Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Exodus
Chapter 10: Locusts and Darkness
The plagues near their end. God sends Moses again with a piercing question, "How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me?" Locusts sweep in on an east wind and devour everything the hail had left, until not a green thing remains. Pharaoh keeps offering to bargain, let only the men go, leave the little ones, leave the flocks, but Moses will not surrender an inch: "there shall not an hoof be left behind." Then a darkness that could be felt covers Egypt three days, so thick no one rises from his place, yet "all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings." At the last Pharaoh drives Moses out, swearing to see his face no more. Exodus 10 is a chapter about the pride that will not bow, the whole surrender God requires, and the light His people keep even when the world goes dark.
About This Commentary
This is a verse-by-verse study of Exodus chapter 10. For each section you will find the KJV text, the Hebrew words that sharpen the meaning, plain explanation, and a Gospel Focus. Chapter 10 carries the eighth and ninth plagues, locusts and darkness, along with Pharaoh's cunning offers of partial obedience. It teaches the root sin of pride, the whole-hearted surrender God demands, and the light that marks His people in a dark world. Every Scripture quotation is from the King James Version.
Setting the Stage
How Long Wilt Thou Refuse?
God lays bare the root of it all: "How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me?" Pride, not ignorance, is Pharaoh's ruin.
Not a Green Thing Left
An east wind brings locusts that devour all the hail had spared, until nothing green remains in the trees or the fields of Egypt.
Not a Hoof Left Behind
Pharaoh offers partial surrenders, only the men, leave the flocks, but Moses refuses; God is served with a whole obedience, not a portion.
Light in Their Dwellings
A darkness that may be felt covers Egypt three days, yet Israel has light in their homes; God divides His people from the world once more.
How Long Wilt Thou Refuse to Humble Thyself (Exodus 10:1-11)
God names the true issue, Pharaoh's pride, warns of locusts, and even his own servants beg him to relent; but Pharaoh will yield only a portion, offering to let the men go while keeping the rest.
Thus Saith the LORD God of the Hebrews
"And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him: And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD. And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me. Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field: And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh. And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed? And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD. And 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. Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence. And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left. And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such. For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt."
Explanation
God tells Moses why the plagues continue: He has hardened Pharaoh's heart to display His signs, so that Israel would tell their children and children's children "how that I am the LORD." Then comes the heart of the matter in God's question through Moses: "How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me?" The whole struggle is named, it is not a matter of evidence but of pride. God warns of locusts that will devour everything the hail left. This time even Pharaoh's servants have had enough; they plead, "How long shall this man be a snare unto us? ... knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?" Pharaoh calls Moses back and seems to relent, "Go, serve the LORD your God," but then asks, "who are they that shall go?" When Moses says all of them, young and old, sons and daughters, flocks and herds, Pharaoh refuses: "go now ye that are men," and drives them out. He will allow a partial obedience, but not a whole one.
Hebrew Study
"Humble thyself" renders the Hebrew anah, to bow low, to be brought down, to submit. It is the very thing Pharaoh would not do. All the plagues were, at bottom, God's call for a proud king to stoop, and his refusal to bend was the root from which every other refusal grew. The word looks ahead to the counsel God gave Solomon, that "if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray" (2 Chronicles 7:14), He would hear and heal.
Gospel Focus
"How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me?" This is God's question to every hardened heart, and it uncovers the root sin beneath all others: pride. Pharaoh did not lack proof; he lacked humility. He would sooner watch his nation destroyed than bow. Scripture states the principle plainly: "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" (James 4:6). The proud man sets himself against the very God who alone can save him, and every resistance costs him more. The only way out is down: "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up" (James 4:10). And notice Pharaoh's first great compromise, "go now ye that are men," leaving the children behind. This is exactly how the enemy tries to weaken God's people, urging a divided obedience: serve God, but keep back the family, the future, some part of the life for the world. Moses would not accept it, and neither should we. God is not honored by a partial surrender. He asks for all, and the humble heart gives Him all.
I Have Sinned Against the LORD (Exodus 10:12-20)
Locusts strip Egypt bare of every green thing, and Pharaoh again confesses his sin and begs for relief, but the moment the plague lifts the LORD hardens his heart once more.
Forgive My Sin Only This Once
"Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you. Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only. And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt. But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go. And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt."
Hebrew Study
An east wind carries in the locusts; a "mighty strong west wind" casts them into the sea — the LORD commands the very winds. Under the pressure Pharaoh summons Moses "in haste" and says "I have sinned" (chatati) — but it is the confession of a cornered man, not a broken one, and it evaporates the moment the plague lifts. The locusts devour "every herb" the hail had spared: nothing of Egypt's harvest is left, that they "may know" the LORD.
Explanation
Moses stretches out his rod, and God brings an east wind that carries in locusts such as Egypt had never seen and never would again. "They covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened," and they ate every herb and every fruit the hail had spared, "there remained not any green thing." Pharaoh calls for Moses "in haste" and makes another confession: "I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you." But listen to what he asks: "forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once ... that he may take away from me this death only." He wants his sin forgiven not because he hates it but so the "death" of the locusts will be lifted. It is relief he is after, not righteousness. Moses prays, God turns a strong west wind that sweeps every locust into the Red sea, and "there remained not one." And once more, "the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go."
Gospel Focus
Pharaoh's second "I have sinned" exposes the same hollow heart as his first. Look closely at his prayer: he asks God to "take away from me this death only." He is not asking to be freed from his sin but from its consequence. This is the counterfeit repentance of a heart that loves the sin and only fears the punishment. True repentance says with David, "against thee, thee only, have I sinned" (Psalm 51:4), grieving the offense to God; false repentance grieves only the pain to self. Pharaoh wanted the locusts gone, not his rebellion. So the moment the wind carried the plague to the sea, his heart was as hard as ever. Beware a sorrow that only wants the trouble removed. God offers to take away not merely "this death" but the sin itself and the death behind it. The gospel does not just lift the plague; it changes the heart. Those who come to God asking only for relief and not for cleansing find, like Pharaoh, that their repentance lasts no longer than their pain.
Darkness Which May Be Felt (Exodus 10:21-23)
A thick darkness settles over Egypt for three days, so deep that no one moves, while the children of Israel have light in all their dwellings.
But Israel Had Light in Their Dwellings
"And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you. And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither. But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go."
Explanation
The ninth plague needs no locust or frog; God simply withdraws the light. Moses stretches his hand toward heaven and "there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days," a darkness so heavy no one could see another or even rise from his place. Egypt worshiped the sun as the god Ra, chief among their deities, and God blotted it out with a word, showing that the light itself was His to give or take. For three days Egypt sat paralyzed in the dark. "But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings." The same land, the same hours, yet where God's people lived there was light. This is the sharpest picture yet of the division God keeps drawing between Israel and Egypt, between His people and the world.
Hebrew Study
The phrase "darkness which may be felt" (verse 21) describes a darkness so dense it is almost tangible, a thing that presses on the body, not merely the absence of light but a smothering presence of gloom. By striking the sun, God overthrew the mightiest of Egypt's gods. And the contrast, Egypt in darkness while "Israel had light in their dwellings," becomes a lasting image in Scripture of the God who "commanded the light to shine out of darkness" (2 Corinthians 4:6).
Gospel Focus
"The children of Israel had light in their dwellings." Here is the portrait of God's people in every age: the world may be plunged in a darkness that can be felt, but where God's people dwell there is light. That light is not their own; it is the presence of God among them. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12), and He tells His people, "Ye are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). We live in an Egypt of spiritual darkness, but the Lord has "called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9). The darkness cannot cross the threshold where Christ is honored. This is the hope of the church: however thick the night grows over the world, the homes and hearts where the Lord dwells are not left in the dark. Let us be a people with light in our dwellings, that those groping in Egypt's blackness may see it and come.
Not a Hoof Left Behind (Exodus 10:24-29)
Pharaoh offers his final compromise, go, but leave the flocks; Moses refuses to surrender a hoof, and Pharaoh drives him out with a threat to see his face no more.
See My Face No More
"And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die. And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more."
Hebrew Study
Pharaoh bargains one last time — go, but leave the flocks — then breaks off in a threat: "see my face no more... in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die." Moses answers, "I will see thy face again no more." Just before this, the ninth plague had wrapped Egypt in a darkness that "may be felt" (yamesh choshek) — a blow against Ra the sun-god himself. The light of Egypt's chief deity is snuffed out, and now Pharaoh, in his own darkness, drives away the only man who speaks for the true God.
Explanation
Even in the darkness Pharaoh tries one more bargain. He will let the people go, "only let your flocks and your herds be stayed." Keep the livestock in Egypt as a pledge, and perhaps a hostage to force their return. But Moses will not yield: "Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD." They could not even know yet what God would require of them for sacrifice, so nothing could be left behind. Again the LORD hardens Pharaoh, and now the king's patience snaps. He drives Moses out with a death threat: "see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die." Moses answers with quiet finality, "Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more." The audience is over. The next word from God will not be a warning but the final plague.
Gospel Focus
Gather up Pharaoh's four bargains across these plagues, and you have the enemy's whole strategy against a believer's obedience. First, "sacrifice to your God in the land" (Exodus 8:25), stay in Egypt, do not truly separate. Then, "only ye shall not go very far away" (Exodus 8:28), leave, but not too far, keep the world in reach. Then, "go now ye that are men" (Exodus 10:11), leave your children behind. Finally, "let your flocks and your herds be stayed" (Exodus 10:24), go, but leave your substance in Egypt. Each is a plea for a partial, divided surrender. And to every one Moses gives the same answer God still requires: "there shall not an hoof be left behind." God will not share His people with Egypt. He calls for a whole obedience, ourselves, our children, and all we have, nothing kept back in the world. This is the "reasonable service" of presenting "your bodies a living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1). The Christian life is not a negotiation with the world over how much of us God may have. He redeemed all of us, and He asks for all, not a hoof left behind.
Chapter 10 in Review
Exodus 10 carries the plagues of locusts and darkness. God names the root of Pharaoh's ruin in a question, "How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me?" Locusts sweep in on an east wind and strip Egypt of every green thing; Pharaoh confesses "I have sinned" but asks only that God "take away from me this death," wanting relief, not cleansing, and hardens the moment the west wind clears the locusts to the sea. Then a darkness that may be felt covers Egypt three days, while "all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings." Through it all Pharaoh offers partial surrenders, only the men, leave the flocks, and to each Moses answers that "there shall not an hoof be left behind." At last Pharaoh drives Moses out to see his face no more.
For the Apostolic reader, this chapter cuts to the heart. It names pride as the root sin, the refusal to humble oneself before God, and reminds us that "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." It warns again against a repentance that wants only the plague gone and not the sin. It sets before us the whole surrender God requires, refusing Pharaoh's every offer of a divided obedience, for God will not be served with a portion while the rest stays in Egypt. And it holds out the shining hope of God's people: though the world sit in a darkness that can be felt, the dwellings of the faithful have light, for the Lord has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light. Humble, whole, and shining, that is the people God is bringing out.
- The root sin is pride; God's question is "How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself?" (10:3; James 4:6, 10).
- Pharaoh wanted his sin forgiven only to escape "this death"; beware a repentance that seeks relief, not cleansing (10:17; Psalm 51:4).
- God keeps light for His people even when the world is in darkness that may be felt (10:23; John 8:12; 1 Peter 2:9).
- God requires a whole surrender; Moses would leave "not an hoof" of God's people or portion in Egypt (10:26; Romans 12:1).
- The enemy urges a divided obedience through Pharaoh's four bargains; God is not honored by a partial surrender (10:11, 24; Exodus 8:25, 28).
Questions for Reflection
- God asked, "How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself?" Is there a place where pride is keeping you from bowing to God?
- Pharaoh wanted only "this death" taken away. Do you seek God for cleansing from sin, or only relief from its consequences?
- Moses would leave "not an hoof" behind. What part of your life are you still trying to keep back in Egypt?
References & Sources
Scripture is quoted from the King James Version (KJV). The plague of darkness striking Egypt's sun-god Ra reflects the plagues as judgments on Egypt's gods (Exodus 12:12), and Pharaoh's four offers of partial obedience are drawn straight from the text of chapters 8 through 10, as can be checked in any Bible. Supporting passages are listed so every claim can be verified in its own setting. If anything here does not look right, a verse, a reference, or a wording, please tell us at info@FruitBearers.net. Thank you for helping us keep Bible Learning error free.
- The call to humble himself and the first compromise: Exodus 10:1-11; James 4:6, 10; 2 Chronicles 7:14.
- The locusts and Pharaoh's hollow confession: Exodus 10:12-20; Psalm 51:4.
- The darkness and Israel's light: Exodus 10:21-23; 2 Corinthians 4:6; John 8:12; 1 Peter 2:9.
- Not a hoof left behind, the whole surrender: Exodus 10:24-29; Romans 12:1; Exodus 8:25, 28.