Exodus 8:8

KJV

Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Pharaoh {H6547} called {H7121} for Moses {H4872} and Aaron {H175}, and said {H559}, Intreat {H6279} the LORD {H3068}, that he may take away {H5493} the frogs {H6854} from me, and from my people {H5971}; and I will let the people {H5971} go {H7971}, that they may do sacrifice {H2076} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Pharaoh summoned Moshe and Aharon and said, "Intercede with ADONAI to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let the people go and sacrifice to ADONAI."

Berean Standard Bible

Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to the LORD to take the frogs away from me and my people. Then I will let your people go, that they may sacrifice to the LORD.”

American Standard Version

Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Entreat Jehovah, that he take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 8:8 captures a critical juncture during the second plague, where Pharaoh, overwhelmed by the pervasive infestation of frogs, finally summons Moses and Aaron. His desperate plea, "Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD," reveals a temporary and conditional concession in his escalating struggle against the undeniable power of God. This moment marks a reluctant acknowledgment of Yahweh's authority, driven by immediate distress rather than genuine repentance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the devastating [plague of frogs](/exodus/8-6 "The Plague of Frogs"), which had infiltrated every aspect of Egyptian life, from their palaces to their private chambers, ovens, and kneading troughs. This was the second of ten judgments, following the [plague of blood](/exodus/7-20 "The First Plague: Water to Blood"), which had rendered the Nile, Egypt's lifeblood, unusable. Each plague systematically escalated in severity and scope, directly challenging the various gods of Egypt and demonstrating the absolute supremacy of Yahweh. Pharaoh's summoning of Moses and Aaron, whom he had previously dismissed with contempt and even threatened, underscores the immense pressure he was under due to the undeniable divine intervention and the suffering of his people. His plea here represents the first significant crack in his hardened resolve, though it proves to be temporary.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was a polytheistic society, with a vast pantheon of gods associated with various aspects of nature, life, and death. The Nile River was central to their existence and revered as a deity (Hapi), while frogs were often associated with fertility and resurrection, particularly through the goddess Heqet, who had a frog's head. The plague of frogs, therefore, was not merely an inconvenience but a direct assault on the perceived power and efficacy of these Egyptian deities, demonstrating their impotence before the God of Israel. Pharaoh himself was considered a divine king, a living god, and his inability to control or remove the plague was a profound humiliation and a challenge to his own divine status. The concept of "sacrifice unto the LORD" would have been understood by Pharaoh within the framework of religious appeasement, though he likely underestimated the true nature of Yahweh's demands and the unique worship due to Him.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 8:8 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Exodus. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's absolute control over creation and His ability to use natural phenomena as instruments of judgment and revelation. The targeted nature of the plagues, striking at the heart of Egyptian life and religion, underscores Yahweh's uniqueness as the one true God, a theme powerfully articulated in passages like [Exodus 9:14](/exodus/9-14 "God's Power Displayed"). Secondly, the verse illustrates **Pharaoh's Hardened Heart**, a recurring motif throughout the narrative. While he makes a concession, it is born of duress, not genuine repentance, foreshadowing his repeated pattern of temporary compliance followed by renewed defiance, as seen in [Exodus 9:34-35](/exodus/9-34-35 "Pharaoh's Renewed Hardness"). Lastly, it emphasizes the theme of **God's Deliverance and Covenant Faithfulness**. Even amidst judgment, God is working to fulfill His promise to deliver His people and establish them as His own, a purpose articulated earlier in [Exodus 6:6-7](/exodus/6-6-7 "God's Promise of Deliverance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pharaoh (Egyptian derivation, _Parʻôh"_):** This is a general title for Egyptian kings. In this context, Pharaoh represents the epitome of worldly power and human resistance to divine authority. His calling for Moses and Aaron signifies a significant shift from his initial defiance, indicating the immense pressure exerted by God's judgment.
* **Intreat (Hebrew, _ʻâthar"_):** A primitive root meaning to burn incense in worship, or more broadly, to intercede or listen to prayer. Pharaoh's use of this term is a desperate plea for divine intervention. It acknowledges a power beyond his own, recognizing that only the God of Moses and Aaron can remove the plague, even if he is not yet ready for full submission.
* **take away (Hebrew, _çûwr"_):** This verb means to turn off, remove, or withdraw. Pharaoh's request is for the immediate cessation of the plague, a desire for relief from the consequence rather than a change of heart or genuine repentance for his oppression of Israel. His focus is on the removal of the affliction, not the underlying cause of his sin.
* **sacrifice (Hebrew, _zâbach"_):** A primitive root meaning to slaughter an animal, usually in sacrifice. Pharaoh's promise to "let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD" is a strategic offer. He understands that the Israelites' stated purpose for leaving is religious worship, and he attempts to use this as a bargaining chip to alleviate his immediate suffering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said,"**: This opening clause marks a significant turning point. Pharaoh, who had previously dismissed and challenged Moses and Aaron, is now compelled by the severity of the plague to seek them out. His action demonstrates the effectiveness of God's judgment in breaking down his initial defiance and forcing a direct engagement with God's representatives.
* **"Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people;"**: This is Pharaoh's desperate plea. The imperative "Intreat" (literally, "pray") reveals his acknowledgment that the plague is not a natural phenomenon but a divine act, and only the Lord can remove it. His concern is primarily for himself and his people, highlighting the self-centered nature of his request—seeking relief from suffering rather than expressing remorse for his actions.
* **"and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD."**: This clause presents Pharaoh's conditional promise. He offers to release the Israelites for their stated purpose of sacrificing to Yahweh, but this offer is explicitly tied to the removal of the frogs. It is a pragmatic bargain, a temporary concession made under duress, rather than a genuine commitment to obey God's command. This foreshadows his repeated pattern of hardening his heart once the immediate pressure is relieved.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the mighty Pharaoh, who once defiantly asked, "[Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice?](/exodus/5-2 "Pharaoh's Defiance in Exodus 5:2")", is now reduced to pleading with the very God he scorned, asking Moses and Aaron to "Intreat the LORD." This highlights the reversal of power dynamics. **Foreshadowing** is also present, as Pharaoh's conditional promise ("I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice... *if* he may take away the frogs") sets the stage for his subsequent pattern of hardening his heart and retracting his offers, a cycle that will repeat throughout the plague narrative. The **dialogue** itself is a crucial element, as it directly reveals Pharaoh's desperation and his reluctant, yet ultimately insincere, acknowledgment of Yahweh's power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 8:8 powerfully illustrates the theme of divine sovereignty and the futility of human resistance against God's will. Pharaoh's reluctant plea, born of desperation, underscores that even the most powerful earthly rulers are subject to the ultimate authority of Yahweh. His conditional offer to release Israel for sacrifice highlights the human tendency to bargain with God, seeking relief from immediate consequences without genuine repentance or wholehearted submission. This pattern of temporary compliance under duress, followed by renewed defiance, reveals the difference between external coercion and internal transformation. The plagues serve not only as judgment upon Egypt for its oppression of Israel but also as a profound revelation of Yahweh's unique identity and power, distinguishing Him from all other gods and demonstrating His unwavering covenant faithfulness to His chosen people.

* [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "God's Purpose in Raising Pharaoh")
* [Romans 9:17-18](/romans/9-17-18 "God's Sovereignty and Pharaoh")
* [Psalm 105:27-31](/psalms/105-27-31 "The Lord's Plagues in Egypt")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 8:8 serves as a profound mirror, reflecting humanity's common tendency to seek relief from suffering without embracing true repentance or committing to genuine obedience. Pharaoh's conditional promise—"I will let the people go, *if* you take away the frogs"—is a stark reminder of how often we, too, might turn to God only in times of crisis, offering bargains or temporary concessions in exchange for deliverance from immediate discomfort. This verse compels us to examine the sincerity of our own prayers and promises to God. Are they born out of a genuine desire for submission to His will, a recognition of His ultimate sovereignty, and a longing for a transformed heart? Or are they merely pragmatic attempts to escape the consequences of our actions, much like Pharaoh's desperate plea? The passage challenges us to move beyond a transactional relationship with God, where our obedience is conditional on His immediate relief, and instead cultivate a heart that willingly seeks to obey His commands and acknowledge His lordship in all circumstances, trusting in His wisdom and goodness even when circumstances are difficult.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I, like Pharaoh, tend to bargain with God or offer conditional obedience when faced with difficult circumstances?**
* **What is the difference between seeking relief from consequences and genuine repentance that leads to a transformed heart?**
* **How can I cultivate a more sincere and unconditional obedience to God, even when it means enduring discomfort or trusting in His timing?**

### FAQ

**Why did Pharaoh only make a temporary concession?**

Answer: Pharaoh's concession was primarily driven by immediate distress and the overwhelming impact of the plague, rather than genuine repentance or a fundamental change of heart. He sought relief from the consequences of his defiance, not a true relationship with the Lord or a desire to submit to God's ultimate authority. This pattern of temporary compliance followed by renewed defiance is a defining characteristic of his hardened heart throughout the Exodus narrative, demonstrating his persistent resistance to God's absolute power and will, as highlighted in [Exodus 9:34](/exodus/9-34 "Pharaoh's Continued Hardness").

**What does "intreat the LORD" signify about Pharaoh's understanding?**

Answer: Pharaoh's use of "intreat the LORD" (H6279, _ʻâthar_) signifies a reluctant but undeniable acknowledgment of Yahweh's power. It indicates that Pharaoh, despite his earlier defiant question "[Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice?](/exodus/5-2 "Pharaoh's Defiance")", now recognized that Moses and Aaron's God was the one who controlled the plague and possessed the unique capability to remove it. This was a pragmatic recognition of divine capability born of desperation, not an act of worship or genuine faith in Yahweh as the one true God. He understood that his own gods and magicians were powerless against this divine force.

**Is Pharaoh's offer to "let the people go" genuine?**

Answer: Pharaoh's offer was conditional and ultimately not genuinely committed to God's will. He offered to release the Israelites only if the frogs were removed, demonstrating a desire to manipulate the situation for his own immediate relief rather than an honest intention to obey God's command to "Let my people go!" ([Exodus 8:1](/exodus/8-1 "God's Command to Pharaoh")). This pattern of negotiation and subsequent retraction, as seen in later plagues, reveals the insincerity of his promise and his continued resistance to true submission to God's authority.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Pharaoh's conditional offer in [Exodus 8:8](/exodus/8-8 "Pharaoh's Plea for Relief"), seeking relief from the plague while resisting true submission, powerfully foreshadows humanity's inherent tendency to bargain with God rather than embracing His full redemptive plan. In stark contrast to Pharaoh's temporary and self-serving plea for a cessation of suffering, Christ offers ultimate freedom and deliverance, not through a conditional exchange, but through His complete and sacrificial obedience. While the plagues demonstrated God's power over physical creation and the false gods of Egypt, Christ's work on the cross demonstrates His ultimate victory over sin, death, and spiritual powers, offering a lasting freedom that goes beyond mere relief from temporal suffering. He is the true deliverer who liberates not just from external oppression but from the hardening of the heart itself, inviting a willing and complete surrender that Pharaoh refused. Through Christ, we are offered a new covenant, not based on our conditional promises, but on His perfect and unconditional love, enabling us to truly "do sacrifice unto the LORD" by offering our lives as a [living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice"), a spiritual worship that Pharaoh could never comprehend. As the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus fulfills the sacrificial system and provides the ultimate means of reconciliation, offering true freedom from the bondage of sin that Pharaoh's heart exemplified.

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 10:17

Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.

Exodus 9:28

Intreat the LORD (for [it is] enough) that there be no [more] mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.

Exodus 8:25

And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.

Exodus 8:28

And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me.

1 Kings 13:6

And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as [it was] before.

Exodus 12:31

And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, [and] get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.

Exodus 12:32

Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.