Exodus 9:2 Meaning and Explanation
“For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God announces the consequence of Pharaoh's continued refusal to release Israel.
The Context of Exodus 9:2
God prepares Pharaoh for the plague of livestock disease by laying out the conditional warning.
What Does Exodus 9:2 Mean?
The word 'if' signals a choice with consequences. Pharaoh has refused repeatedly, and God makes plain that refusal brings judgment. The language is conditional but pointed—God offers a path of obedience and a path of hardship.
Holding the people represents Pharaoh's will set against God's. The text presents this as an active choice, not inevitability. Each refusal carries weight.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 9:2
What does Exodus 9:2 mean?
God announces the consequence of Pharaoh's continued refusal to release Israel.
What is the context of Exodus 9:2?
God prepares Pharaoh for the plague of livestock disease by laying out the conditional warning.