Exodus 10:16

KJV

Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Pharaoh {H6547} called {H7121} for Moses {H4872} and Aaron {H175} in haste {H4116}; and he said {H559}, I have sinned {H2398} against the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}, and against you.

Complete Jewish Bible

Pharaoh hurried to summon Moshe and Aharon and said, "I have sinned against ADONAI your God and against you.

Berean Standard Bible

Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you.

American Standard Version

Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against Jehovah your God, and against you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 10:16 captures Pharaoh's urgent, yet insincere, confession of sin to Moses and Aaron under the crushing pressure of the locust plague, revealing his desperate desire for relief rather than genuine repentance, and further highlighting Yahweh's escalating power and judgment against his stubborn defiance.

### CONTEXT
**Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the devastating [locust plague](/exodus/10-14 "The devastating locust plague in Exodus 10:14"), which consumed all remaining vegetation and plunged Egypt into darkness, threatening widespread famine. Pharaoh's desperate summons "in haste" contrasts sharply with his previous, often conditional, and quickly retracted confessions after earlier plagues, such as the [hail](/exodus/9-27 "Pharaoh's confession after the hail plague in Exodus 9:27"). The narrative arc of the plagues consistently demonstrates Pharaoh's escalating defiance met by God's intensifying judgments, leading inexorably towards the climactic tenth plague and the [Exodus](/exodus/12 "The Passover and Exodus").

**Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh was considered a divine king, a living god, and the embodiment of cosmic order (Ma'at). For such a ruler to confess sin, especially to foreign representatives like Moses and Aaron, was an extraordinary and deeply humiliating act. This confession, however, was not born of a genuine change of heart but of pragmatic desperation, characteristic of a ruler seeking to restore order and alleviate suffering for his people and himself. The concept of "hardening of heart" (seen earlier in [Exodus 7:3](/exodus/7-3 "God's purpose to harden Pharaoh's heart in Exodus 7:3")) is crucial; it reflects both Pharaoh's innate stubbornness and God's sovereign design to display His power and glory to Egypt and Israel. Pharaoh's confession, while verbal, lacks the true internal transformation expected of genuine repentance in the ancient Near East, where a change of heart often involved a public renunciation of past actions and a commitment to new behavior.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 10:16 records a pivotal, though ultimately hollow, moment in the divine-human confrontation: "Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you."

**Key Word Analysis:**
* **_chata'_ (חָטָא) - "sinned":** This Hebrew verb means "to miss the mark," "to go astray," or "to do wrong." While it can denote a moral transgression, as Pharaoh uses it here, it often functions in a broader sense of failing to meet an obligation or violating a standard. Pharaoh acknowledges a violation, but his subsequent actions reveal that this confession is primarily an admission of the *consequences* of his actions rather than a deep, internal recognition of moral guilt or a desire to align with God's will. It's a confession of culpability under duress.
* **_maher_ (מַהֵר) - "in haste":** This adverb emphasizes the extreme urgency and desperation of Pharaoh's summons. The locust plague was not merely an inconvenience but an existential threat, consuming the very basis of Egypt's food supply. Pharaoh's "haste" underscores the immediate, overwhelming pressure he felt, highlighting that his confession was a reactive measure to alleviate suffering, not a proactive turning towards God.
* "the LORD *your* God": Pharaoh's phrasing is highly significant. He acknowledges Yahweh's power and authority over the plague, but he still maintains a critical distinction: Yahweh is *Moses's and Aaron's* God, not *his* own. This subtle but crucial linguistic choice reveals his continued resistance to fully submit to Yahweh's sovereignty and embrace Him as the one true God. It's an acknowledgment of power, not an act of worship or allegiance.

**Verse Breakdown:**
* "Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste": The immediate and urgent summons highlights the severity of the locust plague's impact. Pharaoh, the proud ruler, is forced by divine judgment to seek out those he previously scorned, demonstrating God's absolute control.
* "and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you": This is the first time Pharaoh explicitly names "the LORD" (Yahweh) and acknowledges his sin against Him. While a significant verbal admission, the context suggests it is a strategic maneuver to end the plague rather than a genuine change of heart. His use of "your God" maintains a theological distance. Pharaoh also acknowledges wronging Moses and Aaron, perhaps recognizing his repeated deception and refusal to heed their warnings. This personal apology, however, is secondary to his primary concern of ending the plague, as evidenced by his subsequent actions.

**Literary Devices:** The narrative employs **dramatic irony** throughout the plague cycle. The audience knows that Pharaoh's heart is hardened and that his confessions are temporary, while Pharaoh himself seems to genuinely believe that each concession will end the suffering permanently. The escalating severity of the plagues also serves as a powerful **climax** building towards the ultimate confrontation and the display of God's power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates several core theological truths. Firstly, it underscores the **sovereignty and irresistible power of Yahweh** over all creation, even over the most powerful human ruler and the gods of Egypt. Pharaoh's forced confession demonstrates that no human will can ultimately thwart God's purposes. Secondly, it highlights the **nature of divine judgment**, which is not arbitrary but a righteous response to persistent rebellion and sin. Each plague serves as a progressive revelation of God's justice and an invitation to repentance, albeit one that Pharaoh consistently rejects. Finally, it provides a crucial distinction between **confession and true repentance**. Pharaoh's confession is born of duress and a desire for relief, lacking the sincere change of mind and heart that characterizes genuine turning to God.

This theme of God's power over rulers and the necessity of true repentance resonates throughout the biblical narrative. God's ability to humble the proud is a recurring motif ([Psalm 75:7](/psalm/75-7 "God brings down one and exalts another in Psalm 75:7")). The prophets continually called Israel to genuine repentance, not just outward acts ([Isaiah 1:16-17](/isaiah/1-16 "Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean in Isaiah 1:16-17")). The New Testament further clarifies that true repentance involves a "godly sorrow" that leads to salvation, not merely worldly sorrow that produces death ([2 Corinthians 7:10](/2_corinthians/7-10 "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation in 2 Corinthians 7:10")).

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 10:16 offers profound insights into the human heart's resistance to God and the nature of genuine spiritual transformation. Pharaoh's confession, while verbally acknowledging wrongdoing, lacked the sincere change of heart and action that characterizes true repentance. For us today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that:

* **Confession is not always repentance:** We can admit our wrongs under pressure, out of fear of consequences, or simply to alleviate discomfort, without truly turning from our sin or committing to God's ways. True repentance involves a change of mind, heart, and direction, leading to a desire to please God and align with His will.
* **God's warnings demand a genuine response:** God often uses circumstances, consequences, or the conviction of the Holy Spirit to draw us to Himself. It is crucial to respond to these promptings with humility and a willingness to change, rather than hardening our hearts like Pharaoh, which only leads to greater suffering.
* **The danger of a hardened heart:** Pharaoh's repeated delays and stubbornness led to increasingly severe consequences for himself and his people. Procrastinating obedience to God and resisting His call can have devastating and lasting effects on our lives and the lives of those around us.

**Reflection Questions:**
* What is the difference between confessing a wrong and truly repenting of it in your own life?
* How do you tend to respond when God allows difficult circumstances into your life—with genuine humility and a desire to change, or with a temporary, self-serving confession?
* In what areas of your life might you be procrastinating obedience to God, and what might be the potential consequences of such delay?

### FAQ
**Why did Pharaoh confess if he wasn't truly repentant?**

Answer: Pharaoh's confession was primarily a pragmatic response to overwhelming pressure and suffering, not a spiritual transformation. He sought relief from the immediate plague, not reconciliation with God. His confession was a desperate attempt to manipulate the situation and regain control, a common human tendency when faced with dire consequences. It highlights the difference between acknowledging a problem and genuinely changing one's heart and direction.

**Does God "harden" people's hearts, or do people harden their own hearts?**

Answer: The biblical text presents both aspects. Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his own heart through defiance and resistance to God's commands ([Exodus 8:15](/exodus/8-15 "Pharaoh hardened his heart in Exodus 8:15")). However, the text also states that God hardened Pharaoh's heart ([Exodus 7:3](/exodus/7-3 "God hardens Pharaoh's heart in Exodus 7:3")). This is not a contradiction but a theological paradox that affirms God's sovereignty without negating human responsibility. God's hardening often involves allowing a person's inherent stubbornness to run its course, or using their resistance to further His own redemptive purposes, ultimately demonstrating His power and glory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 10:16, with Pharaoh's insincere confession and God's escalating judgment, points powerfully to the person and work of Jesus Christ in several ways. Pharaoh's forced admission of sin under duress contrasts sharply with the **genuine, Spirit-wrought repentance** that Jesus calls for. Unlike Pharaoh's self-serving confession, the repentance preached by John the Baptist ([Matthew 3:2](/matthew/3-2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near in Matthew 3:2")) and Jesus ([Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Repent and believe the good news in Mark 1:15")) is a radical turning from sin *to God*, motivated by faith and leading to new life.

Furthermore, Pharaoh's acknowledgment of "the LORD *your* God" highlights his separation from Yahweh. In Christ, this barrier is broken down. Jesus, through His atoning death and resurrection, provides the means for all people—Jew and Gentile—to come into a true relationship with God, making Him "our God" rather than "your God" ([Ephesians 2:13-18](/ephesians/2-13 "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ in Ephesians 2:13")). Pharaoh's resistance to God's authority ultimately led to his downfall, whereas Jesus, the perfect obedient Son, submitted entirely to the Father's will, even to death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross in Philippians 2:8")), thereby conquering sin and death and offering true freedom from the judgment that Pharaoh faced. Christ's victory over all powers and authorities ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "He disarmed the powers and authorities and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross in Colossians 2:15")) is the ultimate fulfillment of God's demonstration of power over Pharaoh.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.