Exodus 8:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

And the LORD {H3068} spake {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, Go {H935} unto Pharaoh {H6547}, and say {H559} unto him, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Let my people {H5971} go {H7971}, that they may serve {H5647} me.

ADONAI said to Moshe, "Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, 'Here is what ADONAI says: "Let my people go, so that they can worship me.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Commentary

Context of Exodus 8:1

Exodus 8:1 introduces the second major confrontation between the LORD and Pharaoh, following the first plague where the Nile River was turned to blood. This verse marks God's direct command to Moses to reiterate the demand for Israel's release. Despite the initial sign of judgment, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, setting the stage for the subsequent series of plagues designed to demonstrate God's power and sovereignty over Egypt and its gods. This command comes just before the plague of frogs, emphasizing God's persistence and Pharaoh's escalating defiance.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Authority and Demand: The phrase "Thus saith the LORD" underscores God's ultimate authority. It's not a negotiation but a divine imperative for Pharaoh to release His people. This highlights God's absolute power over earthly rulers.
  • Purpose of Liberation: The core reason for Israel's freedom is explicitly stated: "that they may serve me." This highlights that liberation from bondage is not an end in itself, but a means to worship and obey God. True freedom, both then and now, leads to devoted service to the Creator.
  • God's Ownership of Israel: By calling them "my people," God asserts His special relationship and covenant with Israel, reinforcing His right to demand their release from Egyptian slavery. This claim is foundational to the covenant relationship established at Sinai.
  • Confrontation of Powers: This verse continues the divine challenge to Pharaoh's perceived power and the gods of Egypt, demonstrating that the God of Israel is supreme and will prevail.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "Let my people go" (שַׁלַּח אֶת־עַמִּי, shalach et-ammi) is a forceful imperative, meaning "send out my people" or "release my people." The word for "serve" (עָבַד, 'avad) is highly significant. It carries a broad meaning encompassing both physical labor and spiritual worship or devotion. Thus, the demand is not merely for leisure but for the freedom to fulfill their divine purpose of worship and obedience, contrasting sharply with their forced labor under Egyptian taskmasters.

Related Scriptures

This specific demand echoes the initial instruction given to Moses in Exodus 5:1 and is repeated numerous times throughout the narrative of the plagues. The ultimate goal of Israel's deliverance for the purpose of serving God is a foundational theme, later articulated in the Law (e.g., Deuteronomy 6:13) and extended to the New Testament concept of believers being freed from sin to serve righteousness (Romans 6:18).

Practical Application

Exodus 8:1 reminds us that God's desire is for His people to be free from any form of bondage, whether physical, spiritual, or emotional. This freedom, however, is not without purpose; it is always for the purpose of serving God. For believers today, this means being freed from the power of sin to live lives of worship, obedience, and devoted service to Christ. It calls us to respond to God's authoritative word and to align our lives with His divine will, just as Pharaoh was commanded to do.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 3:18 (5 votes)

    And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.

  • Exodus 3:12 (4 votes)

    And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this [shall be] a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

  • Exodus 5:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.

  • Ezekiel 2:6 (2 votes)

    ¶ And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns [be] with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they [be] a rebellious house.

  • Ezekiel 2:7 (2 votes)

    And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they [are] most rebellious.

  • Exodus 7:16 (2 votes)

    And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.

  • Exodus 4:23 (2 votes)

    And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, [even] thy firstborn.