Exodus 10:21 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 10:21-29

Here is, I. The plague of darkness brought upon Egypt, and a most dreadful plague it was, and therefore is put first of the ten in Ps. 105:28; though it was one of the last; and in the destruction of the spiritual Egypt it is produced by the fifth vial, which is poured out upon the seat of the beast, Rev. 16:10. His kingdom was full of darkness. Observe particularly concerning this plague, 1. That it was a total darkness. We have reason to think, not only that the lights of heaven were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 10:21

And the Lord said unto Moses ,.... About the eleventh day of the month Abib: stretch out thine hand toward heaven ; where the luminaries are, and from whence light comes: that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt ; that is, what caused it, the gross vapours and thick fogs; for otherwise darkness itself, being a privation of light, cannot be felt: Onkelos paraphrases it,"after that the darkness of the night is removed;'so Jonathan; that it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 10:21

Darkness which may be felt - Probably this was occasioned by a superabundance of aqueous vapors floating in the atmosphere, which were so thick as to prevent the rays of the sun from penetrating through them; an extraordinarily thick mist supernaturally, i.e., miraculously, brought on. An awful emblem of the darkened state of the Egyptians and their king. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 10:21

Verse 21 21.And the Lord said unto Moses. God here inflicts the punishment without denouncing it; because Pharaoh had deceitfully broken his promise of being obedient to His word. Since, therefore, he had so wickedly abused God’s clemency, he must needs be suddenly overtaken by a new calamity, that he might in the darkness feel God’s avenging hand, which he had despised. Nor, indeed, would he have been alarmed by menaces; as it will directly appear, that, when he was warned of the death of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 10:7-21

The plague of locusts. Of the two principal terms used to denote "hardening," one means "to strengthen, or make firm," the other, "to make heavy, or obtuse." It is the latter of these (used also in Exodus 8:15 , Exodus 8:32 ; Exodus 9:7 ) which is used in Exodus 9:34 , and Exodus 10:1 . The growing obtuseness of Pharaoh's mind is very apparent from the narrative. He is losing the power of right judgment. He began by hardening himself (making his heart strong and firm) against... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 10:20-29

The Ninth Plague-the darkness. I. CONSIDER THE PLAGUE ITSELF . As with the plagues of the gnats and of the boils and blains, so with this plague—there is no record of any formal intimation of its coming. If such an intimation was absent, we feel that there was good reason for the absence. Though Pharaoh had abased himself in great fear and consternation, so that he might get rid of the locusts, yet the moment they were gone all his stubbornness returned in full force. What use... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 10:21

Darkness which may be felt . Literally, "and one shall feel, or grasp, darkness." The hyperbole is no doubt extreme; but the general sentiment of mankind has approved the phrase, which exactly expresses what men feel in absolute and complete darkness. Kalisch renders, "a darkness in which men grope." But the grammatical construction does not allow of this. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 10:21

A darkness which might be felt suggests the existence of a darkness which is not felt. Consider:— I. THE UNFELT DARKNESS . [ Illustration. Stream in summer on sunny day reflects sun, sky, etc. Contrast with condition in winter, hard, dull, icebound; it has hardened and no longer reflects. If it could be conscious, still flowing on, it might not feel much difference, scarcely aware of the strange casing shutting it out from warmth and beauty.] Pharaoh and his people, like... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 10:21-23

The children of darkness have darkness, and the children of light have light as their portion. From the beginning of the creation God "divided the light from the darkness" ( Genesis 1:4 ); and ever since the two have been antagonistic the one to the other. Angels as well as men are divided into two classes—bright and glorious spirits that dwell in the light of God's presence, and are called" angels of light" ( 2 Corinthians 11:14 ); and gloomy spirits of evil, whom God has reserved in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 10:21-29

1 . In its extent, covering as it did "all the land d Egypt;" 2 . In its intensity—"they saw not one another" ( Exodus 10:23 )—"darkness which may be felt" ( Exodus 10:21 ); 3 . In its circumscription, extending, as it did, to all Egypt except only the land of Goshen ( Exodus 10:23 ). These circumstances made Pharaoh at once recognise its heaven-sent character, and request its removal of Moses, whom he sought to persuade by conceding the departure of the Israelites with... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 10:21-29

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 10:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 10:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 10:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 10:7-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 10:20-29

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 10:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 10:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 10:21-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 10:21-29

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