Exodus 8:20
New International Version
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning and confront Pharaoh as he goes to the river and say to him, ‘This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.

New Living Translation
Then the LORD told Moses, “Get up early in the morning and stand in Pharaoh’s way as he goes down to the river. Say to him, ‘This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.

English Standard Version
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh, as he goes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And the LORD said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.

New American Standard Bible
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh, as he comes out to the water; and say to him, ‘This is what the LORD says: “Let My people go, so that they may serve Me.

NASB 1995
Now the LORD said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh, as he comes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.

NASB 1977
Now the LORD said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh, as he comes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Yahweh said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water, and you shall say to him, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.

Amplified Bible
Now the LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he is coming out to the water [of the Nile], and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Let My people go, so that they may serve Me.

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh when you see him going out to the water. Tell him: This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh when you see him going out to the water. Tell him: This is what Yahweh says: Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD said to Moses: Early tomorrow morning, while the king is on his way to the river, go and say to him, "The LORD commands you to let his people go, so they can worship him.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Early in the morning, stand in Pharaoh's way when he's going to the Nile. Say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: Let my people go to worship me.

Good News Translation
The LORD said to Moses, "Early tomorrow morning go and meet the king as he goes to the river, and tell him that the LORD says, 'Let my people go, so that they can worship me.

International Standard Version
The LORD told Moses, "Get up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he's going down to the water. You are to say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: "Let my people go so they can serve me.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
The LORD said to Moses, "Get up early in the morning and position yourself before Pharaoh as he goes out to the water, and tell him, 'Thus says the LORD, "Release my people that they may serve me!

New Heart English Bible
The LORD said to Moses, "Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; look, he comes forth to the water; and tell him, 'This is what the LORD says, "Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD said to Moses, Rise early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; (lo, he cometh forth to the water) and say to him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

World English Bible
Yahweh 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 Yahweh says, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And YHWH says to Moses, “Rise early in the morning, and station yourself before Pharaoh, behold, he is going out to the waters, and you have said to him, Thus said YHWH: Send My people away, and they serve Me;

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Rise early in the morning, and station thyself before Pharaoh, lo, he is going out to the waters, and thou hast said unto him, Thus said Jehovah, Send My people away, and they serve Me;

Smith's Literal Translation
The original Julia E. Smith Bible records the following as a verse reference for Exodus 8:16And Jehovah will say to Moses, Rise early in the morning, and thou shalt stand before Pharaoh (behold he will go forth to the water); and say to him, Thus said Jehovah, Send forth my people, and they shall serve me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The Lord also said to Moses: Arise early, and stand before Pharao: for he will go forth to the waters: and thou shalt say to him: Thus saith the Lord: Let my people go to sacrifice to me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The Lord also said to Moses: “Arise at first light, and stand in the sight of Pharaoh, for he will go out to the waters. And you will say to him: ‘Thus says the Lord: Release my people to sacrifice to me.

New American Bible
Then the LORD spoke to Moses: Early tomorrow morning present yourself to Pharaoh when he sets out toward the water, and say to him: Thus says the LORD: Let my people go to serve me.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh, as he goes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the LORD said to Moses, Rise up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he goes out again to his daily duty; and say to him, Thus says the LORD, Let my people go that they may serve me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH said to Moshe: “Arise at dawn and stand before Pharaoh; behold, he will go out to the water, and say to him: “Thus says LORD JEHOVAH, ‘Send out my people and they will serve me.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord said to Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharao: and behold, he will go forth to the water, and thou shalt say to him, These things says the Lord: Send away my people, that they may serve me in the wilderness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Fourth Plague: Flies
20Then 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. 21But 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.…

Cross References
Exodus 9:1
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to 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.

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.

Exodus 10:3
So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, “This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.

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.’”

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 4:22-23
Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son, / 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 6:10-11
So the LORD said to Moses, / “Go and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his land.”

Exodus 7:2
You are to speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his land.

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.

Exodus 10:24
Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, “Go, worship the LORD. Even your little ones may go with you; only your flocks and herds must stay behind.”

Exodus 12:31
Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.

Exodus 14:5
When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.”

Exodus 18:10-11
Jethro declared, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who has delivered the people from the hand of the Egyptians. / Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for He did this when they treated Israel with arrogance.”

Psalm 105:26-36
He sent Moses His servant, and Aaron, whom He had chosen. / They performed His miraculous signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. / He sent darkness, and it became dark—yet they defied His words. ...

Psalm 78:43-51
when He performed His signs in Egypt and His wonders in the fields of Zoan. / He turned their rivers to blood, and from their streams they could not drink. / He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And the LORD said to Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; see, he comes forth to the water; and say to him, Thus said the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

lo

Exodus 7:15
Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.

let my

Exodus 8:1
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.

Jump to Previous
Early Forth Morning Moses Pharaoh Present Rise Serve Stand Water
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Early Forth Morning Moses Pharaoh Present Rise Serve Stand Water
Exodus 8
1. Frogs are sent
8. Pharaoh complains to Moses, who by prayer removes them
16. The dust is turned into lice, which the magicians could not do
20. The plague of flies
25. Pharaoh inclines to let the people go, but yet is hardened














Then the LORD said to Moses
This phrase introduces the divine command, emphasizing the direct communication between God and Moses. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, highlighting His eternal and self-existent nature. This underscores the personal relationship God has with His chosen leader, Moses, and His active role in the deliverance of His people. Historically, this reflects the unique position Moses held as a prophet and leader, chosen to mediate between God and the Israelites.

Get up early in the morning
The instruction to "get up early" signifies urgency and diligence. In the ancient Near Eastern context, early morning was a time for important activities, symbolizing readiness and commitment. This phrase suggests that Moses must be prompt and obedient in carrying out God's commands, reflecting the seriousness of the mission at hand.

and present yourself to Pharaoh
The phrase "present yourself" implies a bold and courageous act. Moses is to stand before Pharaoh, the most powerful ruler of the time, as God's representative. This act of confrontation is significant, as it demonstrates God's authority over earthly powers. The historical context here is crucial, as Pharaoh was considered a god-king in Egyptian culture, yet Moses, armed with God's authority, is to challenge him directly.

As he goes out to the water
This detail about Pharaoh going out to the water is significant. It likely refers to Pharaoh's morning ritual at the Nile, which was considered sacred in Egyptian religion. The Nile was a source of life and sustenance, and Pharaoh's presence there underscores his role as a divine figure in maintaining cosmic order. By confronting Pharaoh at this moment, God is challenging the very heart of Egyptian religious and cultural identity.

and tell him, 'This is what the LORD says
The phrase "This is what the LORD says" is a prophetic formula, asserting that the message comes directly from God. It carries the weight of divine authority and truth. In the Hebrew tradition, prophets were messengers of God, and their words were to be heeded as God's own. This underscores the seriousness of the message Moses is to deliver and the expectation of obedience from Pharaoh.

Let My people go, so that they may worship Me
The command "Let My people go" is a central theme in the Exodus narrative. It highlights God's desire for His people's freedom and their purpose to worship Him. The Hebrew word for "worship" can also mean "serve," indicating that true freedom is found in serving and worshiping God. This phrase encapsulates the spiritual and physical liberation God intends for the Israelites, setting the stage for their journey to the Promised Land. Historically, this demand challenges the socio-political structure of Egypt, where the Israelites were enslaved, and asserts God's sovereignty over all nations.

THE FOURTH PLAGUE.

(20, 21) There is. again, a doubt as to the nature of the fourth plague. In the original it is called the plague of "the 'ar�b." which is used throughout in the singular number. The LXX. translate ha-'arob by "the dog-fly" (? ????????). The Jewish commentators connect the word with the root 'ereb or 'arab, and suppose it to designate either a mixed multitude of all kinds of wild beasts (Josephus and Jonathan), or a mixture of all sorts of insects (Aquila, &c). Moderns generally agree with the LXX. that a definite species of animal--probably an insect--is meant, but doubt about the particular creature. The dog-fly, it is said (Musca canina), is not a pest in houses, as the 'arob was (Exodus 8:21; Exodus 8:24), nor does it do any damage to the land (Exodus 8:24). It is therefore suggested that the plague was really one of the kakerlaque, a kind of beetle, which is injurious both to the persons of men, to the furniture and fittings of houses, and to the crops in the fields. It is in favour of the kakerlaque that, like all beetles, it was sacred, and might not be destroyed, being emblematic of the sun-god, Ra, especially in his form of Khepra, or "the creator." Egyptians were obliged to submit to such a plague without attempting to diminish it, and would naturally view the infliction as a sign that the sun-god was angry with them. They would also suffer grievously in person, for the kakerlaque "inflicts very painful bites with its jaws" (Kalisch); and they would begin for the first time to suffer in their property, which neither the frogs nor the mosquitoes had damaged. The plague was thus--if one of the kakerlaque--an advance on previous plagues, and if less disgusting than some others, was far more injurious.

(20) Early in the morning.--Comp. Exodus 7:15; and on the early habits of an Egyptian king, see Herod. ii. 172.

He cometh forth to the water.--It is conjectured that this was on the occasion of the great autumn festival, when, after the retirement of the Nile within its banks, and the scattering of the grain upon the fresh deposit of mud, the first blades of corn began to appear. It is not improbable that Khepra, "the creator," was then especially worshipped. . . .

Verses 20-24. - It has been noticed that - setting apart the last and most terrible of the plagues, which stands as it were by itself - the remainder divide themselves into three groups of three each - two in each group coming with a warning, and the third without. (See Exodus 8:16; Exodus 9:8; Exodus 10:21.) In other respects, no great regularity is observable. There is a general principle of increasing severity in the afflictions, but it does not obtain throughout the entire series. The first three caused annoyance, rather than actual injury, either to persons or property. Of the next three, two were upon property, one upon both property and person (Exodus 9:10). Of the remaining three, two again inflicted injury on property, while one (the plague of darkness) was a mere personal annoyance. The exact character of the fourth plague depends on the proper translation of the word arob. The Jewish commentators connected this word with Ereb and 'Arab, words meaning "mingled" or "mixed;" and supposed a mixed multitude of animals - beasts, reptiles, and insects - to be meant. But the expression used throughout, which is ha-'arob, "the arob," marks very clearly a single definite species. So much was clear to the LXX., who rendered the word by κυνόμυια, "the dog-fly," which is not the common house-fly (Musca domestica), but a distinct species (Musca canina). Flies of this kind are said to constitute a terrible affliction in Egypt (Philo, De vit. Mos. 2. p. 101; Munk, Palestine, p. 120; etc.); but they attack men chiefly, and do no harm to houses or to the fruits of the field, whereas the 'arob is spoken of as a pest in the houses, and as "destroying the land" (verse 24). It has been, therefore, suggested that the Blatta orientalis, or kakerlaque, a kind of beetle, is really intended. These creatures suddenly appear upon the Nile in great numbers; they "inflict very painful bites with their jaws; gnaw and destroy clothes, household furniture, leather, and articles of every kind, and either consume or render unavailable all eatables"(Kalisch). They sometimes drive persons out of their houses; and they also devastate the fields. Verse 20. - Lo, he cometh forth to the water. See Exodus 7:15, and comment. It is suspected that on this occasion Pharaoh "went to the Nile with a procession to open the solemn festival "held in the autumn when the inundation was beginning to abate (Cook). Say unto him. Repeat, i.e., the Divine command so often given (Exodus 5:1; Exodus 7:16; Exodus 8:1).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the LORD
יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Moses,
מֹשֶׁ֗ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

“Get up early
הַשְׁכֵּ֤ם (haš·kêm)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7925: To load up, to start early in the morning

in the morning,
בַּבֹּ֙קֶר֙ (bab·bō·qer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

and when Pharaoh
פַרְעֹ֔ה (p̄ar·‘ōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

goes out
יוֹצֵ֣א (yō·w·ṣê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

to the water,
הַמָּ֑יְמָה (ham·mā·yə·māh)
Article | Noun - masculine plural | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

stand
וְהִתְיַצֵּב֙ (wə·hiṯ·yaṣ·ṣêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3320: To set or station oneself, take one's stand

before him
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

and tell
וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ (wə·’ā·mar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

him that
אֵלָ֗יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

this is what
כֹּ֚ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

says:
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Let My people
עַמִּ֖י (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

go,
שַׁלַּ֥ח (šal·laḥ)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

so that they may worship Me.
וְיַֽעַבְדֻֽנִי׃ (wə·ya·‘aḇ·ḏu·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave


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OT Law: Exodus 8:20 Yahweh said to Moses Rise up early (Exo. Ex)
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