What is happening in Exodus 10?
Moses warns of locusts. Pharaoh’s servants urge him to let Israel go, but Pharaoh offers to let only the men leave. The locusts arrive and eat what the hail spared. Pharaoh asks forgiveness, then hardens again. A thick darkness covers Egypt for three days while Israel has light. Pharaoh then offers another compromise, but Moses insists their livestock must go too. The chapter also explains that the signs are to be told to future generations.
The signs are for future generations
Israel is to tell children and grandchildren what God did in Egypt. Parents are to interpret history to children so later generations know the LORD.
Pharaoh refuses to humble himself
God identifies pride and refusal as the heart of the conflict. Pharaoh is resisting the claim that there is an authority above his own.
Locusts finish the crop devastation
They consume what remained after the hail. They cover the land and eat every green thing left after the hail.
Pharaoh’s servants see the disaster
They urge him to release the people before Egypt is ruined completely. Pharaoh’s servants urge him to let Israel go because they can see that Egypt is being ruined by his refusal.
Darkness covers Egypt
For three days people cannot see one another or move normally, while Israel has light. Exodus itself emphasizes the LORD’s control of light and darkness rather than naming a specific Egyptian deity.
Pharaoh offers partial obedience
He tries to keep children or livestock behind, but Moses refuses to negotiate away God’s command. Pharaoh responds sarcastically and permits only the men.
Exodus 10 brings locusts that consume what hail left behind and a three-day darkness over Egypt, while Pharaoh’s own servants recognize the country’s ruin and Pharaoh repeatedly offers partial obedience instead of releasing Israel fully.
Locusts and Darkness
By Exodus 10 the confrontation has become impossible for Pharaoh’s court to ignore. His servants ask, “Knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?” Yet Pharaoh continues bargaining over who may worship and what property may leave.
The chapter also explains that the signs are to be told to future generations. The Exodus is not only an event for those who experience it; it becomes part of Israel’s memory and teaching about who the LORD is.
Why does God continue the signs?
God tells Moses that Pharaoh’s heart and the hearts of his servants have been hardened so these signs may be displayed and so Israel may tell future generations what God did in Egypt.
The Exodus is meant to become testimony. Parents are to interpret history to children so later generations know the LORD.
“How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself?”
Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh with a direct diagnosis: refusal to release Israel is refusal to humble himself before the LORD.
The conflict is not merely about economic policy. Pharaoh is resisting the claim that there is an authority above his own.
The locust warning
Moses announces that an east wind will bring locusts in such numbers that the ground cannot be seen. They will consume everything that survived the hail and fill Egyptian houses.
Egypt had experienced locusts before, but the plague is described as unprecedented in scale.
Pharaoh’s servants break ranks
Pharaoh’s servants ask how long Moses will be a snare and urge Pharaoh to let the men go serve the LORD: “Knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?”
The ruler’s stubbornness is now endangering his own nation even in the eyes of his officials.
Who is going?
Pharaoh asks who intends to go. Moses answers that young and old, sons and daughters, flocks and herds will all go because they are holding a feast to the LORD.
Pharaoh responds sarcastically and permits only the men. He is attempting to redefine obedience on his terms.
The locusts consume what remains
An east wind brings locusts over Egypt. They cover the land and eat every green thing left after the hail.
The agricultural devastation now approaches completeness. The sequence shows how repeated refusal compounds consequences.
Another confession, another reversal
Pharaoh hurriedly calls Moses and Aaron, admits sin against the LORD and against them, and asks forgiveness and prayer. A strong west wind carries the locusts into the Red Sea.
Again, once relief comes, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened. His words have not produced durable submission.
A darkness that can be felt
Moses stretches out his hand, and thick darkness covers Egypt for three days. People cannot see one another or rise from their places, while the Israelites have light in their dwellings.
The plague directly attacks ordinary life and symbolically overwhelms a culture in which the sun held enormous religious and royal significance. Exodus itself emphasizes the LORD’s control of light and darkness rather than naming a specific Egyptian deity.
Pharaoh’s final compromise in this chapter
Pharaoh says everyone may go but the flocks and herds must remain. Moses refuses: Israel needs animals for sacrifice, and they do not yet know exactly what offerings the LORD will require until they arrive.
Nothing may be held hostage to guarantee Israel’s return. Their worship requires complete release.
“See my face no more”
Pharaoh angrily tells Moses to leave and warns that seeing his face again will mean death. Moses agrees that he will not see Pharaoh’s face again in the ordinary course of negotiation.
The long bargaining phase is ending. The next chapter announces the final plague that will break Pharaoh’s resistance.
Exodus 10 brings locusts that consume what hail left behind and a three-day darkness over Egypt, while Pharaoh’s own servants recognize the country’s ruin and Pharaoh repeatedly offers partial obedience instead of releasing Israel fully.