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 vividly portrays the dramatic and divinely orchestrated contrast between the oppressive, immobilizing darkness that engulfed Egypt for three days and the miraculous, protective light enjoyed by the Israelites in their dwellings. This stark dichotomy serves as a powerful demonstration of God's absolute sovereignty over creation, His righteous judgment against Pharaoh and Egypt's idolatry, and His unwavering commitment to distinguish and preserve His covenant people amidst widespread affliction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the climactic narrative of the plagues, specifically the ninth plague, the plague of darkness. Immediately preceding [Exodus 10:21](/exodus/10-21 "Moses stretches out his hand for the plague of darkness") records Moses's obedient act of stretching his hand toward heaven, which initiates the "thick darkness" over Egypt. [Exodus 10:22](/exodus/10-22 "The darkness covers Egypt for three days") further details the severity and duration of this darkness, emphasizing that "they saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days." Our verse provides the crucial contrast, highlighting God's selective judgment and protection. Following this profound display of divine power, [Exodus 10:24](/exodus/10-24 "Pharaoh calls Moses after the darkness") depicts Pharaoh's desperate, yet ultimately futile, attempt to negotiate with Moses, setting the stage for the tenth and final plague, the death of the firstborn. The narrative flow meticulously builds the tension, demonstrating Pharaoh's increasing stubbornness against God's escalating judgments.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The plague of darkness was not merely a natural phenomenon but a direct theological assault on the very foundation of Egyptian cosmology and religion. Egypt revered numerous deities associated with light and the sun, most notably Ra (Re), the sun god, who was considered the king of the gods and the source of all life and light. Other related deities included Atum, Amun-Ra, and Horus. By plunging Egypt into an impenetrable, palpable darkness for three days, Yahweh unequivocally demonstrated His absolute supremacy over Ra and all other Egyptian gods, proving that He alone controls the cosmos and the sources of light and life. This act of divine judgment humiliated Pharaoh, who was considered a divine manifestation of Ra, and exposed the impotence of Egypt's entire pantheon. The immobility and isolation caused by the darkness would have been psychologically terrifying and economically devastating, disrupting all daily life and religious rituals, reinforcing the message of Yahweh's unparalleled power.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 10:23 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Power**, demonstrating His absolute control over creation and His ability to manipulate natural elements for His divine purposes. Secondly, it highlights **God's Judgment against Idolatry and Oppression**, as the plague directly confronts the false gods of Egypt and punishes Pharaoh's hardened heart and his oppression of Israel. This aligns with the broader narrative of God's justice seen in passages like [Exodus 7:5](/exodus/7-5 "The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord"). Thirdly, and most significantly for Israel, it emphasizes **God's Covenantal Faithfulness and Divine Distinction**. The miraculous provision of light in Goshen, where the Israelites resided, serves as a tangible sign of God's unique relationship with His chosen people, setting them apart from the Egyptians. This theme of divine distinction is central to God's covenant with Abraham and is reiterated throughout the exodus narrative, assuring Israel of God's protective care even amidst widespread judgment, as seen in [Exodus 8:22](/exodus/8-22 "I will make a distinction between my people and your people").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 10:23 presents a stark, divinely orchestrated dichotomy: judgment for Egypt and miraculous provision for Israel, underscoring God's absolute power and selective care.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Saw (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_):** From H7200, this primitive root means "to see, literally or figuratively." In this context, it emphasizes the complete sensory deprivation experienced by the Egyptians. Their inability to "see one another" underscores the isolating, disorienting, and paralyzing nature of the darkness, rendering normal life and social interaction impossible. It highlights a fundamental human function being divinely revoked.
* **Light (Hebrew, _ʼôwr'_):** From H216, this term signifies "illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)." Here, it denotes not merely the absence of darkness but a positive, active, and divinely provided illumination. This was a supernatural light, a direct intervention by God to sustain His people, setting them apart and demonstrating His unique favor.
* **Dwellings (Hebrew, _môwshâb'_):** From H4186, this word means "a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population." The use of "dwellings" emphasizes the localized and personal nature of God's provision. While the entire land of Egypt was plunged into gloom, the homes where the Israelites resided were supernaturally illuminated, signifying God's intimate and protective presence with His people in their very living spaces.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They saw not one another":** This initial clause immediately establishes the profound and pervasive impact of the darkness on the Egyptians. It signifies a complete breakdown of normal visual perception and social interaction, leading to isolation and disorientation. This was not merely dimness, but an impenetrable obscurity that rendered basic human connection impossible.
* **"neither rose any from his place for three days":** This phrase emphasizes the paralyzing and immobilizing effect of the darkness. The inability to "rise from his place" suggests a complete cessation of all activity—no work, no travel, no daily routines. This forced immobility, lasting for an extended period of three days, signifies utter helplessness and serves as a severe form of divine judgment, disrupting the very fabric of Egyptian society.
* **"but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings":** This concluding clause offers a striking and miraculous 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, His distinguishing grace, and His unwavering presence with His covenant people, even amidst the most severe judgments on their oppressors.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in Exodus 10:23 is **Juxtaposition** or **Antithesis**, which creates a sharp and dramatic contrast between the experience of the Egyptians and the Israelites. The "darkness" over Egypt is set directly against the "light" in Israel's dwellings, powerfully emphasizing God's ability to differentiate between peoples and His absolute control over creation. The phrase "neither rose any from his place" may contain an element of **Hyperbole** to underscore the extreme severity and immobilizing nature of the darkness, highlighting the complete paralysis it inflicted. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is deeply embedded in the verse: darkness symbolizes divine judgment, chaos, spiritual blindness, and the absence of divine favor, while light symbolizes divine presence, favor, guidance, life, and the unique relationship God has with His chosen people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 10:23 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 absolute 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, exposing the impotence of their pantheon. 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 and His unwavering commitment to His promises.

* [Malachi 3:18](/malachi/3-18 "God's Distinction Between Righteous and Wicked")
* [Psalm 105:28](/psalm/105-28 "God Sent Darkness")
* [John 1:5](/john/1-5 "The Light Shines in the Darkness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 10:23 offers timeless lessons for believers navigating a world often shrouded in various forms of darkness—spiritual confusion, emotional despair, societal brokenness, or moral decay. Just as God miraculously provided physical light for His people amidst Egypt's palpable gloom, He continues to be our spiritual light, offering clarity, guidance, and unwavering 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, not by their own strength, but by His indwelling Spirit. This divine distinction is not for our pride, but for His glory and for the world's witness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **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, pointing others to Christ?**
* **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 or pervasive?**

### FAQ

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

Answer: The biblical account strongly indicates a supernatural origin. While natural phenomena like severe sandstorms can create temporary darkness, the description of a "thick darkness" that could be "felt" ([Exodus 10:21](/exodus/10-21 "Moses stretches out his hand for the plague of darkness")), 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, distinguishing between two distinct geographical areas within a relatively small region, underscores God's direct and targeted involvement, demonstrating His sovereignty over creation and His specific judgment.

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

Answer: The three-day duration is significant for several reasons. The number three often symbolizes completion, divine significance, or a period of intense trial followed by deliverance 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, psychologically terrifying, and spiritually humiliating, intensifying the judgment against their sun god, Ra. 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. It was a prolonged, inescapable demonstration of Yahweh's absolute authority.

### 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 oppressive darkness over Egypt foreshadows the spiritual darkness that grips humanity apart from Christ, a darkness of ignorance, sin, and separation from God. 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 on the cross. 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 and eternal hope. 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.

Cross-References

Exodus 8:22

And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms [of flies] shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I [am] the LORD in the midst of the earth.

Exodus 9:4

And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all [that is] the children's of Israel.

Isaiah 42:16

And I will bring the blind by a way [that] they knew not; I will lead them in paths [that] they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

1 Peter 2:9

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Exodus 14:20

And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness [to them], but it gave light by night [to these]: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

Isaiah 60:1

¶ Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

Isaiah 60:3

And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.