Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Yahweh addresses Moses at the moment of renewed commission, directing him to approach Pharaoh for a specific demand. The directive initiates the next phase of the confrontation over Israel's release.
The words — בֹּא (bo') translates literally as "go," commanding physical movement toward the Egyptian court. וְ/אָמַרְתָּ (ve./'a.mar.Ta) means "and you will say," establishing the prophetic speech act Moses must deliver.
The thread — This command repeats the commission pattern of Exodus 3:18 and matches the opening declaration of Exodus 5:1, while Exodus 8:2 immediately attaches the consequence of refusal. The sequence frames the demand as a formal divine ultimatum preceding judicial action.
Why it lands — The text requires Moses to obey a direct command before any sign is provided. It demands that readers acknowledge worship as the explicit and nonnegotiable purpose behind the demand for release.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the Lord spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Cross-references
- 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.’
- Exodus 3:12 “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”
- Exodus 5:1 After that, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’”
- Jeremiah 1:17 Get yourself ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them, or I will terrify you before them.
- Exodus 4:23 and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’”
- Exodus 7:16 Then say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to tell you: Let My people go, so that they may worship Me in the wilderness. But until now you have not listened.
- Jeremiah 15:19 Therefore this is what the LORD says: “If you return, I will restore you; you will stand in My presence. And if you speak words that are noble instead of worthless, you will be My spokesman. It is they who must turn to you, but you must not turn to them.
- Ezekiel 2:6 But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house.