Exodus 10:22 - Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days.
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What does "Exodus 10:22" mean?
Exodus 10:22 describes the ninth plague that God inflicted upon Egypt, a plague of thick darkness. Let's break down the verse:
"Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky..." This is a common phrase indicating that Moses was acting as God's agent, invoking God's power to bring about the plague. The outstretched hand is a gesture of prayer, command, and divine intervention.
"...and there was a thick darkness..." This describes the nature of the plague: not just a dimming of the light, but a palpable, dense darkness. The Hebrew word often translated as "thick" implies a darkness so heavy it could almost be felt.
"...in all the land of Egypt for three days." This specifies the extent and duration of the plague. It was not localized but covered the entire land, and it lasted for a significant period.
Meaning and Significance:
Judgment on Egyptian Gods: Many scholars believe that each plague was a direct attack on one or more of the Egyptian gods. The sun god Ra was one of the most important deities in the Egyptian pantheon. This darkness was a direct challenge to Ra, demonstrating the powerlessness of the Egyptian gods in the face of the God of Israel.
Paralysis and Terror: The thick darkness would have been terrifying and disorienting. It would have brought daily life to a standstill. People would have been unable to work, travel, or even see their neighbors. This paralysis and fear would have added to the psychological pressure on the Egyptians.
Contrast with Goshen: According to Exodus 10:23, the Israelites in Goshen (where they lived) had light. This contrast highlighted God's protection of his people and further emphasized the judgment on the Egyptians.
Escalation of Plagues: The plagues were a series of escalating events designed to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites. The darkness, being so complete and debilitating, represented a significant increase in the severity of the plagues.
A Display of Divine Power: Ultimately, the darkness served as a demonstration of God's power and his ability to control the natural world. It showcased his sovereignty over the Egyptian gods and his determination to deliver his people from slavery.
In summary, this verse describes a devastating plague of darkness that served as a judgment on Egypt, a challenge to its gods, and a demonstration of the power of the God of Israel. It was a key event in the Exodus narrative, forcing Pharaoh closer to the point of releasing the Israelites.
Exodus 10:22 - Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days.
What does "Exodus 10:22" mean?
Exodus 10:22 describes the ninth plague that God inflicted upon Egypt, a plague of thick darkness. Let's break down the verse:
"Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky..." This is a common phrase indicating that Moses was acting as God's agent, invoking God's power to bring about the plague. The outstretched hand is a gesture of prayer, command, and divine intervention.
"...and there was a thick darkness..." This describes the nature of the plague: not just a dimming of the light, but a palpable, dense darkness. The Hebrew word often translated as "thick" implies a darkness so heavy it could almost be felt.
"...in all the land of Egypt for three days." This specifies the extent and duration of the plague. It was not localized but covered the entire land, and it lasted for a significant period.
Meaning and Significance:
Judgment on Egyptian Gods: Many scholars believe that each plague was a direct attack on one or more of the Egyptian gods. The sun god Ra was one of the most important deities in the Egyptian pantheon. This darkness was a direct challenge to Ra, demonstrating the powerlessness of the Egyptian gods in the face of the God of Israel.
Paralysis and Terror: The thick darkness would have been terrifying and disorienting. It would have brought daily life to a standstill. People would have been unable to work, travel, or even see their neighbors. This paralysis and fear would have added to the psychological pressure on the Egyptians.
Contrast with Goshen: According to Exodus 10:23, the Israelites in Goshen (where they lived) had light. This contrast highlighted God's protection of his people and further emphasized the judgment on the Egyptians.
Escalation of Plagues: The plagues were a series of escalating events designed to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites. The darkness, being so complete and debilitating, represented a significant increase in the severity of the plagues.
A Display of Divine Power: Ultimately, the darkness served as a demonstration of God's power and his ability to control the natural world. It showcased his sovereignty over the Egyptian gods and his determination to deliver his people from slavery.
In summary, this verse describes a devastating plague of darkness that served as a judgment on Egypt, a challenge to its gods, and a demonstration of the power of the God of Israel. It was a key event in the Exodus narrative, forcing Pharaoh closer to the point of releasing the Israelites.