Exodus 10:11
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Pharaoh compromises: only the men may go to worship the LORD, since that is what the Israelites desired. Moses and Aaron are then driven from his presence.
Context
Pharaoh's 'compromise' is actually a severe restriction. By allowing only the men to leave, he holds women, children, and livestock as hostages, effectively preventing Israel's true departure. This negotiation reveals the deepest conflict: not over worship but over control and complete liberation.
What Does Exodus 10:11 Mean?
Pharaoh's 'compromise' is actually a severe restriction. By allowing only the men to leave, he holds women, children, and livestock as hostages, effectively preventing Israel's true departure. This negotiation reveals the deepest conflict: not over worship but over control and complete liberation.
The abrupt expulsion—'they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence'—signals the end of negotiation. Pharaoh, unable to reverse the plagues or maintain his terms, resorts to force. Yet this expulsion sets the stage for the final plague, showing that Pharaoh's limited concession is insufficient to stop God's judgment.