They didn’t see one another, and nobody rose from his place for three days; but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
Parallel translations
- KJV They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
- BSB No one could see anyone else, and for three days no one left his place. Yet all the Israelites had light in their dwellings.
- ESV They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived.
- NKJV They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
- NASB They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the sons of Israel had light in their dwellings.
- NLT During all that time the people could not see each other, and no one moved. But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Egyptians could not see or move for three days, but Israel had light in their homes. God again distinguishes and blesses his people.
Overview
The contrast between Egypt's paralyzing darkness and Israel's light vividly marks God's distinction between the two peoples. While Egypt is immobilized, God's people dwell in light, picturing his favor. This separation of light and darkness echoes throughout Scripture as an image of salvation and judgment. It foreshadows Christ, the light of the world, in whom God's people walk.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Exod 8:22I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end you may know that I am Yahweh on the earth.
- Exod 9:4Yahweh will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt; and nothing shall die of all that belongs to the children of Israel.”’”
- 1 Pet 2:9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
- Isa 42:16I will bring the blind by a way that they don’t know. I will lead them in paths that they don’t know. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. I will do these things, and I will not forsake them.
- Isa 65:13–14Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh, “Behold, my servants will eat, but you will be hungry; behold, my servants will drink, but you will be thirsty. Behold, my servants will rejoice, but you will be disappointed;
- Isa 60:1–3“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and Yahweh’s glory has risen on you.
- Exod 9:26Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail.
- Col 1:13who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love;
- Exod 14:20It came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud and the darkness, yet gave it light by night: and one didn’t come near the other all night.
- Mal 3:18Then you shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who doesn’t serve him.
- Josh 24:7When they cried out to Yahweh, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea on them, and covered them; and your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. You lived in the wilderness many days.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
The Passover lamb whose blood turns away death, the exodus through the sea, the manna, the rock, and the tabernacle where God dwells with his people all foreshadow Jesus — our Passover, our redemption, the bread from heaven, and God-with-us in the flesh.
How Exodus 10:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.