Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither.

EXODUS 10:26KJV
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Exodus 10:26 (KJV)

What does Exodus 10:26 mean?

Exodus 10:26 means that Moses insists every single animal belonging to the Israelites must go with them when they leave Egypt, because they do not yet know exactly what God will require from them in worship. Moses refuses to leave even the smallest part of their livestock behind, emphasizing their total commitment to serving God as He directs.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to Pharaoh during the negotiations for Israel’s release from slavery. Pharaoh has suggested that only the people go, but not their animals. Moses responds that all their cattle must go because they will need them to serve the LORD (the Hebrew name for God, often written as יהוה / YHWH / Yahweh), and they do not know in advance what God will ask for. This shows Moses’ determination to obey God fully, even in details that are not yet clear.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 10:26

  • "Hoof" (פַּרְסָה / parsah): Moses says not even a hoof will be left behind, stressing that not a single animal, not even the smallest part, can remain in Egypt. This highlights the completeness of their departure.
  • "Serve" (עָבַד / avad): The word used for "serve" can mean both worship and work. Here, it points to the idea that their animals are necessary for the acts of worship or sacrifices God might require.
  • "Know" (יָדַע / yada): Moses says they do not know what they will need to serve God until they arrive. This shows their trust in God’s instructions, even when the details are not yet revealed.

Why Exodus 10:26 matters

  • This verse clears up the misunderstanding that worshiping God could be done on Pharaoh’s terms; Moses insists on following God’s requirements, not Pharaoh’s limits.
  • It emphasizes the Israelites’ readiness to obey God fully, even before knowing all the details, showing faith and commitment.
  • In the wider story, this verse highlights the tension between Pharaoh’s attempts to control the Israelites and Moses’ insistence on complete freedom to serve God as He commands.

Where else these words appear

“hoof” Hebrew H6541 · used in 16 verses

  • Leviticus 11:3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
  • Leviticus 11:26 The carcases of every beast which divideth the hoof, and is not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, are unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean.
  • Jeremiah 47:3 At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;

“cattle” Hebrew H4735 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 4:20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
  • Exodus 9:3 Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.
  • Judges 18:21 So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them.

“behind” Hebrew H7604 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 7:23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
  • Joshua 13:2 This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,
  • Nehemiah 1:2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.