Exodus 10:23

KJV

They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

KJV (with Strong's)

They saw {H7200} not one {H376} another {H251}, neither rose {H6965} any {H376} from his place for three {H7969} days {H3117}: but all the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} had light {H216} in their dwellings {H4186}.

Complete Jewish Bible

People couldn't see each other, and no one went anywhere for three days. But all the people of Isra'el had light in their homes.

Berean Standard Bible

No one could see anyone else, and for three days no one left his place. Yet all the Israelites had light in their dwellings.

American Standard Version

they saw not one another, neither rose any one from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 10:23 powerfully contrasts the oppressive, paralyzing darkness that engulfed Egypt for three days with the miraculous, divine light enjoyed by the Israelites in their dwellings, serving as a vivid demonstration of God's sovereign power, His judgment upon Pharaoh and Egypt's false gods, and His protective distinction of His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
The verse is found within the narrative of the ninth of ten plagues God unleashed upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the enslaved Israelites. Immediately preceding [Exodus 10:21](/exodus/10-21 "Moses stretches out his hand for the plague of darkness") describes Moses stretching his hand towards heaven, bringing about a "thick darkness" over Egypt. [Exodus 10:22](/exodus/10-22 "The darkness covers Egypt for three days") further elaborates on the three-day duration and the inability of Egyptians to see or move. Following this verse, [Exodus 10:24](/exodus/10-24 "Pharaoh calls Moses after the darkness") records Pharaoh's desperate call for Moses, offering a new compromise, which Moses rejects, setting the stage for the climactic tenth plague. Historically and culturally, this plague directly challenged Ra, the prominent Egyptian sun god, and other celestial deities, demonstrating the absolute supremacy of Yahweh over all creation and false gods. The darkness was not merely an inconvenience but a profound theological assault on the very source of light and life in Egyptian cosmology, plunging the land into a state of chaos and immobility, while simultaneously highlighting God's covenantal faithfulness to Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 10:23 presents a stark, divinely orchestrated dichotomy: judgment for Egypt and provision for Israel.

* **Key Word Analysis:**
* **Darkness** (חֹשֶׁךְ - _choshek_): While not explicitly in this verse, the _choshek_ from the preceding verses is implied. It denotes a profound, palpable gloom—a darkness so dense it could be felt and that actively prevented sight and movement. It was not merely the absence of light but an oppressive, active presence of obscurity.
* **Light** (אוֹר - _'or_): This term signifies not just the absence of darkness, but a positive, active, and divinely provided illumination. It points to God's direct intervention to sustain His people, setting them apart.
* **Saw** (רָאָה - _ra'ah_): The use of this verb emphasizes the complete sensory deprivation experienced by the Egyptians. Their inability to "see one another" underscores the isolating and disorienting nature of the plague, rendering normal life impossible.

* **Verse Breakdown:**
* "They saw not one another": This clause highlights the immediate and profound impact of the darkness on the Egyptians. It implies a complete disruption of social interaction and daily function, as basic visibility was lost.
* "neither rose any from his place for three days": This phrase emphasizes the paralyzing effect of the darkness. The inability to "rise from his place" suggests a complete cessation of activity, a forced immobilization that lasted for an extended period, signifying utter helplessness and divine judgment.
* "but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings": This concluding clause offers a striking contrast. While Egypt was plunged into an immobilizing gloom, Israel experienced supernatural, localized illumination. This was not a natural phenomenon but a direct, miraculous provision, underscoring God's protective care and distinction for His covenant people.

* **Literary Devices:**
* **Juxtaposition/Antithesis:** The most prominent device is the sharp contrast between "darkness" in Egypt and "light" in Israel, emphasizing God's ability to differentiate between peoples and His control over creation.
* **Hyperbole:** The phrase "neither rose any from his place" might contain an element of hyperbole to emphasize the extreme severity and immobilizing nature of the darkness.
* **Symbolism:** Darkness symbolizes judgment, chaos, and the absence of divine favor, while light symbolizes divine presence, favor, guidance, and life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse reveals profound theological truths about God's character and His relationship with humanity. It unequivocally demonstrates God's **sovereignty over creation**, as He commands the very elements of light and darkness, proving His authority over all natural forces and, by extension, all false deities. It highlights God's **justice and judgment** against idolatry and oppression, as the darkness served as a severe punishment for Egypt's hardened heart and their worship of the sun god Ra. Most significantly, it showcases God's **covenantal faithfulness and protective care** for His people, Israel, setting them apart from the world in a miraculous display of divine distinction. This theme of God distinguishing between the righteous and the wicked is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, assuring believers of His unique relationship with them.

* [Malachi 3:18](/malachi/3-18 "God's distinction between the righteous and the wicked")
* [Psalm 105:28](/psalm/105-28 "God sent darkness and they did not rebel against his words")
* [John 1:5](/john/1-5 "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 10:23 offers timeless lessons for believers navigating a world often shrouded in various forms of darkness—spiritual, emotional, or societal. Just as God provided physical light for His people amidst Egypt's gloom, He continues to be our spiritual light, offering clarity, guidance, and hope in our darkest seasons. This verse reminds us that God's presence brings illumination even when circumstances seem overwhelming, and that His people are set apart, called to reflect His light in a world that desperately needs it. We can trust in His unwavering provision and protective care, knowing that He distinguishes His own and empowers them to live differently.

* In what areas of your life do you currently experience "darkness" (confusion, despair, uncertainty), and how can you intentionally seek God's illuminating presence there?
* How does the truth of God's divine distinction encourage you in your identity as a believer, and how might you better live as "light" in your sphere of influence?
* What practical steps can you take this week to trust more fully in God's protective care and provision, even when the "darkness" around you seems overwhelming?

### FAQ

**Was the darkness purely natural, or supernatural?**

Answer: The biblical account strongly indicates a supernatural origin. While natural phenomena like sandstorms can create temporary darkness, the description of a "thick darkness" that could be "felt" (Exodus 10:21), that lasted for three days, and crucially, that *only* affected the Egyptians while the Israelites had light in their homes, points to a miraculous, divine intervention rather than a typical natural event. Its selective nature underscores God's direct involvement.

**Why did the darkness last for three days?**

Answer: The three-day duration is significant for several reasons. The number three often symbolizes completion or divine significance in biblical narratives (e.g., Jonah in the fish, Jesus in the tomb). For the Egyptians, three days of total immobilization would have been economically devastating and psychologically terrifying, intensifying the judgment. Theologically, it gave Pharaoh ample time to reflect on God's power and his own stubbornness, yet he still refused to yield, further hardening his heart and setting the stage for the final, decisive plague.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 10:23 finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is revealed as the ultimate "Light of the World." Just as God provided physical light for Israel in Goshen, Jesus brings spiritual light to humanity, delivering those who sit in the darkness of sin and death. The darkness over Egypt foreshadows the spiritual darkness that grips humanity apart from Christ, and Jesus's coming fulfills the prophetic promise of a great light dawning on those living in the shadow of death ([Isaiah 9:2](/isaiah/9-2 "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light"); [Matthew 4:16](/matthew/4-16 "The people living in darkness have seen a great light")). Furthermore, the three hours of darkness that covered the land during Jesus's crucifixion ([Matthew 27:45](/matthew/27-45 "Darkness over the land during the crucifixion")) serves as a cosmic sign of God's judgment on sin, which Jesus bore. Yet, just as light returned after the Egyptian darkness, Jesus's resurrection shattered the power of death and darkness, bringing forth the light of new life. Through Christ, believers are transformed from "darkness to light" ([Ephesians 5:8](/ephesians/5-8 "You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord")), becoming "children of light" who reflect His glory. Ultimately, the divine light in Israel's dwellings points forward to the New Jerusalem, where there will be no more night, for the Lord God Himself, through the Lamb, will be its eternal light ([Revelation 21:23](/revelation/21-23 "The city does not need the sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp"); [Revelation 22:5](/revelation/22-5 "There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.")).

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.