Exodus 10:28-29
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Pharaoh's final command isn't just a dismissal; it's a complete severance of communication. He tells Moses to "see my face no more," which implies not just avoiding his presence, but ceasing to be a concern or consideration for him whatsoever. It’s a desperate attempt to regain control by pretending Moses and the power he represents no longer exist.
Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me; take care never to see my face again, for on the day you see my face you shall die.” Moses said, “As you say! I will not see your face again.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the devastating plague of darkness, Pharaoh, still defiant and furious, finally dismisses Moses with threats. He tells Moses to leave and never appear before him again, warning that he will die if he does. This marks a complete breakdown in negotiations, with Pharaoh hardening his heart against God's escalating judgments, just before the final, terrible plague.
Pharaoh's words here are explosive, a volcanic eruption of rage and desperation. What does this outburst reveal about his inner state and his losing battle with God?
Pharaoh's command, 'Get away from me; take care never to see my face again, for on the day you see my face you shall die,' is more than just a dismissal. It's a sign of utter defeat masked by fury.
A King's Losing Battle
Pharaoh sees Moses, but the real conflict is between him and the Almighty. This verse highlights the devastating consequences of fighting against God.
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Pharaoh’s final confrontation with Moses isn’t just about political power or economic interests; it’s a spiritual war. His words reveal a profound disconnect between his perceived authority and the reality of God’s power.
A God-Defying Stance
c. 1446 BC
Moses Returns to Egypt
Moses, after fleeing Egypt years earlier, returns at God's command to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites.
c. 1446 BC
The Ten Plagues Begin
God sends a series of devastating plagues upon Egypt to break Pharaoh's stubborn resistance and convince him to let the Israelites go.
c. 1446 BC
Plague of Hail and Locusts
Earlier plagues, such as hail destroying crops and locusts consuming what remained, had severely impacted Egypt and terrified its people.
c. 1446 BC
Plague of Darkness
A thick, palpable darkness covers Egypt for three days, a terrifying judgment that shows God's power over nature and Pharaoh's gods.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Pharaoh's Final Threat
After the plague of darkness, Pharaoh, in a fit of rage and desperation, banishes Moses and Aaron, threatening Moses with death if he ever appears before him again.
c. 1446 BC
God Announces the Final Plague
Immediately after Pharaoh's threat, God tells Moses that one more plague – the death of the firstborn – will bring about Israel's deliverance.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus
Following the death of the firstborn, Pharaoh finally relents, and the Israelites leave Egypt after 430 years of bondage.
This verse shows a similar desire for a period of relief from suffering, where Job asks to be hidden in Sheol until God's anger passes, mirroring Pharaoh’s desperate desire for Moses to leave him alone.
Proverbs 29:1This proverb speaks of a person being hardened after repeated reproof, which directly applies to Pharaoh's repeated defiance and his harsh reaction to Moses's continued presence, leading to his eventual downfall.
John 16:2Jesus warns his disciples that they will be expelled from synagogues, and the time is coming when anyone who kills them will think he is offering service to God. This reflects Pharaoh's extreme, almost supernatural, rage and his conviction that expelling Moses and threatening death is justified.
Hebrews 12:15This passage warns against a 'root of bitterness' that causes trouble and defiles many, which is a fitting description of Pharaoh's hardened heart and his defiant spirit that led to further plagues and suffering for Egypt.
Romans 11:20The Apostle Paul discusses the Gentiles being broken off from their natural branches and grafted into the olive tree of God's people. This speaks to how Pharaoh, through his pride and rejection of God, is being cut off, while Israel, despite its struggles, remains connected to God's plan.
gillExodus 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."
And Pharaoh said unto him,.... To Moses: get thee from me; be gone from my presence, I have nothing more to say to thee, or do with thee: take heed to thyself; lest mischief befall thee from me, or those about me: see my face no more; neither here nor elsewhere: for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die; this was a foolish as well as…
cambridgeExodus 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."
28 . from me ] Heb. from upon me , i.e. from being a trouble to me; cf. Genesis 13:11 , Numbers 20:21 , 2 Samuel 13:17 ( Lex. p. 759a). Not the ‘from’ [Heb. from with = παρὰ with a gen.] of Exodus 8:12 ; Exodus 8:29-30 , Exodus 9:33 , Exodus 10:6 ; Exodus 10:18 , Exodus 11:8 . see my face ] i.e. be admitted to my presence; cf. Genesis 43:3 ,…
Pharaoh's final command isn't just a dismissal; it's a complete severance of communication. He tells Moses to "see my face no more," which implies not just avoiding his presence, but ceasing to be a concern or consideration for him whatsoever. It’s a desperate attempt to regain control by pretending Moses and the power he represents no longer exist.
After the devastating plague of darkness, Pharaoh, still defiant and furious, finally dismisses Moses with threats. He tells Moses to leave and never appear before him again, warning that he will die if he does. This marks a complete breakdown in negotiations, with Pharaoh hardening his heart against God's escalating judgments, just before the final, terrible plague.
After the devastating plague of darkness, Pharaoh, still defiant and furious, finally dismisses Moses with threats. He tells Moses to leave and never appear before him again, warning that he will die if he does. This marks a complete breakdown in negotiations, with Pharaoh hardening his heart against God's escalating judgments, just before the final, terrible plague.
"Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me; take care never to see my face again, for on the day you see my face you shall die.” Moses said, “As you say! I will not see your face again.”" — Pharaoh's final command isn't just a dismissal; it's a complete severance of communication. He tells Moses to "see my face no more," which implies not just avoiding his presence, but ceasing to be a…
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Last reviewed October 2026
