Exodus 10:7
Then Pharaoh’s servants said to him, “How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God. Do you not yet understand that Egypt is ruined?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Pharaoh's own servants are the ones who finally call out the futility of his resistance. They recognize Moses not as a mere adversary, but as a "snare," a source of ongoing disaster, and they fear the complete ruin of Egypt if Pharaoh continues to defy God.
Pharaoh’s advisors, witnessing the devastating plagues and fearing further ruin, finally intercede with their king. They urge him to release the Israelites, acknowledging that Moses and his God are a persistent threat causing Egypt’s downfall. Pharaoh, though shaken, still attempts to negotiate, proposing that only the men go to worship.
For the first time in the plague narrative, we hear from Pharaoh’s own officials. What pushed them to break their silence and challenge their king?
Up to this point, Pharaoh has been the sole voice of resistance, hardening his own heart. But now, his servants, his inner circle, step in. This isn't just about Moses; it's about the survival of Egypt.
A Shift in the Room
Pharaoh's servants call Moses a 'snare.' What does this reveal about their perspective, and how does it highlight the core conflict?
The term 'snare' (or 'stumbling-block') used by Pharaoh’s servants points to how they perceived Moses and the Israelites’ demands. It wasn't about theology for them; it was about a persistent source of trouble.
Trouble Personified
Understand the original words
môqēš · Hebrew Noun
A term often referring to a trap or a bait-stick in a snare, used metaphorically in Scripture to describe that which causes someone to stumble, fall, or meet their ruin. It represents a source of danger or enticement that leads to destruction.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the Almighty God of Israel, revealed to Moses, signifying His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His covenant promises. It is the personal, proper name of the God who redeems His people.
ʿāḇaḏ · Hebrew Verb
In a covenantal context, this denotes the act of religious duty, submission, and worship offered by a person to God. It involves laboring for, obeying, and honoring Him as one's sovereign Master.
ʾāḇaḏ · Hebrew Verb/Adjective
This verse highlights a critical turning point where the Egyptian elite, witnessing the devastating impact of God's judgment on their land, begin to pressure Pharaoh. Their pleas reveal that the plagues had not only terrified the Israelites but also the very people who benefited from the Egyptian system, showing that divine power was undeniable even to the oppressors.
~1440 BC
Israelites Enslaved in Egypt
The Israelites, having multiplied greatly in Egypt, were made slaves by a new dynasty of Pharaohs who feared their growing population and power.
~1440-1435 BC
Moses' Early Life and Ministry
Moses grew up in Pharaoh's household, killed an Egyptian, fled to Midian, and later was called by God at the burning bush to lead the Israelites out of slavery.
c. 1435 BC
The Ten Plagues Begin
God sent ten devastating plagues upon Egypt to force Pharaoh to release the Israelites. The plagues progressively worsened, affecting water, land, animals, and people.
c. 1435 BC
Plague of Hail and Crops Destroyed
A severe hailstorm destroyed much of Egypt's crops and livestock, causing immense devastation and fear among the Egyptians and their leaders.
This passage recounts God's mighty acts in Egypt, highlighting how He afflicted Pharaoh and his servants, echoing the 'ruin' the servants mention in Exodus 10:7.
Jeremiah 44:16Here, the people refuse to listen to Jeremiah's warnings, stating they will do whatever they want, which mirrors Pharaoh's stubborn refusal to let the Israelites go, leading to disaster.
Acts 7:39Stephen recounts how the Israelites in the wilderness 'turned back their hearts to Egypt,' showing how even after deliverance, the allure of the old 'ruined' system can remain a snare.
Romans 9:18This verse speaks of God having mercy on whom He wills and hardening whom He wills, directly relating to Pharaoh's hardened heart and the devastating consequences for Egypt.
2 Peter 2:7This passage describes the 'righteous Lot' being distressed by the 'sensual conduct of the lawless,' showing how the ungodly actions of a people can become a 'snare' and a distress to those who seek righteousness.
calvinExodus 10:7-11: "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?"
Dixerunt autem servi Pharaonis ad eum, Quousque erit hic vobis in offendiculum? Dimitte homines, ut serviant Jehovae Deo suo. An ante scies quod perierit AEgyptus? (vel, Antequam scies periisse Aegyptum.)
And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and be said unto them, Go, serve…
gillExodus 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?"
And Pharaoh's servants said to him,.... His courtiers and counsellors, such of them as were not so hardened as others, or however now began to relent, and dreaded what would be the consequence of things, even the ruin of the whole country, the good of which they seem to have had at heart: how long s…
Pharaoh's own servants are the ones who finally call out the futility of his resistance. They recognize Moses not as a mere adversary, but as a "snare," a source of ongoing disaster, and they fear the complete ruin of Egypt if Pharaoh continues to defy God.
Pharaoh’s advisors, witnessing the devastating plagues and fearing further ruin, finally intercede with their king. They urge him to release the Israelites, acknowledging that Moses and his God are a persistent threat causing Egypt’s downfall. Pharaoh, though shaken, still attempts to negotiate, proposing that only the men go to worship.
Pharaoh’s advisors, witnessing the devastating plagues and fearing further ruin, finally intercede with their king. They urge him to release the Israelites, acknowledging that Moses and his God are a persistent threat causing Egypt’s downfall. Pharaoh, though shaken, still attempts to negotiate, proposing that only the men go to worship.
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The servants’ desperate cry, 'Egypt is ruined!', lands with heavy weight. What was the state of Egypt at this point, and what did their plea imply?
By Exodus 10:7, Egypt had endured eight devastating plagues. The servants weren’t exaggerating; their nation was on the brink of collapse.
The Unraveling Nation
A state of total devastation, destruction, or paralysis, often used to describe the consequences of divine judgment upon a nation or a person due to rebellion against God.
c. 1435 BC— this verse
Pharaoh's Servants Intervene
Following the plague of hail and facing impending devastation from locusts, Pharaoh's own courtiers urged him to let the Israelites go, fearing total ruin for Egypt.
c. 1435 BC
Pharaoh Negotiates Release Terms
Shaken by the continuous plagues and the counsel of his servants, Pharaoh attempts to negotiate with Moses and Aaron, offering to let the men go but not the women and children.
c. 1435 BC
Exodus from Egypt
Finally yielding after the tenth plague (the death of the firstborn), Pharaoh allows the Israelites to leave Egypt, marking the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.
"Then Pharaoh’s servants said to him, “How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God. Do you not yet understand that Egypt is ruined?”" — Pharaoh's own servants are the ones who finally call out the futility of his resistance. They recognize Moses not as a mere adversary, but as a "snare," a source of ongoing disaster, and they fear th…
