Exodus 8:20

18 The magicians tried to produce gnats using their magic arts, but they could not. And the gnats remained on man and beast.

19 “This is the finger of God,” the magicians said to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning, and when Pharaoh goes out to the water, stand before him and tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.

21 But if you will not let My people go, I will send swarms of flies upon you and your officials and your people and your houses. The houses of the Egyptians and even the ground where they stand will be full of flies.

22 But on that day I will give special treatment to the land of Goshen, where My people live; no swarms of flies will be found there. In this way you will know that I, the LORD, am in the land.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning, and when Pharaoh goes out to the water, stand before him and tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.
KJV
And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
WEB
The LORD said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; behold, he comes out to the water; and tell him, ‘This is what the LORD says, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.
ASV
And Jehovah said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
DARBY
And Jehovah said to Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh behold, he will go out to the water and say to him, Thus saith Jehovah, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
BLB
And YHWH said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before the face of Pharaoh—behold, he is going out to the water—and say to him, thus says YHWH: ‘Send out My people, that they may serve Me.
ÅB
Da sa Herren til Moses: Stå tidlig opp imorgen, og still deg fram for Farao når han går ned til elven, og si til ham: Så sier Herren: La mitt folk fare, så de kan tjene meg!
OTB
Da sa Herren til Moses: «Stå opp tidlig om morgenen og konfronter farao når han går til elven og si til ham: ‘Dette er hva Herren sier: La mitt folk dra, så de kan tjene meg.
B1930
Da sa Herren til Moses: Stå tidlig op imorgen, og still dig frem for Farao når han går ned til elven, og si til ham: Så sier Herren: La mitt folk fare, så de kan tjene mig!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Exodus 7:15

    Go to Pharaoh in the morning as you see him walking out to the water. Wait on the bank of the Nile to meet him, and take in your hand the staff that was changed into a snake.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 9:13

    Then the LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning, stand before Pharaoh, and tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 3:18

    The elders of Israel will listen to what you say, and you must go with them to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’

    Read in context
  • Exodus 8:1

    Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.

    Read in context