Exodus 8:30

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe left Pharaoh and interceded with ADONAI,

Berean Standard Bible

Then Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD,

American Standard Version

And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and entreated Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 8:30 powerfully illustrates Moses' immediate and unwavering obedience following Pharaoh's conditional promise to release Israel. This concise verse captures Moses' swift departure from the king's presence to earnestly supplicate the LORD, showcasing his consistent role as a faithful intercessor, his profound reliance on divine power, and his steadfast commitment to God's will amidst escalating divine judgment upon Egypt.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed immediately after Pharaoh's desperate plea to Moses to remove the plague of flies. The narrative of the plagues in Exodus follows a distinct pattern: God announces a plague, it afflicts Egypt, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, he eventually relents under pressure, Moses intercedes, the plague is removed, and then Pharaoh reneges on his promise. [Exodus 8:28](/exodus/8-28 "Pharaoh's promise to Moses regarding the plague of flies") records Pharaoh's offer to let the Israelites go into the wilderness to sacrifice if Moses would remove the flies. Moses' action in [Exodus 8:30](/exodus/8-30 "Moses' Intercession for the Plague of Flies") is the direct fulfillment of his part of this agreement, setting the stage for the plague's removal and, predictably, Pharaoh's subsequent hardening of heart, as seen in [Exodus 8:32](/exodus/8-32 "Pharaoh hardens his heart after the flies depart"). This verse, therefore, acts as a pivotal moment, demonstrating Moses' faithfulness and God's responsiveness, even as it foreshadows Pharaoh's continued rebellion.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was a polytheistic society where the Pharaoh was considered a divine king, a living god, and the mediator between the gods and humanity. The plagues, therefore, were not merely natural disasters but direct assaults on the Egyptian pantheon and Pharaoh's supposed divine authority. The plague of flies (עָרוֹב, _'arov_), which likely refers to a swarm of various biting insects, would have been a direct challenge to Egyptian deities associated with creation, order, or even specific insects. Moses' ability to command the cessation of such a plague, purely through prayer to Yahweh, profoundly undermined Pharaoh's religious and political standing. His departure from the palace to pray highlights the stark contrast between the earthly, self-proclaimed divine ruler and the true, unseen God of Israel, whose power was demonstrated through His humble servant.

* **Key Themes:** [Exodus 8:30](/exodus/8-30 "Exodus 8:30 - Moses Intercedes") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Exodus. Foremost is the **sovereignty of Yahweh** over all creation and all earthly rulers, including Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt. Moses' immediate and effective intercession underscores the theme of **divine responsiveness to prayer** and the **efficacy of intercession** by God's chosen servants. It also reinforces **Moses' role as God's appointed mediator and prophet**, standing between God and humanity, and between God and Pharaoh. Furthermore, this verse, by setting the stage for the plague's removal, subtly advances the theme of **Pharaoh's hardening heart**, a recurring motif throughout the plague narrative that highlights the consequences of resisting divine will and the escalating nature of sin and rebellion against God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **went out (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** From H3318, a primitive root meaning "to go (causatively, bring) out." This word signifies Moses' decisive and immediate action in leaving Pharaoh's presence. It implies a swift departure, not a hesitant or prolonged one, underscoring his obedience and readiness to act upon Pharaoh's request, which was itself a condition for divine intervention. This "going out" marks a transition from the realm of human negotiation to the realm of divine communion.
* **intreated (Hebrew, _ʻâthar'_):** From H6279, a primitive root (or denominative from H6279, _'ether_, "incense") meaning "to burn incense in worship, i.e. intercede (reciprocally, listen to prayer); intreat, (make) pray(-er)." This term denotes fervent, earnest, and often humble supplication. It suggests a deep, heartfelt appeal to God, emphasizing the sincerity and intensity of Moses' prayer. The root connection to "incense" can subtly evoke the idea of prayer as a pleasing aroma to God, highlighting the spiritual nature of Moses' action.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, "the self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God." This is the sacred covenant name of God, Yahweh. Moses' "intreating" of Yahweh, rather than any Egyptian deity, underscores the exclusive power and authority of the God of Israel. It highlights that the true power to remove the plague resided solely with the covenant God, to whom Moses had direct access and whose will he faithfully executed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses went out from Pharaoh":** This clause highlights Moses' swift and obedient response. Upon Pharaoh's conditional promise, Moses did not delay or question the sincerity of the earthly ruler. His departure from the royal court signifies a deliberate shift from human diplomacy to divine communion. It emphasizes his role as God's faithful agent, ready to execute the divine will without hesitation, demonstrating his confidence in God's power to act and his commitment to the covenant.
* **"and intreated the LORD":** This second clause reveals the true source of power and the nature of Moses' action. The word "intreated" (Hebrew _ʻâthar_) conveys a sense of earnest, fervent, and pleading prayer. Moses did not rely on his own power or wisdom but immediately turned to Yahweh, the sovereign God. This act of intercession underscores Moses' deep faith, his reliance on divine intervention, and his consistent role as a mediator between God and humanity. It is a powerful testament to the efficacy of prayer and God's responsiveness to the supplications of His chosen servants.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices, though subtly. **Conciseness** is evident, as the verse uses minimal words to convey significant action and meaning, focusing on Moses' immediate and purposeful movement. The structure itself, "Moses went out... and intreated," demonstrates **cause and effect**, linking Moses' physical departure from Pharaoh directly to his spiritual act of prayer. Furthermore, the verse functions as a moment of **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader knows Pharaoh's heart will harden again, making Moses' earnest intercession for the plague's removal a poignant act of grace that will ultimately be rejected. This irony underscores the escalating nature of Pharaoh's rebellion against God's persistent mercy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Moses' immediate and fervent prayer in [Exodus 8:30](/exodus/8-30 "Exodus 8:30 - Moses Intercedes") serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of God, the power of prayer, and the role of God's chosen servants. It demonstrates that true deliverance and change come not from human negotiation or power, but from humble reliance on the Almighty. This act of intercession, even for a hardened oppressor, foreshadows God's expansive mercy and His willingness to respond to the prayers of His people, even when the recipients of that mercy prove undeserving.

* [Psalm 34:17](/psalm/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears")
* [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "James 5:16 - The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective")
* [1 John 5:14](/1_john/5-14 "1 John 5:14 - Confidence in prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 8:30 offers a timeless lesson on the priority and power of prayer in the life of a believer. Moses, confronted with a critical situation and a conditional promise from a powerful ruler, did not hesitate to turn immediately to the LORD. His action underscores that our first and most critical response to challenges, promises, or even the pleas of others, should be earnest supplication to God. This verse calls us to cultivate a habit of immediate and fervent prayer, trusting that God hears and acts according to His perfect will. It challenges us to move beyond mere human effort or despair, and instead, to engage in consistent intercession, not only for our own needs but also for those around us, even those who may seem to be adversaries. Just as God remained faithful to Moses and responded to his plea, we can have confidence that our prayers, offered in faith, are powerful and effective, aligning our hearts with God's purposes and inviting His divine intervention into our circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How quickly do I turn to God in prayer when faced with challenges or significant decisions, like Moses did?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a more fervent and immediate prayer life, making prayer my first response rather than a last resort?**
* **For whom might God be calling me to intercede, even those who seem opposed to His will, following Moses' example?**

### FAQ
**Why did Moses pray for Pharaoh, who was God's enemy and would only harden his heart again?**

Answer: Moses' prayer for Pharaoh, despite Pharaoh's persistent opposition to God's will, demonstrates several profound truths. Firstly, it highlights the compassionate nature of true intercession, which extends even to those who are hostile to God, reflecting God's own patience and desire for all to acknowledge His sovereignty. Moses, as God's faithful servant, was fulfilling his role as a mediator, demonstrating divine patience and giving Pharaoh every opportunity to repent and acknowledge the LORD's supremacy. Secondly, Moses' act of intercession was also an act of obedience to God's command to remove the plague, thereby continuing the unfolding of God's plan to display His power and glory to both Egyptians and Israelites. Even though Pharaoh would ultimately choose to harden his heart again, as seen in [Exodus 8:32](/exodus/8-32 "Pharaoh hardens his heart after the flies depart"), Moses' prayer was still effective in removing the plague, thus demonstrating God's faithfulness to His word and His servant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Moses' role as an intercessor in [Exodus 8:30](/exodus/8-30 "Exodus 8:30 - Moses Intercedes"), standing between God and humanity to plead for deliverance from a physical plague, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect intercession of Jesus Christ. Just as Moses earnestly "intreated the LORD" for the cessation of a temporary affliction, Christ, our eternal High Priest, continually intercedes for His people before the Father. His intercession is not for temporary physical relief, but for eternal spiritual deliverance from the plague of sin and its ultimate consequences, securing our salvation and sanctification. [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession") declares that Christ "is at the right hand of God and indeed is interceding for us." Similarly, [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession") affirms that He "always lives to make intercession for them." Moses' temporary and limited intercessory work, though vital in its context, finds its full and permanent fulfillment in Christ's ongoing, perfect advocacy, which provides unending access to God's grace and a complete reconciliation between God and humanity.

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 8:12

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.