Exodus 10:11 is part of the negotiation between Moses and Pharaoh regarding the Israelites' freedom. Let's break down what it means in context:
The Context: Moses is demanding that Pharaoh let the Israelites go into the desert to worship Yahweh (God). Pharaoh is resisting, suffering plagues as a result of his refusal. This specific verse comes after a plague of locusts has devastated Egypt. Moses is trying to get Pharaoh to allow the people to leave for a religious pilgrimage.
"Not so!" This is Pharaoh's strong rejection of Moses' previous proposal. He doesn't want to let anyone go.
"Go now you who are men, and serve Yahweh; for that is what you desire!" This is Pharaoh's limited concession (and also a tactic of division). He's saying, "Okay, I'll let some of you go, but only the men. The women, children, and livestock have to stay behind." He assumes that only the men are interested in worshiping Yahweh. The phrase "for that is what you desire!" is dripping with sarcasm. He believes he's giving them what they want (a chance to worship), but he's clearly not giving them everything they want (full freedom for everyone and their possessions). It's meant to be insulting and a way to control the situation.
"They were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence." This signifies the complete breakdown of the negotiation at that point. Moses and Aaron, representing the Israelites, were forcefully expelled from Pharaoh's court. Pharaoh is showing his absolute power and refusal to negotiate further on Moses' terms.
In summary, the verse reveals the following:
Pharaoh's Stubbornness: He remains resistant to releasing the entire Israelite people.
Pharaoh's Manipulation: He tries to divide the Israelites by offering limited freedom to the men only.
Pharaoh's Arrogance: He believes he knows what the Israelites truly want and can control the situation by dictating the terms of their worship.
The Impasse: The verse marks a dead end in the negotiation process, setting the stage for further plagues and escalating tension.
The verse demonstrates Pharaoh's unwillingness to fully concede to God's demands, ultimately leading to the more severe plagues that follow.
Exodus 10:11 is part of the negotiation between Moses and Pharaoh regarding the Israelites' freedom. Let's break down what it means in context:
The Context: Moses is demanding that Pharaoh let the Israelites go into the desert to worship Yahweh (God). Pharaoh is resisting, suffering plagues as a result of his refusal. This specific verse comes after a plague of locusts has devastated Egypt. Moses is trying to get Pharaoh to allow the people to leave for a religious pilgrimage.
"Not so!" This is Pharaoh's strong rejection of Moses' previous proposal. He doesn't want to let anyone go.
"Go now you who are men, and serve Yahweh; for that is what you desire!" This is Pharaoh's limited concession (and also a tactic of division). He's saying, "Okay, I'll let some of you go, but only the men. The women, children, and livestock have to stay behind." He assumes that only the men are interested in worshiping Yahweh. The phrase "for that is what you desire!" is dripping with sarcasm. He believes he's giving them what they want (a chance to worship), but he's clearly not giving them everything they want (full freedom for everyone and their possessions). It's meant to be insulting and a way to control the situation.
"They were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence." This signifies the complete breakdown of the negotiation at that point. Moses and Aaron, representing the Israelites, were forcefully expelled from Pharaoh's court. Pharaoh is showing his absolute power and refusal to negotiate further on Moses' terms.
In summary, the verse reveals the following:
Pharaoh's Stubbornness: He remains resistant to releasing the entire Israelite people.
Pharaoh's Manipulation: He tries to divide the Israelites by offering limited freedom to the men only.
Pharaoh's Arrogance: He believes he knows what the Israelites truly want and can control the situation by dictating the terms of their worship.
The Impasse: The verse marks a dead end in the negotiation process, setting the stage for further plagues and escalating tension.
The verse demonstrates Pharaoh's unwillingness to fully concede to God's demands, ultimately leading to the more severe plagues that follow.