Exodus 10:17

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.

Now therefore forgive {H5375}, I pray thee, my sin {H2403} only this once {H6471}, and intreat {H6279} the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}, that he may take away {H5493} from me this death {H4194} only.

Now, therefore, please forgive my sin just this once; and intercede with ADONAI your God, so that he will at least take away from me this deadly plague!"

Now please forgive my sin once more and appeal to the LORD your God, that He may remove this death from me.โ€

Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat Jehovah your God, that he may take away from me this death only.

Commentary

Context of Exodus 10:17

Exodus 10:17 is spoken by Pharaoh to Moses and Aaron during the seventh of the ten plagues brought upon Egypt by the LORD. Specifically, it follows the devastating plague of locusts, which consumed every green thing left after the preceding plague of hail. Pharaoh, having stubbornly refused to let the Israelites go, is now facing the complete ruin of his land and its resources. This verse captures a moment of extreme duress for Pharaoh, where his confession of "sin" is a desperate plea for relief rather than a genuine change of heart. The narrative throughout Exodus details Pharaoh's repeated defiance and the LORD's escalating judgments, demonstrating God's sovereign power over Pharaoh and all of Egypt's gods.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Pharaoh's Superficial Repentance: Pharaoh's plea, "forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once," reveals a confession born of fear and temporary crisis, not true remorse or a desire to submit to God's will. His request to "take away from me this death only" focuses solely on the immediate removal of suffering, not on changing the behavior that caused it. This highlights the contrast between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow that leads to true repentance.
  • The Power of God's Judgment: Each plague, including the locusts, serves as a powerful demonstration of the LORD's absolute authority over creation and His ability to execute judgment upon those who defy Him. Pharaoh's acknowledgment of "my sin" implicitly recognizes that the plagues are divine retribution for his actions.
  • Moses' Role as Intercessor: Pharaohโ€™s request for Moses to "intreat the LORD your God" underscores Moses' unique position as God's chosen messenger and intercessor. Despite his own defiance, Pharaoh recognizes that Moses has direct access to the divine power that is afflicting his nation. Moses frequently acted as a mediator between God and Pharaoh, as seen in earlier pleas for relief from the plagues.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "my sin" in Hebrew is chatta'ti (ื—ึทื˜ึธึผืืชึดื™). While it literally means "my sin," the context of Pharaoh's character and subsequent actions suggests it functions more as an acknowledgment of wrongdoing for the immediate purpose of relief, rather than a deep, heart-felt contrition leading to genuine change. The phrase "this death" (hammawet hazzeh) refers to the devastating, life-threatening impact of the locust plague on Egypt's food supply and economy, which felt like a death blow to the nation's ability to sustain itself.

Practical Application

Exodus 10:17 serves as a powerful reminder about the nature of repentance. True repentance involves not just acknowledging wrongdoing and seeking relief from consequences, but a fundamental change of heart and a turning away from sin towards God's will. Pharaoh's example warns against superficial confessions driven by temporary suffering, which ultimately fail to bring lasting peace or reconciliation. It encourages us to examine our own hearts and ensure that our pleas for forgiveness are rooted in genuine humility and a desire to submit to God's authority, rather than merely escaping immediate discomfort. God's patience is great, but His justice is unwavering, and He desires a true relationship based on obedience and love, not just a transactional exchange to avoid punishment.

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

Cross-References

  • Exodus 8:8 (6 votes)

    Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.

  • Exodus 9:28 (4 votes)

    Intreat the LORD (for [it is] enough) that there be no [more] mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.

  • 1 Kings 13:6 (3 votes)

    And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as [it was] before.

  • Romans 15:30 (2 votes)

    ยถ Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in [your] prayers to God for me;

  • 2 Kings 4:40 (2 votes)

    So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O [thou] man of God, [there is] death in the pot. And they could not eat [thereof].

  • Isaiah 26:16 (2 votes)

    LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer [when] thy chastening [was] upon them.

  • 1 Samuel 15:25 (2 votes)

    Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.