Exodus 9:13

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, Rise up early {H7925} in the morning {H1242}, and stand {H3320} before {H6440} Pharaoh {H6547}, and say {H559} unto 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.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI said to Moshe, "Get up early in the morning, stand before Pharaoh, and say to him, 'Here is what ADONAI says: "Let my people go, so that they can worship me.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning, stand before 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.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 9:13 presents the LORD's unwavering command to Pharaoh through Moses, demanding the immediate release of the Israelite people. This divine ultimatum, delivered with urgent precision at the break of day, precedes the devastating plague of hail, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and His unyielding purpose: to liberate His chosen people from Egyptian bondage so they may enter into a life of devoted service and worship to Him alone, despite Pharaoh's persistent and defiant refusal.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 9:13 marks a pivotal turning point within the escalating narrative of the plagues, following six severe judgments that have already afflicted Egypt—the turning of water to blood, frogs, lice, flies, a devastating livestock disease, and painful boils. Each preceding plague progressively demonstrated the LORD's supreme power over the Egyptian pantheon and Pharaoh's supposed divine authority, yet Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, as explicitly noted in [Exodus 9:12](/exodus/9-12 "The LORD Hardens Pharaoh's Heart"). This verse introduces a final, urgent warning before the onset of the destructive plague of hail, detailed in [Exodus 9:18](/exodus/9-18 "The Plague of Hail Begins"), signaling God's unwavering resolve to free His covenant people, whom He distinctly identifies as "the Hebrews." The command to rise "early in the morning" emphasizes the divine initiative and the relentless pace of God's judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was a polytheistic society where Pharaoh was considered a divine king, a living god, and the embodiment of national power and prosperity. His authority was believed to be absolute, derived directly from the gods. The plagues, therefore, were not merely natural disasters but direct assaults on the credibility and power of the Egyptian gods (e.g., the Nile god Hapi, the frog goddess Heqet, the sun god Ra, whose power was challenged by the darkness plague), and on Pharaoh himself. The demand to "let my people go" was a direct challenge to Pharaoh's claim of ownership over all people and resources within his domain, particularly the Israelite slave labor that underpinned much of Egypt's economy. The concept of serving a singular, unseen God, "the God of the Hebrews," would have been utterly alien and offensive to the Egyptian worldview.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Exodus. Firstly, it amplifies the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating that the LORD is the ultimate authority, capable of commanding even the most powerful earthly ruler, Pharaoh, and executing His will regardless of human resistance. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Purposeful Deliverance**, clarifying that Israel's liberation from slavery is not an end in itself, but a means to a higher spiritual calling—to "serve" and worship their deliverer. This is a recurring motif, as seen in God's initial call to Moses in [Exodus 3:12](/exodus/3-12 "The Sign of God's Presence"), where the sign of His presence is that the people will serve Him on that mountain. Finally, the verse highlights the **Covenant Relationship** between God and Israel, as He identifies Himself as "the LORD God of the Hebrews," distinguishing His chosen people and His unique claim over them from all other nations and their deities.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is the sacred, personal, covenantal name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh or Jehovah. It signifies "the self-Existent or Eternal." Its use here emphasizes God's unchanging nature, His faithfulness to His promises, and His unique identity as the one true God, distinct from and superior to all Egyptian deities. It asserts His absolute authority in making this demand.
* **morning (Hebrew, _bôqer'_):** From H1242, meaning "dawn" or "morning." The instruction to rise "early in the morning" signifies urgency, divine initiative, and the commencement of a new, decisive phase in the confrontation. It implies a fresh opportunity for Pharaoh to obey, but also a relentless pursuit of God's purpose.
* **serve (Hebrew, _ʻâbad'_):** From H5647, a primitive root meaning "to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave." This word is crucial. It encompasses not only ritualistic worship and religious devotion but also obedience, labor, and dedication in all aspects of life. Israel's liberation was not for idleness, but for a life wholly devoted to God's will and purpose, contrasting sharply with their forced labor under Pharaoh.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine origin and urgency of the command. God initiates the confrontation, instructing Moses to present himself before Pharaoh at the very start of the day. The repeated motif of Moses confronting Pharaoh "early in the morning" (cf. [Exodus 7:15](/exodus/7-15 "Moses to Meet Pharaoh by the Nile"), [Exodus 8:20](/exodus/8-20 "The Plague of Flies")) underscores God's persistence and Pharaoh's continued obstinacy, setting the stage for a decisive encounter.
* **"and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews,"**: This is a formal, authoritative declaration, a divine oracle. Moses is not speaking his own words but delivering a direct message from the sovereign God. The title "the LORD God of the Hebrews" is profoundly significant. "The LORD" (Yahweh) asserts God's unique, personal, and covenantal identity, while "God of the Hebrews" emphasizes His exclusive relationship and authority over Israel, directly challenging Pharaoh's dominion and the myriad of Egyptian deities. It declares God's ownership and claim over a specific people.
* **"Let my people go, that they may serve me."**: This is the core demand and its profound purpose. "Let my people go" is a sovereign command, not a plea, from the Creator to an earthly ruler, asserting divine ownership over Israel. Crucially, the liberation is not an end in itself but a means to a greater spiritual purpose: "that they may serve me." The Hebrew word *`avad* signifies a comprehensive devotion—worship, obedience, and dedicated labor—establishing that true freedom is not merely the absence of external restraint but the liberty to wholeheartedly worship and obey the one true God, fulfilling the very purpose of their existence.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 9:13 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Command/Imperative**, as the verse opens with "the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up... and stand... and say..." followed by the direct command, "Let my people go." This highlights God's absolute authority and initiative in the unfolding drama. **Repetition** is also evident, not just within this verse's structure (e.g., the repeated "say" implied in the command to Moses) but more broadly through the recurring phrase "Let my people go" throughout the Exodus narrative, emphasizing God's consistent and unwavering demand. A stark **Contrast** is drawn between the LORD, the self-existent God of the Hebrews, and Pharaoh, the self-proclaimed divine ruler of Egypt, whose power is progressively undermined. Finally, there is **Symbolism** in the instruction to meet "early in the morning," which signifies not only urgency but also the dawning of a new, decisive phase in God's judgment and deliverance, much like the break of day heralds new light and revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 9:13 encapsulates fundamental theological truths about God's character and His relationship with humanity. It unequivocally asserts God's absolute **Sovereignty and Authority** over all creation, including the most powerful earthly rulers, demonstrating that His commands are non-negotiable and His will is unstoppable. The verse also powerfully illustrates the **Purposeful Nature of Deliverance**: Israel's liberation from physical bondage was never an end in itself, but a means to a higher spiritual calling—to "serve" and worship their Deliverer. This highlights that God's acts of salvation are always teleological, aimed at enabling a life of worship, obedience, and dedication to Him. Furthermore, God's self-identification as "the LORD God of the Hebrews" underscores His unique **Covenant Relationship** with Israel, setting them apart as His chosen people and demonstrating His faithfulness to His promises.

* [Psalm 115:3](/psalms/115-3 "Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.")
* [Deuteronomy 6:23](/deuteronomy/6-23 "He brought us out from there, that he might bring us in to give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers.")
* [Romans 6:22](/romans/6-22 "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 9:13 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. Just as God called Israel out of the physical bondage of Egypt for the express purpose of serving Him, so too does He call us out of spiritual slavery to sin, self, and worldly systems. This verse reminds us that true freedom is not merely the absence of external restraint or the pursuit of personal autonomy, but the liberating reality of wholeheartedly devoting ourselves to God in worship, obedience, and dedicated service. Our deliverance, whether from specific struggles or from the overarching dominion of sin, is always purposeful—intended to enable a life lived for God's glory and in alignment with His will. It challenges us to honestly identify any "Pharaohs" or competing loyalties in our lives—idols, habits, or worldly ambitions—that might be hindering our ability to fully "serve" the LORD, and to respond with faithful obedience to His persistent call, just as Moses faithfully delivered God's message.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Pharaohs" or forms of bondage (sin, fear, worldly desires) might be preventing me from fully serving the LORD today?**
* **How does my understanding of "freedom" align with God's purpose for my liberation—to serve Him?**
* **In what practical ways can I more fully devote my life, time, and resources to serving the LORD, as He desires?**

### FAQ
**Why does God repeatedly command Pharaoh to "let my people go" when He knows Pharaoh's heart is hardened?**

Answer: God's repeated commands serve multiple profound purposes, demonstrating His righteous character and strategic plan. Firstly, they showcase His **justice and long-suffering**, offering Pharaoh every opportunity to obey and repent, thereby removing any excuse for his defiance (cf. [Romans 9:17](/romans/9-17 "God's Purpose in Raising up Pharaoh")). Each command, followed by Pharaoh's refusal, progressively reveals the depths of Pharaoh's rebellion. Secondly, these repeated demands, coupled with the escalating plagues, serve as a powerful **revelation of God's power and sovereignty**, not only to Pharaoh and the Egyptians but also to the Israelites themselves and to all future generations. This process establishes the LORD's glory and unique identity as the "God of the Hebrews," proving His supremacy over all other gods and earthly rulers (cf. [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "God's Name Declared Throughout the Earth")). It is a deliberate and progressive demonstration of divine patience, culminating in a clear display of His might and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine command in Exodus 9:13, "Let my people go, that they may serve me," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Israel was freed from physical slavery in Egypt to enter into a covenant relationship of service with God, so too are believers liberated from the spiritual bondage of sin and death through Christ's atoning sacrifice. Jesus, the greater Moses (cf. [Hebrews 3:1-6](/hebrews/3-1-6 "Jesus Greater Than Moses")), leads His people out of a far deeper "Egypt"—the dominion of sin (cf. [John 8:34](/john/8-34 "Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin")). Our freedom in Christ is not an end in itself, nor is it a license for lawlessness; rather, it is a new state of being that enables us to truly serve God, no longer enslaved to sin but made "slaves of righteousness" (cf. [Romans 6:18](/romans/6-18 "Freedom from sin to become servants of righteousness")). Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to offer true worship "in spirit and truth" (cf. [John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "True Worshipers")), fulfilling the very purpose for which God delivered His people in the Exodus, now in a new and eternal covenant.

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 8:20

¶ 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 7:15

Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.

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.