Exodus 9:1

¶ Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Then the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, Go {H935} in unto Pharaoh {H6547}, and tell {H1696} him, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of the Hebrews {H5680}, Let my people {H5971} go {H7971}, that they may serve {H5647} me.

Then ADONAI said to Moshe, "Go to Pharaoh, and tell him, 'Here is what ADONAI, the God of the Hebrews, 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, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.

Then Jehovah said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Commentary

Exodus 9:1 marks the divine command given to Moses to confront Pharaoh again, initiating the sixth of the ten plagues upon Egypt. This verse reiterates God's unwavering demand for the freedom of His people, Israel, so they might worship and serve Him.

Context

This verse follows the first five plagues (blood, frogs, lice, flies, and pestilence upon livestock), each designed to demonstrate the LORD's supremacy over the gods of Egypt and Pharaoh's stubborn heart. Despite the increasing severity of the plagues, Pharaoh had repeatedly refused to release the Israelites. Here, God instructs Moses to deliver His message once more, setting the stage for the plague of boils, which would afflict both Egyptians and their animals.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Authority: The phrase "Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews" emphasizes God's absolute authority and His specific covenant relationship with Israel. He is not merely a tribal deity but the sovereign Lord who commands Pharaoh.
  • Purpose of Freedom: The core reason for Israel's liberation is explicitly stated: "that they may serve me." Their freedom from Egyptian bondage was not an end in itself but a means to a greater purpose—to worship and obey the true God. This echoes the initial demand found in Exodus 5:1.
  • Pharaoh's Continued Defiance: Although not explicitly stated in this verse, the very need for this repeated command highlights Pharaoh's persistent rebellion against God's will, setting the stage for further divine judgment.
  • God's Patience and Warning: Before each new plague, God provides a warning through Moses, demonstrating His justice and giving Pharaoh another opportunity to comply.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "serve" here is 'avad (עָבַד), which carries a rich meaning. It can refer to physical labor or work, but also to worship, service, and obedience. In this context, it encompasses both the idea of devoted worship and living in obedience to God's commands. It's not just about offering sacrifices, but about a life consecrated to the Lord.

Related Scriptures

  • The recurring demand to "Let my people go" is a central theme throughout the Exodus narrative, first articulated in Exodus 5:1 and repeated numerous times (e.g., Exodus 7:16, Exodus 8:1).
  • The concept of serving God as the ultimate purpose of deliverance is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are called to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is their spiritual worship.

Practical Application

Exodus 9:1 reminds us that God's desire for humanity is not merely freedom from something (like sin or bondage), but freedom for a purpose—to serve and worship Him. True liberation leads to a life devoted to God. For believers today, this means recognizing that our salvation in Christ frees us from the penalty and power of sin so that we can live a life of obedience and devotion to God, fulfilling His purposes for us.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 8:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • Exodus 10:3 (4 votes)

    And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

  • Exodus 8:20 (3 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

  • Exodus 9:13 (3 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

  • Exodus 5:1 (2 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.

  • Exodus 3:18 (2 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 4:22 (2 votes)

    And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel [is] my son, [even] my firstborn: