Exodus 10:21 (KJV)

What does Exodus 10:21 mean?

Exodus 10:21 describes God telling Moses to stretch out his hand toward the sky so that a deep, tangible darkness will cover the land of Egypt. This darkness is described as so thick it can be felt, marking it as an unusual and overwhelming event.

In this verse, the LORD (God) is speaking directly to Moses, instructing him to initiate the ninth plague against Egypt. The setting is during the series of plagues God sends to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. The darkness is not just an absence of light but is portrayed as something almost physical, emphasizing its severity and the sense of dread it brings to the Egyptians.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 10:21

• Darkness (חֹשֶׁךְ, ḥoshekh): This word is used twice in the verse, highlighting the intensity and completeness of the darkness. It is not ordinary night but a supernatural darkness that disrupts daily life.
• Felt (יָמֵשׁ, yamesh): This word means "to feel" or "to touch," suggesting the darkness was so thick and oppressive it seemed almost solid, not just a lack of light but an experience that affected the senses.
• Hand (יָד, yad): Moses is told to stretch out his hand, a gesture often used in Exodus to show God's power working through Moses. It signals that this plague, like the others, is a direct act of God.

Why Exodus 10:21 matters

• This verse clarifies that the darkness was not a natural event but a miraculous sign, intended to demonstrate God's power over creation and over Egypt's gods, some of whom were associated with the sun.
• The description of darkness that could be "felt" emphasizes the severity of the plague and the helplessness of the Egyptians, setting the stage for Pharaoh's continued resistance and the final, most severe plague.
• Exodus 10:21 connects to the broader narrative by showing the escalation of the plagues and God's growing pressure on Pharaoh, highlighting the conflict between God's will and human stubbornness.