Question 1

What does Exodus 10:4 mean?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 10:4 is a warning from God, delivered by Moses to Pharaoh, that if Pharaoh refuses to let the Israelites go, God will send a swarm of locusts into Egypt the next day. This verse sets up the threat of a new plague as a consequence for Pharaoh’s continued stubbornness. In this moment, Moses is speaking directly to Pharaoh on God’s behalf. The situation is tense: Pharaoh has already resisted several earlier plagues, and God is now threatening another disaster. The verse makes clear that the coming plague—locusts—will be a direct response to Pharaoh’s refusal to release the Israelites from slavery.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Exodus 10:4

Accepted Answer

"Refuse" (מָאֵן, māʾēn): This word carries the sense of a deliberate, stubborn refusal. It highlights Pharaoh’s ongoing resistance, not just a casual “no.” "Locusts" (אַרְבֶּה, arbeh): This is a specific term for the kind of insect that can devastate crops. The threat is not just annoyance but real economic and food disaster. "Coast" (גְּבוּל, gevul): This word means border or territory. The warning is that the locusts will invade all the land of Egypt, not just a small part.

Question 3

Why Exodus 10:4 matters

Accepted Answer

The verse clarifies that God’s actions are responses to Pharaoh’s choices, emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship between Pharaoh’s refusal and the coming plague. By specifying “to morrow,” the verse shows God’s control over timing and events, not just the plagues themselves. The use of “coast” or “territory” makes it clear that the threat is nationwide, not limited to a single area, underscoring the seriousness of the warning.

Exodus 10:4 (KJV)