Exodus 8:30

And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD.

And Moses {H4872} went out {H3318} from Pharaoh {H6547}, and intreated {H6279} the LORD {H3068}.

Moshe left Pharaoh and interceded with ADONAI,

Then Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD,

And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and entreated Jehovah.

Commentary

Context of Exodus 8:30

This verse immediately follows the fourth plague upon Egypt, the plague of flies. Pharaoh, overwhelmed by the severity of the plague, had summoned Moses and Aaron and promised to let the Israelites go to sacrifice to the Lord, if Moses would remove the flies (Exodus 8:28). Moses, true to his role as God's servant, wastes no time. He promptly leaves Pharaoh's presence to fulfill his part of the agreement, demonstrating his unwavering obedience and reliance on the Lord.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Moses' Intercession and Faith: The act of Moses going out from Pharaoh to "intreat the LORD" highlights his consistent role as an intercessor before God on behalf of both the Israelites and even Pharaoh. It underscores his deep faith that God would indeed respond to his prayer, just as He had promised. This immediate action shows his trust in God's power to remove the plague.
  • God's Responsiveness to Prayer: Though not explicitly stated as the *outcome* in this verse, the entire narrative of the plagues demonstrates God's consistent responsiveness to Moses' prayers. This verse sets the stage for God's removal of the flies, proving His power and faithfulness to His covenant with Israel.
  • Anticipation of Pharaoh's Hardness: The verse also subtly foreshadows the recurring theme of Pharaoh's duplicity. Moses' swift action to remove the plague is met, in the subsequent verses, with Pharaoh's renewed obstinacy, as he hardens his heart again once the relief comes.

Linguistic Insight

The KJV word "intreated" comes from the Hebrew verb 'atar (Χ’ΦΈΧͺΦ·Χ¨), which means to pray, supplicate, or make earnest supplication. It implies a fervent, pleading prayer, often in a position of humility or urgency. This particular word is used frequently in the Old Testament to describe heartfelt appeals to God, emphasizing the sincerity and earnestness of Moses' prayer life.

Practical Application

Exodus 8:30 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance and efficacy of prayer. Moses did not hesitate or doubt; he went directly to God, confident that the Lord would hear and act. For believers today, this verse encourages:

  • Immediate Prayer: When faced with challenges or commitments, our first response should be to turn to God in prayer, seeking His intervention and guidance.
  • Faithful Intercession: We are called to pray not only for ourselves but also for others, even those who may be opposed to God's will.
  • Trust in God's Character: Just as God was faithful to Moses, He remains faithful to those who call upon Him in truth. Our prayers are heard and answered according to His perfect will and timing.
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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 8:12

    And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh.

  • James 5:16

    Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

  • Exodus 9:33

    And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
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