Exodus 10:4

KJV

Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast:

KJV (with Strong's)

Else {H3588}, if thou refuse {H3986} to let my people {H5971} go {H7971}, behold, to morrow {H4279} will I bring {H935} the locusts {H697} into thy coast {H1366}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Otherwise, if you refuse to let my people go, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory.

Berean Standard Bible

But if you refuse to let My people go, I will bring locusts into your territory tomorrow.

American Standard Version

Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to-morrow will I bring locusts into thy border:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 10:4 delivers God's precise and unyielding warning to Pharaoh through Moses: continued refusal to release the Israelites will result in an unprecedented and devastating plague of locusts descending upon Egypt "to morrow," consuming every remaining green thing left by the hail. This declaration underscores God's unwavering resolve, Pharaoh's escalating defiance, and the inevitable, comprehensive consequences of resisting divine will, setting the stage for one of the most destructive judgments yet.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 10:4 is strategically positioned within the escalating narrative of the ten plagues, following seven prior judgments that have progressively devastated Egypt and exposed the impotence of its gods. Immediately preceding this verse, Moses and Aaron have just confronted Pharaoh after the severe hail plague, demanding the full release of God's people. Pharaoh, though momentarily shaken by the hail's severity, still attempts to negotiate, offering to let only the men go, a partial concession Moses vehemently rejects, insisting on the departure of all, with their flocks and herds ([Exodus 10:1-3](/exodus/10-1-3 "Moses confronts Pharaoh again after the hail")). This verse, therefore, is God's direct, non-negotiable response to Pharaoh's continued stubbornness and his attempts to dictate terms to the Almighty. Following this explicit warning, [Exodus 10:5-6](/exodus/10-5-6 "The description of the impending locust plague") vividly describes the unprecedented scale and destructive power of the coming locust plague, and [Exodus 10:7-11](/exodus/10-7-11 "Pharaoh's officials urge him to relent") shows Pharaoh's exasperated officials urging him to relent, only for Pharaoh to again refuse the full release, leading to the plague's immediate onset.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Locust plagues were a known, terrifying natural phenomenon in the ancient Near East, capable of wiping out entire harvests and causing widespread famine. Ancient Egyptian agriculture, heavily reliant on the Nile's annual inundation and the subsequent fertile land, would have been particularly vulnerable to such a catastrophe. What distinguished this plague, as with all the Exodus plagues, was its divine orchestration: its precise timing ("to morrow"), its unprecedented scale (covering the entire land), its specific target (consuming what the hail had left, thus ensuring total agricultural ruin), and its precise beginning and end at God's command. The phrase "into thy coast" (KJV) or "within your borders" (ESV) signifies that the plague would affect the entire territory of Egypt, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's judgment and His absolute sovereignty over all creation, including the natural world that the Egyptians often deified. This plague would have been particularly devastating as it targeted the very food supply that remained after the prior plagues, striking at the heart of Egypt's economic and social stability and demonstrating the futility of relying on their own gods for provision.

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 10:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus. Foremost is the theme of **God's absolute sovereignty** over creation and human rulers, demonstrating His power to command natural forces to execute His will against even the most powerful empire. It further highlights the theme of **divine judgment against sin and oppression**, as Pharaoh's persistent refusal to release God's people incurs increasingly severe consequences. This verse also underscores **Pharaoh's hardened heart** and the escalating nature of his rebellion against God's clear commands, a central motif throughout the plague narrative that ultimately serves to magnify God's glory ([Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "God's purpose in raising up Pharaoh")). Finally, it reinforces God's **covenant faithfulness** to His people, Israel, as He systematically dismantles the power of their oppressor to fulfill His promise of liberation and lead them to the promised land ([Exodus 6:6-8](/exodus/6-6-8 "God's covenant promise to deliver Israel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 10:4 delivers a potent message through its concise language, revealing God's character and Pharaoh's obstinacy.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Locusts (Hebrew, _ʼarbeh'_):** This term (H697) refers specifically to the winged, swarming locust, known for its destructive capacity. Derived from a root meaning "to be many" or "to multiply," *ʼarbeh* denotes a creature that appears in vast numbers, devouring all vegetation and leaving nothing behind. The emphasis here is not just on an insect infestation but on a complete agricultural desolation, targeting the very sustenance of Egypt. This plague would consume what the previous hail plague had spared, ensuring total ruin and demonstrating God's comprehensive judgment.
* **To morrow (Hebrew, _mâchâr'_):** This seemingly simple phrase (H4279) highlights God's precision, patience, and purpose. Properly meaning "deferred" or "the morrow," its use here signifies a forewarned judgment, not an immediate, impulsive act. This specific timing gives Pharaoh one last, clear opportunity to repent and obey, underscoring God's justice and His desire for humanity to choose obedience, even in the face of impending judgment. It removes any doubt that the plague is a direct, deliberate consequence of Pharaoh's refusal, emphasizing God's control over time and events.
* **Refuse (Hebrew, _mâʼên'_):** The Hebrew verb used here (H3986) denotes a strong, persistent unwillingness or obstinacy. It's not a mere hesitation but an active, determined rejection of God's command. This word encapsulates Pharaoh's hardened heart, a recurring theme throughout the Exodus narrative, emphasizing his active choice to defy the Almighty despite overwhelming evidence of divine power and the suffering of his own people. It highlights the moral culpability of Pharaoh in the face of God's clear will.

#### Verse Breakdown
The verse can be broken down into a clear conditional statement and its severe consequence:

* **"Else, if thou refuse to let my people go,"**: This opening clause lays bare Pharaoh's continued defiance. The "Else" (or "But if," from H3588 _kîy_) directly links the impending judgment to Pharaoh's persistent refusal (H3986 _mâʼên_). It highlights that the choice, and thus the responsibility for the coming disaster, rests squarely with the Egyptian ruler. Despite seven previous plagues and direct divine commands, Pharaoh remains unyielding in his grip on God's chosen people (H5971 _ʻam_). This clause emphasizes the moral culpability of Pharaoh's free will in resisting God's explicit demand (H7971 _shâlach_).
* **"behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts"**: This is God's direct, authoritative declaration. The "behold" (הִנֵּה, _hinneh_) draws immediate attention to the certainty and immediacy of the coming event. God is the active agent ("I will bring," from H935 _bôwʼ_), demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over creation and His ability to command natural forces (H697 _ʼarbeh_) to execute His will. The specific timing of "to morrow" (H4279 _mâchâr_) emphasizes the deliberateness and precision of divine judgment, allowing no room for Pharaoh to claim ignorance or surprise.
* **"into thy coast:"**: This final phrase specifies the comprehensive scope of the judgment. "Thy coast" (H1366 _gᵉbûwl_) refers to the entire territory or borders of Egypt. This indicates that the plague would not be localized but would sweep across the entire land, affecting every region and leaving no part of Egypt untouched by the devastation. It underscores the comprehensive nature of God's power and the inescapable reach of His judgment, demonstrating that no part of Pharaoh's domain is outside God's control.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 10:4 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is the **cause-and-effect structure**, directly linking Pharaoh's obstinate refusal to God's impending judgment, thereby emphasizing divine justice and human accountability. The use of **direct address** ("thou") creates a sense of personal confrontation between God (speaking through Moses) and Pharaoh, highlighting the high stakes of this divine-human conflict. The phrase "behold, to morrow" functions as a powerful **declarative statement**, underscoring God's absolute authority, the certainty of His word, and His control over time. Furthermore, this verse is part of an escalating **literary pattern** of plagues, each more severe than the last, which serves to illustrate God's persistent pursuit of His purpose and Pharaoh's deepening, self-inflicted rebellion. The vivid imagery of "locusts into thy coast" also employs **foreshadowing**, hinting at the complete devastation that is about to befall Egypt.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 10:4 reveals profound theological truths about God's nature, humanity's response, and the inevitable consequences of rebellion. It teaches us about God's **sovereignty** over all creation, demonstrating His power to command the forces of nature to achieve His purposes. He is not merely a regional deity or one among many, but the Lord of all the earth, capable of bringing comprehensive judgment upon even the most powerful human empire. This verse also highlights God's **justice** and **patience**, as He provides clear warnings and opportunities for repentance before unleashing full judgment. His declaration of "to morrow" is a testament to His desire for Pharaoh to relent, even though He knows Pharaoh's heart will remain hardened. It showcases divine long-suffering even in the face of profound human defiance.

Thematically, this verse connects to the broader biblical narrative of **divine judgment against sin and oppression** and God's unwavering **covenant faithfulness** to His people. Pharaoh's stubbornness is a prime example of the human heart's capacity for active rebellion against God, a theme echoed throughout Scripture. God's ultimate purpose is to liberate His people and demonstrate His glory, even if it requires severe and widespread judgment, proving His unmatched power to both deliver and judge.

* The theme of God's control over nature for judgment is powerfully seen in [Joel 1:4](/joel/1-4 "Joel 1:4 - Devastation by Locusts"), where a similar devastating locust plague is described as a divine instrument of judgment and a call to repentance.
* Pharaoh's hardened heart, a central theme here, is later discussed in [Romans 9:17-18](/romans/9-17-18 "Romans 9:17-18 - God's Sovereignty and Pharaoh's Hardened Heart"), where Paul uses Pharaoh as an example of God's sovereign right to show mercy or to harden hearts for His ultimate redemptive and revelatory purposes.
* God's consistent practice of warning before judgment is affirmed in [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals His Secrets to Prophets"), stating that "Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets," underscoring the divine pattern of clear communication before action.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 10:4 offers timeless lessons for contemporary believers, serving as a powerful reminder that God's warnings, whether spoken through Scripture, the prompting of conscience, or the circumstances of life, are serious and demand immediate attention. Pharaoh's escalating defiance is a profound cautionary tale against the spiritual dangers of a hardened heart—how repeated resistance to God's clear will can lead to spiritual blindness, increasing callousness, and ultimately, increasingly severe consequences. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and responsiveness to God's voice, recognizing that His ultimate purposes will prevail, regardless of human resistance. It encourages us to trust in God's absolute sovereignty, even when circumstances seem overwhelming, knowing that He is in control and works all things for His glory and the good of His people. For those who are in Christ, it is a reminder of the grace that has saved us from the judgment due to our own stubbornness, and a call to live in joyful obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be exhibiting a "Pharaoh-like" stubbornness, resisting God's clear commands or promptings from His Word or Spirit?**
* **How does God's patience with Pharaoh, even amidst escalating judgment, inform my understanding of His justice and mercy in my own life and in the world?**
* **What specific "warnings" or invitations from God (through Scripture, wise counsel, or personal experience) am I currently being challenged to heed without delay, and what steps can I take to respond in obedience?**

### FAQ
**Why did God give Pharaoh a "tomorrow" warning if He knew Pharaoh would refuse?**

Answer: God's warnings, like the "tomorrow" in Exodus 10:4, serve multiple profound purposes. Firstly, they demonstrate God's inherent justice and boundless patience; He does not act arbitrarily but gives clear notice and ample opportunity for repentance, even to the most defiant oppressors. This ensures that Pharaoh's subsequent suffering is clearly understood as a direct and just consequence of his own persistent choices, removing any pretense of ignorance or excuse. Secondly, these repeated warnings further highlight the depth of Pharaoh's profound stubbornness and the extent of his rebellion, making God's power and glory all the more evident when His judgments finally fall. Thirdly, they build the narrative tension and demonstrate God's absolute control over time and events, showcasing His ability to bring about judgments precisely as declared, thus confirming His divine authority and faithfulness to His word.

**Were the plagues just natural disasters that Moses cleverly predicted?**

Answer: While some plagues (like locusts, hail, or darkness) have natural counterparts in Egypt, the biblical account consistently emphasizes their supernatural timing, unprecedented intensity, and precise specificity as undeniable evidence of divine intervention. In Exodus 10:4, the plague is not merely a common swarm of locusts, but one explicitly "brought" by God, specifically "to morrow," and its unprecedented scale and destructive power (consuming everything left after the hail) far exceeded typical natural occurrences. Moreover, the fact that the plagues often affected Egyptians but miraculously spared Israelites, even those living in close proximity ([Exodus 8:22-23](/exodus/8-22-23 "God distinguishes between Egyptians and Israelites")), unequivocally points to their miraculous, divinely directed nature, rather than mere coincidence or a clever prediction of natural phenomena.

**What is the significance of God repeatedly hardening Pharaoh's heart throughout the Exodus narrative?**

Answer: The concept of God hardening Pharaoh's heart is a complex theological theme that underscores divine sovereignty. In many instances, Pharaoh first hardens his own heart through defiant choices, and then God confirms or intensifies that hardening as a righteous judgment. This serves several crucial purposes: it demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over human will, even in rebellion, showing that no human defiance can thwart His ultimate plan; it allows God to display His power and glory more fully through a prolonged series of judgments, so that "Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord" ([Exodus 7:5](/exodus/7-5 "God's purpose for the plagues")); and it provides the necessary context for the great redemption of Israel, showing that their deliverance was entirely God's miraculous work, not a result of Pharaoh's eventual willingness or negotiation. It also serves as a profound theological statement that even human evil and resistance can be incorporated into God's larger redemptive and revelatory plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 10:4, with its depiction of divine judgment against an oppressive ruler and the promise of ultimate deliverance for God's people, finds profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The plagues, including the devastating locusts, demonstrate God's power over all creation and His ultimate victory over forces that oppose His will. This foreshadows Christ's ultimate triumph over sin, death, and the spiritual powers of darkness, which hold humanity in a far greater bondage than Pharaoh held Israel. Jesus, as the true and ultimate Deliverer, liberates His people not from physical slavery in Egypt, but from the spiritual slavery to sin and death, declaring, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" ([John 8:34-36](/john/8-34-36 "Jesus speaks of freedom from sin")). The plagues served as a powerful demonstration of God's authority and judgment; similarly, Christ's life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate demonstration of God's power and justice, culminating in the decisive defeat of the ultimate oppressor, Satan, and his dominion ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's triumph over spiritual powers")). Just as God brought judgment upon Egypt to secure the release of His people, Christ bore the full judgment of God on the cross to secure the release and eternal redemption of all who believe. The "refusal" of Pharaoh to let God's people go is mirrored in humanity's inherent rebellion and refusal to acknowledge God's authority and repent of sin, yet in Christ, God provides the way for true freedom and reconciliation, offering a liberation far more profound and eternal than the Exodus from Egypt.

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

Revelation 9:3

And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

Proverbs 30:27

The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

Joel 2:25

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

Exodus 9:18

Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.

Exodus 11:4

¶ And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:

Exodus 11:5

And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that [is] behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

Joel 2:2

A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, [even] to the years of many generations.