Exodus 9:28 (KJV)

What does Exodus 9:28 mean?

Exodus 9:28 records Pharaoh urgently asking Moses to plead with the LORD to stop the severe thunder and hail, promising that if the plague ends, he will let the Israelites leave Egypt without further delay. Pharaoh’s words show his desperation in the face of the overwhelming storm and his willingness to negotiate with Moses.

In this verse, Pharaoh is speaking directly to Moses during the seventh plague, when Egypt is being devastated by thunder and hail. The request to "intreat the LORD" means Pharaoh is asking Moses to pray to God on his behalf. Pharaoh admits that the destruction is more than enough and promises to release the Israelites if the disaster stops, highlighting his temporary surrender under pressure.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 9:28

• "Intreat" (עָתַר, 'atar): This word means to plead or intercede, especially in prayer. Pharaoh is not just asking for the storm to stop; he is specifically asking Moses to act as a go-between with God, showing Pharaoh’s sense of helplessness.
• "Mighty" (אֱלֹהִים, 'elohim): Here, the word often translated as "God" is used to describe the thunderings, emphasizing their extraordinary or supernatural power, not just ordinary weather.
• "Thunderings" (קוֹל, qol): This word means "voice" or "sound," and in this context, it refers to the loud, terrifying sounds of the storm, making clear how frightening and unusual this event was.
• "Enough" (רַב, rav): This word means "much" or "great," and Pharaoh uses it to say the destruction has gone far enough—he cannot take any more.

Why Exodus 9:28 matters

• This verse shows Pharaoh’s shifting attitude; he is willing to negotiate only when the pressure is unbearable, which helps explain why his promises are short-lived.
• The language highlights how the plagues were not just natural disasters but events so intense that even Pharaoh recognized their supernatural origin.
• The verse connects to the larger story by showing the pattern of Pharaoh’s repeated pleas and broken promises, setting up the continued conflict between Pharaoh’s stubbornness and God’s power.