Exodus 10:23 - The Ninth Plague: Darkness
No one could see anyone else
This 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. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt who refused to let the Israelites go, leading to the plagues.
2. Moses
The prophet and leader of the Israelites, who conveyed God's commands to Pharaoh.
3. Egypt
The land where the Israelites were enslaved and where the plagues occurred.
4. Israelites
The descendants of Jacob, living in Egypt, who were spared from the plague of darkness.
5. Plague of Darkness
The ninth plague sent by God upon Egypt, causing complete darkness for three days.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty
The plague of darkness demonstrates God's absolute control over creation. He can bring light or darkness according to His will.
Protection of God's People
The Israelites had light in their dwellings, showing God's provision and protection for His people even in the midst of judgment.
Spiritual Light
Just 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 Mercy
The 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 Deliverance
The plagues, including the darkness, were a call to Pharaoh to obey God. Similarly, God calls us to obedience, promising deliverance from spiritual bondage.
Lists and Questions
Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 10What natural or astronomical phenomenon could explain the dense darkness (Exodus 10:21–23) that affected only Egypt? What were the Ten Plagues of Egypt in the Bible?How could the sun “stand still” in Joshua 10:13 without catastrophic effects on Earth?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?
(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
No
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
one
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person
could see
רָא֞וּ (rā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7200: To see
each other,
אָחִ֗יו (’ā·ḥîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )
and for three
שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת (šə·lō·šeṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice
days
יָמִ֑ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day
no one
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
left
קָ֛מוּ (qā·mū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand
his place.
מִתַּחְתָּ֖יו (mit·taḥ·tāw)
Preposition-m | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of
Yet all
וּֽלְכָל־ (ū·lə·ḵāl-)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every
the Israelites
בְּנֵ֧י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son
had
הָ֥יָה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be
light
א֖וֹר (’ō·wr)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 216: Illumination, luminary
in 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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Exodus 10:23 Catholic BibleOT Law: Exodus 10:23 They didn't see one another neither did (Exo. Ex)