New International VersionPharaoh said, “The LORD be with you—if I let you go, along with your women and children! Clearly you are bent on evil.
New Living TranslationPharaoh retorted, “The LORD will certainly need to be with you if I let you take your little ones! I can see through your evil plan.
English Standard VersionBut he said to them, “The LORD be with you, if ever I let you and your little ones go! Look, you have some evil purpose in mind.
Berean Standard BibleThen Pharaoh told them, “May the LORD be with you if I ever let you go with your little ones. Clearly you are bent on evil.
King James BibleAnd he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you.
New King James VersionThen he said to them, “The LORD had better be with you when I let you and your little ones go! Beware, for evil is ahead of you.
New American Standard BibleThen he said to them, “So may the LORD be with you, when I let you and your little ones go! Watch out, for evil is on your mind!
NASB 1995Then he said to them, “Thus may the LORD be with you, if ever I let you and your little ones go! Take heed, for evil is in your mind.
NASB 1977Then he said to them, “Thus may the LORD be with you, if ever I let you and your little ones go! Take heed, for evil is in your mind.
Legacy Standard BibleThen he said to them, “Thus may Yahweh be with you, if ever I let you and your little ones go! See, for evil is on your faces.
Amplified BiblePharaoh said to them, “The LORD be with you [to help you], if I ever let you go with your children [because you will never return]! Look [be forewarned], you have an evil plan in mind.
Christian Standard BibleHe said to them, “The LORD would have to be with you if I would ever let you and your families go! Look out—you’re heading for trouble.
Holman Christian Standard BibleHe said to them, “May Yahweh be with you if I ever let you and your families go! Look out—you are planning evil.
American Standard VersionAnd he said unto them, So be Jehovah with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you.
Contemporary English VersionThe king replied, "The LORD had better watch over you on the day I let you leave with your families! You're up to no good.
English Revised VersionAnd he said unto them, So be the LORD with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationPharaoh said to them, "The LORD would have to be with you if I would ever let you take your women and children along. I know you're up to no good!
Good News TranslationThe king said, "I swear by the LORD that I will never let you take your women and children! It is clear that you are plotting to revolt.
International Standard VersionThen Pharaoh told them, "The LORD will certainly be with you if I let you and your little ones go. I know some evil plan is in your mind.
NET BibleHe said to them, "The LORD will need to be with you if I release you and your dependents! Watch out! Trouble is right in front of you!
New Heart English BibleHe said to them, "The LORD be with you if I will let you go with your little ones. See, evil is clearly before your faces.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd he said to them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Pharaoh told them, “May the LORD be with you if I ever let you go with your little ones. Clearly you are bent on evil.
World English BibleHe said to them, “Yahweh be with you if I let you go with your little ones! See, evil is clearly before your faces. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he says to them, “Be it so, YHWH [is] with you when I send you and your infants away; see—for evil [is] before your faces.
Young's Literal Translation And he saith unto them, 'Be it so, Jehovah be with you when I send you and your infants away; see -- for evil is before your faces;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd he will say to them, So will Jehovah be with you, as I will send you forth, and your little ones: see ye, for evil is manifest before you. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Pharao answered: So be the Lord with you, as I shall let you and your children go: who can doubt but that you intend some great evil?
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd Pharaoh responded: “So let the Lord be with you. But if I were to release you and your little ones, who would doubt that you intend some great wickedness?
New American Bible“The LORD help you,” Pharaoh replied, “if I let your little ones go with you! Clearly, you have some evil in mind.
New Revised Standard VersionHe said to them, “The LORD indeed will be with you, if ever I let your little ones go with you! Plainly, you have some evil purpose in mind. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Pharaoh said to them, Let the LORD be with you, but when I let you and your little ones go, look to it; perhaps you have evil intent.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd he said to them, “LORD JEHOVAH shall be with you in this way when I have sent you and your little ones, but see that there is no harm against your persons. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he said unto them: 'So be the LORD with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones; see ye that evil is before your face.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd he said to them, So let the Lord be with you: as I will send you away, must I send away you store also? see that evil is attached to you.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Eighth Plague: Locusts… 9“We will go with our young and old,” Moses replied. “We will go with our sons and daughters, and with our flocks and herds, for we must hold a feast to the LORD.” 10Then Pharaohtold them,“May the LORDbewith youif I everlet you gowith your little ones.Clearlyyou are benton evil.11No, only the men may go and worship the LORD, since that is what you have been requesting.” And Moses and Aaron were driven from Pharaoh’s presence.…
Cross References Exodus 5:2But Pharaoh replied, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”
Exodus 8:15When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, however, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.
Exodus 9:17Still, you lord it over My people and do not allow them to go.
Exodus 12:31-32Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. / Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also.”
Exodus 14:5When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.”
Numbers 22:29Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now!”
1 Samuel 15:13-14When Samuel reached him, Saul said to him, “May the LORD bless you. I have carried out the LORD’s instructions.” / But Samuel replied, “Then what is this bleating of sheep and lowing of cattle that I hear?”
1 Kings 20:10-11Then Ben-hadad sent another message to Ahab: “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if enough dust remains of Samaria for each of my men to have a handful.” / And the king of Israel replied, “Tell him: ‘The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.’”
2 Kings 18:30-35Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the LORD when he says, ‘The LORD will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’ / Do not listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and his own fig tree and drink water from his own cistern, / until I come and take you away to a land like your own—a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey—so that you may live and not die. But do not listen to Hezekiah, for he misleads you when he says, ‘The LORD will deliver us.’ ...
Isaiah 36:18-20Do not let Hezekiah mislead you when he says, ‘The LORD will deliver us.’ Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? / Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand? / Who among all the gods of these lands has delivered his land from my hand? How then can the LORD deliver Jerusalem from my hand?”
Jeremiah 43:2Azariah son of Hoshaiah, Johanan son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to reside there.’
Ezekiel 29:3Speak to him and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, O great monster who lies among his rivers, who says, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it myself.’
Daniel 3:15Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the statue I have made, very good. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?”
Matthew 2:8And sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.”
Matthew 27:63-64“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while He was alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ / So give the order that the tomb be secured until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal Him away and tell the people He has risen from the dead. And this last deception would be worse than the first.”
Treasury of Scripture And he said to them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you. bo so Exodus 12:30,31 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; forthere was not a house wherethere was not one dead… Exodus 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: look to it 2 Chronicles 32:15 Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand? Lamentations 3:37 Whois hethat saith, and it cometh to pass,when the Lord commandethit not? Jump to Previous BentCareChildrenClearlyEvilFaceFacesHeedInfantsLittleMindOnesPharaohPurposeWomenJump to Next BentCareChildrenClearlyEvilFaceFacesHeedInfantsLittleMindOnesPharaohPurposeWomenExodus 10 1.God threatens to send locusts7.Pharaoh, moved by his servants, inclines to let the Israelites go12.The plague of the locusts16.Pharaoh entreats Moses21.The plague of darkness24.Pharaoh again entreats Moses, but yet is hardenedThen Pharaoh told themPharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, represents the hardened heart and opposition to God's will. His interactions with Moses and Aaron are central to the narrative of the Exodus, showcasing the struggle between divine authority and human obstinacy. This phrase sets the stage for Pharaoh's continued resistance to God's command to let the Israelites go. “May the LORD be with you
This statement is likely sarcastic, as Pharaoh does not genuinely invoke the LORD's blessing. It reflects the tension between Pharaoh's authority and the power of the God of Israel. The irony is that the LORD is indeed with Moses and the Israelites, guiding them through the plagues and ultimately leading them to freedom. if I ever let you go with your little ones.
Pharaoh's reluctance to let the Israelites leave with their families highlights his desire to maintain control over them. By keeping the children, Pharaoh aims to ensure the return of the adults, thus preserving his labor force. This reflects the broader theme of bondage and liberation that runs throughout the Exodus narrative. Clearly you are bent on evil.
Pharaoh accuses Moses and Aaron of having malicious intent, projecting his own hardened heart onto them. This accusation is unfounded, as Moses and Aaron are acting under God's command. The statement underscores Pharaoh's misunderstanding of God's purpose and the righteousness of the Israelites' cause. This mirrors the broader biblical theme of the righteous being misunderstood or persecuted by those in power. Persons / Places / Events 1. PharaohThe ruler of Egypt who is obstinate and refuses to let the Israelites go, despite the plagues. 2. Moses and AaronThe leaders of the Israelites, chosen by God to demand their freedom from Pharaoh. 3. The IsraelitesGod's chosen people, enslaved in Egypt, seeking freedom to worship God. 4. EgyptThe land where the Israelites are enslaved, experiencing God's plagues as a result of Pharaoh's hardened heart. 5. The PlaguesA series of divine judgments on Egypt, demonstrating God's power and sovereignty. Teaching Points The Hardness of HeartPharaoh's response exemplifies a heart hardened against God's will. Believers should guard against hardening their hearts to God's commands and guidance. God's SovereigntyThe plagues and Pharaoh's resistance demonstrate God's ultimate control over human affairs. Trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem insurmountable. Faith in AdversityMoses and Aaron's persistence in confronting Pharaoh teaches us to remain steadfast in faith, even when facing powerful opposition. The Importance of Family in WorshipPharaoh's reluctance to let the Israelites go with their families underscores the importance of family unity in worship and spiritual practices. Recognizing Spiritual WarfarePharaoh's accusation of evil intentions reflects the spiritual battle believers face. Discernment and reliance on God's truth are essential. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Exodus 10:10?
2.How does Pharaoh's response in Exodus 10:10 reveal his hardened heart toward God?
3.What does Pharaoh's threat in Exodus 10:10 teach about spiritual opposition today?
4.How can Exodus 10:10 inspire us to trust God's protection against worldly threats?
5.Compare Pharaoh's attitude in Exodus 10:10 with Romans 8:31's message of divine support.
6.How should believers respond when facing intimidation similar to Pharaoh's in Exodus 10:10?
7.What does Pharaoh's response in Exodus 10:10 reveal about his character and intentions?
8.How does Exodus 10:10 reflect the theme of divine judgment in the Bible?
9.Why does Pharaoh mention evil in Exodus 10:10, and what does it signify?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 10?
11.Why did God kill Egypt's firstborn children?
12.Stephen states Moses was 'mighty in words' (Acts 7:22), but Exodus 4:10 depicts Moses as slow of speech. How do we reconcile these descriptions?
13.Why does Moses repeatedly request permission for worship yet continue threatening Pharaoh (Exodus 10:9-11) if God had already determined Pharaoh's heart would be hardened?
14.Why does God cause people's hearts to harden?What Does Exodus 10:10 Mean Then Pharaoh told themPharaoh’s response follows Moses’ bold demand that everyone—men, women, and little ones—be allowed to worship God in the wilderness (Exodus 10:8-9). • Having already endured the plague of locusts foretold in verses 4-6, Pharaoh’s pride is wounded, yet he still postures as the one in control (compareExodus 5:2; 9:27-28). • His words reveal hardened resistance foretold by God (Exodus 4:21; 7:3-4), underscoring the Lord’s sovereignty over even obstinate rulers (Romans 9:17).
May the LORD be with youPharaoh invokes the covenant name of Israel’s God—YHWH—likely with sarcasm. • He has witnessed the Lord’s power through eight plagues, yet refuses to submit (Exodus 8:19; 9:16). • Ironically, his words foreshadow God’s actual presence with Israel once they depart (Exodus 13:21-22;Matthew 28:20). • Scripture often records unbelievers acknowledging God’s hand while still resisting Him (Numbers 23:11-12;Luke 8:28-31).
if I ever let you go with your little onesPharaoh draws a hard line: the children must stay. • He previously offered partial compromises—allowing only the men (Exodus 10:11) or keeping the livestock (Exodus 10:24). • Keeping families hostage would guarantee Israel’s return; Satan likewise seeks to divide families and hinder wholehearted worship (Nehemiah 4:14;Ephesians 6:4). • God, however, commands entire households to serve Him together (Joshua 24:15;Joel 2:16).
Clearly you are bent on evilPharaoh accuses Moses and Aaron of plotting harm, projecting his own malicious intent onto God’s people. • This mirrors earlier accusations that Israelites were lazy (Exodus 5:8). Evil rulers often deflect blame (1 Kings 18:17;Acts 17:6-7). • Jesus noted a similar inversion when opponents called good “evil” and evil “good” (John 8:44;Isaiah 5:20). • Pharaoh’s slander anticipates the final plague, where his own evil will be exposed (Exodus 11:4-8).
summaryExodus 10:10 captures Pharaoh’s hardened heart: he sarcastically invokes the Lord’s name, manipulates with partial concessions, and labels God’s servants as evil. The verse underscores God’s sovereign prediction of Pharaoh’s resistance and sets the stage for Israel’s complete deliverance. By refusing to let the children go, Pharaoh reveals the enemy’s strategy to fracture families, yet God will protect and bring out the whole nation, proving His faithfulness and power. (10) Little ones.--Heb., families. These would include the children and the dependents. (See comment on Exodus 1:1.) Evil is before you.--Heb.,evil is before your faces--i.e., you contemplate doing me a mischief, by depriving me of the services of so large a body of labourers. Verse 10. - And he said, etc. Pharaoh's reply to the plain statement of Moses is full of scorn and anger, as if he would say - "When was ever so extravagant and outrageous a demand made? How can it be supposed that I would listen to it? So may Jehovah help you, as I will help you in this - to let you go, with your families." ( Taph is "family," or household, not "little ones." See Exodus 1:1.) Look to it; for evil is before you. Or, "Look to it; for you have evil in view." Beware, i.e., of what you are about. You entertain the evil design of robbing me of my slaves - a design which I shall not allow you to carry out. There is no direct threat, only an indirect one, implied in "Look to it."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Then [Pharaoh]וַיֹּ֣אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, saytold them,אֲלֵהֶ֗ם(’ă·lê·hem)Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, to“May the LORDיְהוָה֙(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelbeיְהִ֨י(yə·hî)Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bewith youעִמָּכֶ֔ם(‘im·mā·ḵem)Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5973:With, equally withif I everכַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר(ka·’ă·šer)Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatlet you goאֲשַׁלַּ֥ח(’ă·šal·laḥ)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7971:To send away, for, outwith your little ones.טַפְּכֶ֑ם(ṭap·pə·ḵem)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 2945:A familyClearlyרְא֕וּ(rə·’ū)Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7200:To seeyou are bentנֶ֥גֶד(ne·ḡeḏ)Preposition
Strong's 5048:A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, beforeon evil.רָעָ֖ה(rā·‘āh)Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451:Bad, evil
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OT Law: Exodus 10:10 He said to them Yahweh be (Exo. Ex) |
