egyptian pantheon, positioning YHVH as the sovereign and true God who has a proprietary claim on a specific people. This identification, "God of the Hebrews," is a distinct polemic against Egyptian religious thought, asserting that YHVH's authority transcends national boundaries and local deities. The repeated demand, "Let My people go, that they may serve Me," articulates the very heart of the Exodus: liberation is a means to an end, specifically, to facilitate the true and exclusive worship of God. Israel is to be freed from earthly slavery to serve the living God, contrasting the forced servitude to Pharaoh with the joyous, dedicated service owed to their Creator and Deliverer. Pharaoh's continued refusal highlights his direct rebellion against ultimate divine authority and sets the stage for God to further display His omnipotence to "show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth" (Exod 9:16).