What is the meaning of Exodus 10:10?

Then Pharaoh told them

Pharaoh’s response follows Moses’ bold demand that everyone—men, women, and little ones—be allowed to worship God in the wilderness (Exodus 10:8-9).

• Having already endured the plague of locusts foretold in verses 4-6, Pharaoh’s pride is wounded, yet he still postures as the one in control (compare Exodus 5:2; 9:27-28).

• His words reveal hardened resistance foretold by God (Exodus 4:21; 7:3-4), underscoring the Lord’s sovereignty over even obstinate rulers (Romans 9:17).

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May the LORD be with you

Pharaoh invokes the covenant name of Israel’s God—YHWH—likely with sarcasm.

• He has witnessed the Lord’s power through eight plagues, yet refuses to submit (Exodus 8:19; 9:16).

• Ironically, his words foreshadow God’s actual presence with Israel once they depart (Exodus 13:21-22; Matthew 28:20).

• Scripture often records unbelievers acknowledging God’s hand while still resisting Him (Numbers 23:11-12; Luke 8:28-31).

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if I ever let you go with your little ones

Pharaoh draws a hard line: the children must stay.

• He previously offered partial compromises—allowing only the men (Exodus 10:11) or keeping the livestock (Exodus 10:24).

• Keeping families hostage would guarantee Israel’s return; Satan likewise seeks to divide families and hinder wholehearted worship (Nehemiah 4:14; Ephesians 6:4).

• God, however, commands entire households to serve Him together (Joshua 24:15; Joel 2:16).

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Clearly you are bent on evil

Pharaoh accuses Moses and Aaron of plotting harm, projecting his own malicious intent onto God’s people.

• This mirrors earlier accusations that Israelites were lazy (Exodus 5:8). Evil rulers often deflect blame (1 Kings 18:17; Acts 17:6-7).

• Jesus noted a similar inversion when opponents called good “evil” and evil “good” (John 8:44; Isaiah 5:20).

• Pharaoh’s slander anticipates the final plague, where his own evil will be exposed (Exodus 11:4-8).

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summary

Exodus 10:10 captures Pharaoh’s hardened heart: he sarcastically invokes the Lord’s name, manipulates with partial concessions, and labels God’s servants as evil. The verse underscores God’s sovereign prediction of Pharaoh’s resistance and sets the stage for Israel’s complete deliverance. By refusing to let the children go, Pharaoh reveals the enemy’s strategy to fracture families, yet God will protect and bring out the whole nation, proving His faithfulness and power.