Exodus 10:18 (KJV)

What does Exodus 10:18 mean?

Exodus 10:18 describes Moses leaving Pharaoh’s presence and praying earnestly to the LORD. The verse shows Moses acting as an intermediary, turning to God after his encounter with Pharaoh.

In this scene, Moses has just confronted Pharaoh about the plague of locusts that has devastated Egypt. Pharaoh asks Moses to plead with God to remove the plague. Moses then leaves Pharaoh’s court and “intreated the LORD,” meaning he prayed or pleaded with God on behalf of Egypt. This moment highlights Moses’ role in communicating between Pharaoh and God during the plagues.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 10:18

• “out” (יָצָא, yatsa’): This word means “to go out” or “to depart.” It emphasizes that Moses physically left Pharaoh’s presence before praying, showing a separation between the confrontation and the act of prayer.
• “intreated” (עָתַר, ‘atar): This word often means “to plead” or “to intercede earnestly.” It suggests that Moses did not offer a casual prayer but made a strong, urgent appeal to God, reflecting the seriousness of the situation.
• “LORD” (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, used here to show that Moses is addressing the specific, covenant God of Israel, not just any deity.

Why Exodus 10:18 matters

• The verse clarifies Moses’ unique role as a mediator, showing that Pharaoh relies on Moses to communicate with God, rather than approaching God himself.
• The detail that Moses leaves Pharaoh before praying underscores the separation between Egypt’s king and Israel’s God, highlighting Pharaoh’s lack of direct access to the LORD.
• This verse connects to the larger pattern in Exodus where Moses repeatedly intercedes for Egypt, showing both God’s power and Moses’ faithfulness in his leadership.