Exodus 8:8

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.

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}.

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."

Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, โ€œPray 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.โ€

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

Commentary on Exodus 8:8 (KJV)

Exodus 8:8 records a pivotal moment during the second of the ten plagues brought upon ancient Egypt. After the land was overwhelmed by an unprecedented infestation of frogs, Pharaoh, desperate for relief, finally calls upon Moses and Aaron. His 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," marks a temporary concession in his ongoing struggle against God's power.

Context

This verse immediately follows the devastating plague of frogs, which had invaded every aspect of Egyptian life, from their homes to their ovens and kneadingtroughs. This was the second major judgment, following the plague of blood that turned the Nile River crimson. Each plague was a direct assault on the gods of Egypt, demonstrating the supremacy of the God of Israel. Pharaoh's summoning of Moses and Aaron, whom he had previously dismissed and threatened, signifies the immense pressure he was under due to the divine intervention.

Key Themes

  • Pharaoh's Temporary Submission: For the first time, Pharaoh directly acknowledges the Lord's power and requests intercession. His use of "Intreat the LORD" indicates a recognition that Moses and Aaron serve a mighty God who controls the natural world, a stark contrast to his earlier defiant question, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice?"
  • Bargaining with God: Pharaoh's offer to "let the people go" is conditional, a desperate attempt to escape immediate suffering rather than genuine submission to God's will. He seeks relief from the consequence (frogs) before fully embracing the command (release Israel). This highlights the theme of Pharaoh's hardened heart, which is a recurring motif throughout the Exodus narrative.
  • Divine Sovereignty: The plague itself, and Pharaoh's subsequent plea, powerfully illustrate God's absolute control over creation and His ability to compel even the most stubborn rulers to acknowledge His authority. The specific nature of the plague (frogs) also targeted Egyptian fertility deities, further underscoring God's power over their pantheon.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "intreat" (ื—ึทืœึผื•ึผ, hallu), derived from the root ื—ึธืœึธื” (chalah), means to "make sick" or "be weak," but in the Hithpael stem (as used here), it means "to make oneself weak" or "to plead." It conveys a sense of earnest supplication, indicating Pharaoh's desperate state and his recognition that only the Lord could remove the affliction.

Practical Application

Exodus 8:8 serves as a powerful reminder of human nature's tendency to seek relief from consequences without true repentance or commitment. Pharaoh's conditional promise mirrors how individuals sometimes turn to God only in times of crisis, offering bargains for deliverance rather than offering wholehearted obedience. This verse encourages us to examine the sincerity of our own prayers and promises to God, asking if they are born out of genuine submission or merely a desire to escape immediate discomfort. It reinforces the biblical truth that God desires not just temporary compliance, but a willing heart that truly seeks to obey His commands and acknowledge His sovereignty.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 10:17 (6 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

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

  • Exodus 8:28 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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