Exodus 9:1 - Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, and tell him, ‘This is what Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says: “Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Generated Verse: Exodus 9:1

What does "Exodus 9:1" mean?


This verse is a pivotal moment in the story of the Exodus, the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Let's break it down:

"Then Yahweh said to Moses...": This establishes that the message is coming directly from God (Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God). Moses is acting as God's messenger.

"Go in to Pharaoh...": Moses is being instructed to approach Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt. This is significant because Pharaoh is considered a god-king and is unlikely to listen to a foreign slave.

"...and tell him, ‘This is what Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says...": Moses is instructed to deliver a direct message, emphasizing that it's not his personal request but a divine command. Yahweh is identified as "the God of the Hebrews," a potentially provocative statement asserting the existence of a God other than the Egyptian deities and linking Him specifically to the enslaved people.

"...“Let my people go, that they may serve me.": This is the core demand:
"Let my people go": This is a request for the immediate release of the Israelites from slavery.
"that they may serve me": This explains the purpose of their release – not simply freedom for the sake of freedom, but freedom to worship and serve Yahweh. This is a key element because the Israelites were prevented from practicing their religion under Pharaoh's rule. The "service" here refers to religious worship and obedience to God's laws.

In Summary:

The verse is a direct command from God to Pharaoh, delivered by Moses, demanding the release of the Israelites from slavery so they can freely worship Yahweh. It establishes a power dynamic between Yahweh and Pharaoh, setting the stage for the series of plagues that will follow as Yahweh demonstrates His power. The core issue is about freedom of religion and the right to serve God without oppression.

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