Exodus 10:11

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.

Not so: go {H3212} now ye that are men {H1397}, and serve {H5647} the LORD {H3068}; for that ye did desire {H1245}. And they were driven out {H1644} from Pharaoh's {H6547} presence {H6440}.

Nothing doing! Just the men among you may go and worship ADONAI. That's what you want, isn't it?"And they were driven out of Pharaoh's presence.

No, 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.

Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve Jehovah; for that is what ye desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.

Commentary

Exodus 10:11 records a pivotal moment in the negotiations between Pharaoh and Moses, as the plagues intensify over Egypt. This verse follows Pharaoh's attempt to compromise concerning the Israelites' departure to worship the Lord.

Context

By this point in the Book of Exodus, Egypt has endured several devastating plagues, including frogs, lice, and flies. Pharaoh's servants, witnessing the destruction and feeling the pressure, urge him to let the Israelites go (Exodus 10:7). In response, Pharaoh proposes a partial concession: only the men should go to serve the LORD. Moses and Aaron firmly reject this offer, reiterating God's demand for the entire community – men, women, children, and livestock – to depart (see Exodus 10:9). Pharaoh's immediate, angry dismissal of Moses and Aaron from his presence underscores his continued resistance to God's ultimate will.

Key Themes

  • Pharaoh's Stubborn Resistance and Partial Compromise: Pharaoh's "Not so" (Hebrew: Lo ken) is a firm refusal of God's full demand. He attempts to dictate the terms of Israel's worship, demonstrating his hardened heart and desire to maintain control over the Hebrew workforce. This pattern of offering limited concessions is a recurring motif in the plague narratives.
  • God's Demand for Complete Obedience: The Lord required not just a segment of Israel, but the entire nation, with all their possessions, to leave Egypt and worship Him. This rejection of Pharaoh's partial offer highlights that God desires total surrender and devotion, not just a convenient or limited form of service.
  • The Nature of True Worship: For the Israelites, serving the LORD (Hebrew: Avod Yahweh) was a communal act involving all ages and possessions. Pharaoh's attempt to limit it to "men" alone shows his misunderstanding or deliberate distortion of genuine worship, which encompasses the whole person and community.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "Not so" (Hebrew: Lo ken) is a succinct and emphatic rejection of Pharaoh's proposal. It signifies a complete negation, meaning "it is not thus" or "this is not the way." This concise retort underscores Moses' unwavering adherence to God's explicit instructions, refusing any compromise on God's clear command.

Practical Application

Exodus 10:11 serves as a powerful reminder that God calls for full obedience and complete devotion, not half-hearted measures or compromises with worldly systems. Like Pharaoh, we may be tempted to offer God only a part of ourselves – our time, our resources, our talents – while holding back other areas. However, true spiritual freedom and genuine service to the Lord require total surrender. This verse encourages believers to resist the temptation to compromise their faith or limit their commitment when God calls for everything, as He did for the Israelites to be fully delivered from bondage and serve Him completely.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 10:28

    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.

  • Psalms 119:69

    ¶ The proud have forged a lie against me: [but] I will keep thy precepts with [my] whole heart.

  • Exodus 5:4

    And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.

  • Psalms 52:3

    Thou lovest evil more than good; [and] lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.

  • Psalms 52:4

    Thou lovest all devouring words, O [thou] deceitful tongue.
← Back