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Exodus 3:19

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 3:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And I know that the king of Egypt will not give you leave to go, no, not by a mighty hand.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And I know that the king of Egypt will not give you leave to go, no, not by a mighty hand.
Exodus 3:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, hath appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and [seen] that which is done to you in Egypt:
17and I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.
18And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews, hath met with us: and now let us go, we pray thee, three days` journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to Jehovah our God.
19And I know that the king of Egypt will not give you leave to go, no, not by a mighty hand.
20And I will put forth my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.
21And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty.
22But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall despoil the Egyptians.
← Exodus 3:18Exodus 3:20 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, etc.] Or “but” f124 “I am sure”, etc. though so reasonable a request was made him, yet it would not be granted; this is observed to them, that they might not be discouraged when he should refuse to dismiss them, which the omniscient God knew beforehand, and acquaints them with it, that, when it came to pass, they might be induced to believe that the mission of Moses was of God, rather than the contrary: no, not by a mighty hand; the mighty power of God displayed once and again, even in nine plagues inflicted on him, until the tenth and last came upon him; or “unless by a mighty hand” f125, even the almighty hand of God; prayers,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“No, not - See the marginal rendering. Others explain it to mean, Pharaoh will not let the people go even when severely smitten. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I am sure he will not let you go - God sends his messengers to those whose obstinacy he foresees, that it may appear he would have them turn and live. Exodus 3:22”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:19 I know: See “Hardened Hearts” Theme Note.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“will not: Exo 5:2, Exo 7:4 no, not by a mighty hand: or, but by a strong hand, Exo 6:1, 7:1-14:31; Psa 136:11, Psa 136:12; Isa 63:12, Isa 63:13 Exodus 3:20”
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Related study paths

Read Exodus 3 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification