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Exodus Chapter Study

God’s Power Revealed Through Judgment and Mercy

Exodus 10 (KJV)

Exodus 10 reveals God's sovereign power displayed through the plagues of locusts and darkness, highlighting Pharaoh's stubborn refusal to humble himself and release God's people. This chapter teaches us about God's authority, human resistance, and the importance of obedience.

What You'll Learn

• God’s power is shown through His control over nature and history.
• The consequences of hardened hearts and refusal to obey God.
• The importance of trusting and serving the LORD wholeheartedly.
• God’s mercy even amid judgment.

God’s sovereign power is demonstrated through His judgments, yet His mercy calls for repentance and obedience.

Bible Translation Note Scripture Verse-by-Verse Study Chapter Synopsis Prayer Personal Application Weekly Actions Chapter Summary

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

Exodus 10:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him:

Exodus 10:2 And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD.

Exodus 10:3 And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

Exodus 10:4 Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast:

Exodus 10:5 And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field:

Exodus 10:6 And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers’ fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh.

Exodus 10:7 And Pharaoh’s servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?

Exodus 10:8 And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go?

Exodus 10:9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.

Exodus 10:10 And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you.

Exodus 10:11 Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.

Exodus 10:12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left.

Exodus 10:13 And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.

Exodus 10:14 And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.

Exodus 10:15 For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.

Exodus 10:16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you.

Exodus 10:17 Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.

Exodus 10:18 And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD.

Exodus 10:19 And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.

Exodus 10:20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.

Exodus 10:21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.

Exodus 10:22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:

Exodus 10:23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

Exodus 10:24 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.

Exodus 10:25 And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God.

Exodus 10:26 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 10:27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go.

Exodus 10:28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.

Exodus 10:29 And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.

Exodus 10:1

And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him:

Study: God tells Moses that Pharaoh’s hardened heart is serving a greater purpose. Pharaoh’s rebellion will not stop God’s plan; instead, it becomes the stage where God displays His power through mighty signs.

Exodus 10:2

And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD.

Study: God’s works in Egypt were meant to be remembered and passed down to future generations. The plagues were not only judgments against Pharaoh, but testimonies that would teach Israel to know the Lord.

Exodus 10:3

And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

Study: Pharaoh’s refusal is now exposed as pride before God. The command is still the same: Israel must be released so they may serve the Lord, but Pharaoh continues to resist humbling himself.

Exodus 10:4

Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast:

Study: God gives Pharaoh another warning before judgment falls. His patience is evident, but so is His justice: continued refusal will bring another plague upon Egypt.

Exodus 10:5

And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field:

Study: The locusts will consume what survived the hail, stripping away Egypt’s remaining crops and trees. Pharaoh’s rebellion continues to bring destruction to the land and to the people under his rule.

Exodus 10:6

And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers’ fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh.

Study: The locust plague is described as unprecedented, reaching into the homes of Pharaoh, his servants, and all Egypt. Moses then leaves Pharaoh’s presence, showing that God’s warning has been delivered and is not open for negotiation.

Exodus 10:7

And Pharaoh’s servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?

Study: Pharaoh’s own servants recognize that Egypt is being destroyed by his stubbornness. Even those around him can see the damage, but Pharaoh remains trapped by pride and control.

Exodus 10:8

And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go?

Study: Pharaoh appears to soften, but immediately tries to define the terms of Israel’s obedience. He is still trying to control what belongs to God rather than fully surrendering to God’s command.

Exodus 10:9

And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.

Study: Moses makes clear that worship involves the whole covenant community and all that belongs to them. Israel’s service to God is not partial; their families and possessions must be fully free for the Lord.

Exodus 10:10

And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you.

Study: Pharaoh responds with suspicion and sarcasm, refusing to trust Moses’ request. His words reveal that he still sees Israel’s worship as a threat rather than recognizing it as obedience to God.

Exodus 10:11

Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.

Study: Pharaoh offers another compromise by allowing only the men to go. This is still disobedience, because it keeps Israel’s families under Pharaoh’s control and rejects the fullness of God’s command.

Exodus 10:12

And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left.

Study: After Pharaoh rejects full obedience, God commands the locusts to come. The plague will finish what the hail began, showing that delayed repentance only deepens the judgment.

Exodus 10:13

And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.

Study: Moses obeys, and the Lord uses the east wind to bring the locusts. Even the wind serves God’s command, showing His authority over creation and timing.

Exodus 10:14

And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.

Study: The locusts cover all Egypt in a way never seen before. The severity of the plague reveals the seriousness of Pharaoh’s rebellion and the unmatched power of the Lord.

Exodus 10:15

For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.

Study: The locusts consume every remaining green thing in Egypt. What Pharaoh refused to release, God now strips away, showing that rebellion against the Lord leads to total loss.

Exodus 10:16

Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you.

Study: Pharaoh quickly confesses sin when the judgment becomes unbearable. His words sound humble, but the pattern of his life shows that he wants relief more than true repentance.

Exodus 10:17

Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.

Study: Pharaoh asks for forgiveness and relief, but his request is still focused on removing the consequence. He calls the Lord “your God,” showing that he has not truly submitted to the Lord as his own God.

Exodus 10:18

And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD.

Study: Moses again intercedes before the Lord, even after Pharaoh’s repeated deception. Moses’ role shows patience and dependence on God rather than personal retaliation.

Exodus 10:19

And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.

Study: God removes the locusts completely by sending a strong west wind. The same Lord who brought the plague also takes it away, proving His control from beginning to end.

Exodus 10:20

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.

Study: Pharaoh still refuses to release Israel after the locusts are removed. His hardened heart shows that temporary confession without surrender does not produce obedience.

Exodus 10:21

And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.

Study: God commands a darkness so heavy it can be felt. This plague confronts Egypt’s confidence in light and creation, showing that even the sun and sky are under the Lord’s authority.

Exodus 10:22

And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:

Study: Moses obeys, and darkness covers Egypt for three days. The plague reveals that God can remove the most basic comfort and order from a nation that refuses His word.

Exodus 10:23

They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

Study: Egypt is immobilized by darkness, while Israel has light in their homes. God again makes a clear distinction between His people and Egypt, proving His power to judge and protect at the same time.

Exodus 10:24

And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.

Study: Pharaoh offers another compromise by allowing the people to go but keeping their livestock behind. He still wants leverage over Israel and refuses to release them completely to the Lord.

Exodus 10:25

And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God.

Study: Moses refuses Pharaoh’s partial terms because worship requires sacrifice. Israel cannot serve God according to Pharaoh’s limits; they must worship according to the Lord’s command.

Exodus 10:26

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.

Study: Moses insists that not even one hoof will be left behind. Full obedience means giving God complete authority over every person, possession, and act of worship.

Exodus 10:27

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go.

Study: Pharaoh refuses again, and his hardened heart remains under God’s sovereign purpose. The continued resistance prepares the way for the final judgment and Israel’s complete deliverance.

Exodus 10:28

And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.

Study: Pharaoh rejects Moses with a death threat, showing the bitterness of a heart that refuses correction. His anger signals that the conflict is reaching its final breaking point.

Exodus 10:29

And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.

Study: Moses calmly accepts Pharaoh’s words, but the final outcome will not belong to Pharaoh. This exchange prepares the way for the last plague, when God will bring Israel out by His mighty hand.

In Exodus 10, God sends the locusts and darkness as plagues upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. Despite the devastating effects, Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened by God’s sovereign will, demonstrating both judgment and mercy. The chapter emphasizes God’s power over creation, the consequences of stubbornness, and the call to serve and obey the LORD.

Heavenly Father, help us to recognize Your sovereign power and to humble ourselves before You. Teach us to obey Your commands and trust Your timing, even when faced with challenges. May we respond to Your call with faith and repentance, knowing You are merciful and just. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Spend time each day reflecting on God’s power and mercy through prayer and Scripture.
• Identify any areas of stubbornness in your life and ask God to soften your heart.
• Serve others this week as an expression of your obedience and love for God.

Exodus 10 powerfully illustrates God’s authority over creation and human hearts. Through the plagues of locusts and darkness, God calls Pharaoh to repentance and obedience, yet Pharaoh’s hardened heart prolongs Israel’s bondage. This chapter encourages believers to trust God’s sovereignty, respond humbly to His call, and serve Him faithfully.

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