No one could see anyone elseThis phrase describes the ninth plague that God sent upon Egypt: a profound darkness. This darkness was so intense that it was tangible, a supernatural event beyond a mere solar eclipse or sandstorm. In biblical context, darkness often symbolizes judgment and separation from God (e.g.,
Genesis 1:2,
Matthew 27:45). The inability to see others highlights the isolation and fear that the Egyptians experienced, emphasizing the severity of God's judgment against Pharaoh's hardened heart.
and for three days no one left his place
The duration of three days is significant in biblical narratives, often representing a period of trial or transition (e.g.,Jonah 1:17,Matthew 12:40). The confinement of the Egyptians to their homes underscores the totality of the plague's impact, rendering them helpless and immobilized. This period of darkness contrasts with the light and liberation that God would soon bring to the Israelites, foreshadowing their imminent exodus from Egypt.
Yet all the Israelites had light in their dwellings
This miraculous provision of light for the Israelites serves as a testament to God's covenant faithfulness and protection over His chosen people. It distinguishes the Israelites from the Egyptians, highlighting the theme of divine favor and separation. This light can be seen as a type of Christ, who is described as the "light of the world" (John 8:12), bringing spiritual illumination and salvation. The distinction between light and darkness here prefigures the ultimate deliverance and redemption that God provides through Jesus Christ.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PharaohThe ruler of Egypt who refused to let the Israelites go, leading to the plagues.
2.
MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites, who conveyed God's commands to Pharaoh.
3.
EgyptThe land where the Israelites were enslaved and where the plagues occurred.
4.
IsraelitesThe descendants of Jacob, living in Egypt, who were spared from the plague of darkness.
5.
Plague of DarknessThe ninth plague sent by God upon Egypt, causing complete darkness for three days.
Teaching Points
God's SovereigntyThe plague of darkness demonstrates God's absolute control over creation. He can bring light or darkness according to His will.
Protection of God's PeopleThe Israelites had light in their dwellings, showing God's provision and protection for His people even in the midst of judgment.
Spiritual LightJust as God provided physical light to the Israelites, He provides spiritual light to believers through Jesus Christ, guiding us through the darkness of the world.
Judgment and MercyThe darkness was a form of judgment on Egypt, yet God showed mercy to the Israelites, illustrating the dual aspects of God's nature.
Obedience and DeliveranceThe plagues, including the darkness, were a call to Pharaoh to obey God. Similarly, God calls us to obedience, promising deliverance from spiritual bondage.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 10:23?
2.How does Exodus 10:23 demonstrate God's power over creation and human limitations?
3.What can we learn about obedience to God from the Israelites' experience?
4.How does the darkness in Exodus 10:23 foreshadow spiritual darkness in the New Testament?
5.How can we trust God to guide us through our own "darkness"?
6.What steps can we take to ensure we "had light" in our homes today?
7.How did the Israelites have light during the darkness in Exodus 10:23?
8.What is the significance of darkness in Exodus 10:23?
9.How does Exodus 10:23 demonstrate God's power over nature?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 10?
11.What natural or astronomical phenomenon could explain the dense darkness (Exodus 10:21–23) that affected only Egypt?
12.What were the Ten Plagues of Egypt in the Bible?
13.How could the sun “stand still” in Joshua 10:13 without catastrophic effects on Earth?
14.Joshua 15:63 states that the men of Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites from Jerusalem; how does this align with claims of total conquest elsewhere in the book?What Does Exodus 10:23 Mean
No one could see anyone else• The plague brought a literal, supernatural darkness so dense that sight itself was crippled (Exodus 10:21–22;Psalm 105:28).
• Darkness in Scripture often pictures judgment and separation from God’s presence (Revelation 16:10;2 Thessalonians 1:9), and here it publicly exposes Egypt’s spiritual blindness (Isaiah 60:2).
• God confronts Egypt’s sun-worship—He alone controls light (Genesis 1:3), silencing every Egyptian deity and proving that “the gods of Egypt” are powerless (Exodus 12:12).
• The inability to see one another highlights isolation; sin severs fellowship both with God and neighbor (1 John 1:6).
for three days no one left his place• A full seventy-two hours of immobility paralyzed commerce, government, and daily life, underscoring the totality of God’s judgment (Exodus 10:22).
• “Three days” anticipates other pivotal three-day events—Jonah in the fish (Jonah 1:17) and Christ in the tomb (Matthew 12:40)—where darkness yields to deliverance.
• Egypt’s proud ruler is rendered helpless; he who kept Israel from worshiping now finds his own people trapped (Proverbs 21:30).
• The escalation from nuisance plagues to life-halting judgments shows God’s patience giving way to decisive action (Romans 2:4–5).
Yet all the Israelites had light in their dwellings• In Goshen, God literally flips the switch—His covenant people enjoy uninterrupted light (Exodus 9:26).
• This contrast fulfills His promise to “make a distinction” between His people and Egypt (Exodus 8:22; 9:4).
• Light signifies God’s favor and salvation: “The LORD is my light” (Psalm 27:1); Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
• Israel’s lit homes prefigure believers called “out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9;Colossians 1:13).
• The scene encourages trust: even while judgment falls around them, God’s people can rest in His protective presence (Psalm 91:1).
summaryExodus 10:23 reveals a literal plague that plunged Egypt into absolute darkness while simultaneously illuminating Israel’s homes. God showcases His unmatched sovereignty, judges idolatry, and draws a bright line between those under judgment and those under covenant grace. In every age, He remains the Light whose presence scatters darkness and secures His people.
(23)
They saw not one another.--Heb.,
man did not see his brother. The darkness was absolute, equal to that of the darkest night.
Neither rose any from his place.--Comp.Exodus 16:29. No one quitted his house. Mr. Millington imagines that they all sat "glued to their seats" (Plagues of Egypt, p. 159), but this savours of over-literalism. It is not necessary to suppose that they had no artificial light, or that they ceased to move from chamber to chamber. What the writer intends to note is that all business and all intercourse with neighbours was suspended. No one quitted the house in which he was when the darkness began.
All the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.--The visitation, whatever it was, did not extend to the land of Goshen. (Comp.Exodus 8:22-24;Exodus 9:4-7;Exodus 9:26.)
Verse 23. -
They saw not one another. Or, "Man did not see his brother." The descriptive phrases previously used are poetic, and might imply many different degrees of obscurity. This seems distinctly to shew that pitch darkness is meant. Such absolute obscurity is far beyond anything which the khamsin produces, even when it is most severe, and indicates the miraculous character of the visitation.
Neither rose any from his place for three days. It is not meant that no one moved about his house, but that no one quitted it. (Compare
Exodus 16:29, where the phrase used is similar.) No one went out into the unnatural darkness out of doors, which he dreaded. All stayed at home, and did what they had to do by the artificial light of lamps or torches.
All the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. It is not explained how this was effected. Some suppose that the sand-storm did not extend to the land of Goshen. But in that case, such Egyptians as lived among the Israelites - their neighbours. (
Exodus 11:2) - would have shared the benefit, which seems not to have been the case. I should rather suppose that the storm was general, and that the Israelites were supplied with a light, not that of the sun, by miracle.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Noלֹֽא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nooneאִ֣ישׁ(’îš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male personcould seeרָא֞וּ(rā·’ū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7200:To seeeach other,אָחִ֗יו(’ā·ḥîw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251:A brother, )and for threeשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת(šə·lō·šeṯ)Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969:Three, third, thricedaysיָמִ֑ים(yā·mîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117:A dayno oneוְלֹא־(wə·lō-)Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noleftקָ֛מוּ(qā·mū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6965:To arise, stand up, standhis place.מִתַּחְתָּ֖יו(mit·taḥ·tāw)Preposition-m | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8478:The bottom, below, in lieu ofYet allוּֽלְכָל־(ū·lə·ḵāl-)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everythe Israelitesבְּנֵ֧י(bə·nê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonhadהָ֥יָה(hā·yāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, belightא֖וֹר(’ō·wr)Noun - common singular
Strong's 216:Illumination, luminaryin their dwellings.בְּמוֹשְׁבֹתָֽם׃(bə·mō·wō·šə·ḇō·ṯām)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4186:A seat, assembly, dwelling place, dwelling, dwellers
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OT Law: Exodus 10:23 They didn't see one another neither did (Exo. Ex) 
