Exodus 10:22

Verse

So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and total darkness covered all the land of Egypt for three days.

American Standard Version (1901)

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

And when Moses' hand was stretched out, dark night came over all the land of Egypt for three days;

And Moses stretch forth his hand towards heaven: and there came horrible darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days.

Free Bible Version

Moses lifted up his hand toward heaven, and the whole of Egypt went completely dark for three days.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then Moses stretched forth his hande towarde heauen, and there was a blacke darkenesse in all the land of Egypt three daies.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

One Unity Resource Bible

Moses [Drawn out] stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt [Abode of slavery] for three days.

Translation for Translators

So Moses/I reached his/my hand toward the sky, and it became totally dark all over Egypt for three days and nights.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Moses reached out with his hand toward the sky, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days.

Young's Literal Translation

And Moses stretcheth out his hand towards the heavens, and there is darkness — thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days;

Context

The Ninth Plague: Darkness

²¹Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that darkness may spread over the land of Egypt—a palpable darkness.”²²So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and total darkness covered all the land of Egypt for three days.²³No one could see anyone else, and for three days no one left his place. Yet all the Israelites had light in their dwellings.

Summary

In Exodus 10:22, darkness covers the land of Egypt for three days as part of the plagues sent by God through Moses. This darkness symbolizes the spiritual blindness and oppression caused by sin and disobedience. It serves as a powerful demonstration of God's judgment against Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods, showcasing His supremacy and power over all creation. The darkness also foreshadows the ultimate victory of light over darkness, as seen in the coming of Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world. This verse highlights the consequences of rejecting God's authority and the importance of walking in His light to avoid spiritual darkness.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Pharaoh called unto Moses,.... After the three days, as the Targum of Jonathan, when the darkness was over, or at least much diminished, fearing that still worse evils would befall him: and said, go ye, serve the Lord, only let your flocks and your herds be stayed; stopped or remained behind, as a pledge and security of their return; and these the rather he was desirous of retaining, because of the great loss of cattle he had sustained by the murrain and boils upon them, and by the hail: let your little ones also go with you; this he had refused before, but now consents to it, which he thought was doing them a great favour, and that upon such terms they might be content to go.