Exodus 10:21

¶ 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.

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, Stretch out {H5186} thine hand {H3027} toward heaven {H8064}, that there may be darkness {H2822} over the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, even darkness {H2822} which may be felt {H4959}.

ADONAI said to Moshe, "Reach out your hand toward the sky, and there will be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness so thick it can be felt!"

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that darkness may spread over the land of Egypt—a palpable darkness.”

And Jehovah said unto Moses, Stretch out thy hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.

Commentary

Exodus 10:21 introduces the dramatic ninth plague upon Egypt, a supernatural darkness that blankets the land, further demonstrating God's immense power and His relentless pursuit of Israel's liberation from Pharaoh's bondage.

Context of Exodus 10:21

This verse marks a pivotal moment in the unfolding narrative of the plagues of Egypt. Following the devastating plague of locusts, which stripped the land bare, God instructs Moses to initiate the penultimate judgment. Pharaoh's heart remains stubbornly hardened, despite witnessing overwhelming divine power. This plague of darkness directly challenges the very foundation of Egyptian religion, particularly the supreme sun god, Ra, and other deities associated with light and prosperity, underscoring the Lord's absolute supremacy over all false gods.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Power: The command for Moses to simply "stretch out thine hand toward heaven" and the immediate, profound response highlights God's absolute control over creation, including the fundamental elements of light and darkness. This echoes God's power over creation in Genesis 1:3.
  • Judgment on Idolatry: The targeted nature of this plague against the sun god Ra, the source of life and light in Egyptian belief, served as a direct affront to their pantheon. It exposed the impotence of their deities and affirmed the Lord's unique status as the one true God.
  • Distinction and Protection: As described in Exodus 10:23, the land of Goshen, where the Israelites resided, remained untouched by this oppressive gloom. This consistent pattern throughout the plagues underscored God's covenantal faithfulness and His ability to protect His chosen people amidst judgment.
  • Pharaoh's Hardened Heart: Even after experiencing such a terrifying and debilitating plague, Pharaoh's defiance persisted, setting the stage for the final, most devastating judgment. This illustrates the spiritual blindness that results from a refusal to acknowledge God's authority, as seen in God hardening Pharaoh's heart.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "darkness [which] may be felt" translates the Hebrew "חֹשֶׁךְ אֲפֵלָה יָמֵשׁ" (choshek aphelah yamesh). The word choshek (darkness) is intensified by aphelah, denoting a thick, palpable gloom or obscurity. The crucial element is yamesh, which literally means "to grope" or "to feel/touch." This suggests the darkness was not merely the absence of light, but a physical, oppressive presence—perhaps a thick, suffocating mist or an almost tangible pall that disoriented and terrified the Egyptians. It was a darkness so profound that one could not see, and perhaps even felt its weight or density, making movement and daily life impossible.

Significance and Application

The ninth plague serves as a powerful reminder of God's absolute power over all creation and His unwavering commitment to justice. For believers, it highlights God's ability to provide protection and light even in the darkest circumstances, much like the Israelites in Goshen. It also warns against the dangers of a hardened heart, which resists divine truth and leads to increasing spiritual blindness and judgment. Ultimately, this plague points to a God who demands recognition and will act decisively to liberate His people and establish His glory, reminding us that true light comes only from Him, as illuminated in Jesus' declaration as the Light of the World.

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

  • 2 Peter 2:17

    These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

  • 2 Peter 2:4

    For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

  • Jude 1:6

    And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

  • Revelation 16:10

    And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

  • Revelation 16:11

    And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

  • Luke 23:44

    ¶ And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

  • Psalms 105:28

    He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.
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