Exodus 10:23
New International Version
No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
No one could see anyone else, and for three days no one left his place. Yet all the Israelites had light in their dwellings.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
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.

NASB 1995
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.

NASB 1977
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.

Legacy Standard Bible
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 places of habitation.

Amplified Bible
The Egyptians could not see one another, nor did anyone leave his place for three days, but all the Israelites had [supernatural] light in their dwellings.

Christian Standard Bible
One person could not see another, and for three days they did not move from where they were. Yet all the Israelites had light where they lived.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
One person could not see another, and for three days they did not move from where they were. Yet all the Israelites had light where they lived.

American Standard Version
they saw not one another, neither rose any one from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

Contemporary English Version
During that time, the Egyptians could not see each other or leave their homes, but there was light where the Israelites lived.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
People couldn't see each other, and no one went anywhere for three days. But all the Israelites had light where they were living.

Good News Translation
The Egyptians could not see each other, and no one left his house during that time. But the Israelites had light where they were living.

International Standard Version
No one could see anyone else, nor could anyone get up from his place for three days. But there was light for all the Israelis in their dwellings.

Majority Standard Bible
No one could see anyone else, and for three days no one left his place. Yet all the Israelites had light in their dwellings.

NET Bible
No one could see another person, and no one could rise from his place for three days. But the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.

New Heart English Bible
They did not see one another, neither did anyone rise from his place for three days; but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
they have not seen one another, and none has risen from his place [for] three days; but there has been light for all the sons of Israel in their dwellings.

Young's Literal Translation
they have not seen one another, and none hath risen from his place three days; and to all the sons of Israel there hath been light in their dwellings.'

Smith's Literal Translation
They saw not a man his brother, and they rose not up each from his lower part, three days: and to all the sons of Israel there was light in their dwellings.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
No man saw his brother, nor moved himself out of the place where he was: but wheresoever the children of Israel dwelt there was light.

Catholic Public Domain Version
No one saw his brother, nor moved himself out of the place where he was. But wherever the sons of Israel were living, there was light.

New American Bible
People could not see one another, nor could they get up from where they were, for three days. But all the Israelites had light where they lived.

New Revised Standard Version
People could not see one another, and for three days they could not move from where they were; but all the Israelites had light where they lived.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They did not see one another, nor rose any from his place for three days; but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
No man saw his brother, and no man arose from his place for three days, and for all the children of Israel there was light among their dwellings.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And for three days no man saw his brother, and no man rose up from his bed for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in all the places where they were.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Ninth Plague: Darkness
22So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and total darkness covered all the land of Egypt for three days. 23No one could see anyone else, and for three days no one left his place. Yet all the Israelites had light in their dwellings. 24Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, “Go, worship the LORD. Even your little ones may go with you; only your flocks and herds must stay behind.”…

Cross References
John 1:5
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Matthew 27:45
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.

Mark 15:33
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.

Luke 23:44
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour.

Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

1 John 1:6-7
If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. / But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

Colossians 1:13
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 60:2
For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you.

Psalm 105:28
He sent darkness, and it became dark—yet they defied His words.

Amos 5:18
Woe to you who long for the Day of the LORD! What will the Day of the LORD be for you? It will be darkness and not light.

Joel 2:2
a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like the dawn overspreading the mountains a great and strong army appears, such as never was of old, nor will ever be in ages to come.

Zephaniah 1:15
That day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness,


Treasury of Scripture

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.

but all

Exodus 8:22
And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.

Exodus 9:4,26
And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel…

Exodus 14:20
And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

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Able Children Dwellings Dwelt Israel Israelites Light Places Rise Rose Three
Exodus 10
1. God threatens to send locusts
7. Pharaoh, moved by his servants, inclines to let the Israelites go
12. The plague of the locusts
16. Pharaoh entreats Moses
21. The plague of darkness
24. Pharaoh again entreats Moses, but yet is hardened














No one could see
This phrase highlights the profound darkness that enveloped Egypt during the ninth plague. The Hebrew word for "see" is "ra'ah," which implies not just physical sight but also understanding and perception. This darkness was not merely an absence of light but a tangible, oppressive force that prevented any form of discernment or movement. In a spiritual sense, this darkness symbolizes the blindness of the Egyptians to the truth of God's power and sovereignty.

one another
The inability to see "one another" underscores the isolation and disconnection caused by the plague. In a society where community and relationships were vital, this darkness severed the bonds between individuals, reflecting the spiritual separation from God that sin causes. Historically, this plague would have disrupted daily life, commerce, and social interaction, emphasizing the totality of God's judgment.

nor did anyone leave his place
The phrase "leave his place" indicates a complete halt to normal activities. The Hebrew word "qum," meaning to rise or stand, suggests that the Egyptians were immobilized, both physically and spiritually. This immobility can be seen as a metaphor for the paralysis that sin and rebellion against God bring into a person's life. The darkness was so pervasive that it forced the Egyptians to remain in their homes, unable to function or escape.

for three days
The duration of "three days" is significant in biblical numerology, often symbolizing completeness or divine intervention. This period of darkness can be seen as a precursor to the resurrection of Christ, who was in the tomb for three days before rising again, bringing light and life to a darkened world. Historically, three days of darkness would have been a severe test of endurance and faith, highlighting the Egyptians' need for deliverance and the futility of their gods.

Yet all the Israelites had light
This contrast between the Egyptians and the Israelites is profound. The "light" that the Israelites experienced is not just physical illumination but also represents the presence and favor of God. The Hebrew word "or" for light is often associated with life, joy, and salvation. This divine light set the Israelites apart, demonstrating God's covenant faithfulness and His power to protect and provide for His people even in the midst of judgment. This distinction serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual light that believers have in Christ, who is the Light of the World.

(23) They saw not one another.--Heb., man did not see his brother. The darkness was absolute, equal to that of the darkest night.

Neither rose any from his place.--Comp. Exodus 16:29. No one quitted his house. Mr. Millington imagines that they all sat "glued to their seats" (Plagues of Egypt, p. 159), but this savours of over-literalism. It is not necessary to suppose that they had no artificial light, or that they ceased to move from chamber to chamber. What the writer intends to note is that all business and all intercourse with neighbours was suspended. No one quitted the house in which he was when the darkness began.

All the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.--The visitation, whatever it was, did not extend to the land of Goshen. (Comp. Exodus 8:22-24; Exodus 9:4-7; Exodus 9:26.)

Verse 23. - They saw not one another. Or, "Man did not see his brother." The descriptive phrases previously used are poetic, and might imply many different degrees of obscurity. This seems distinctly to shew that pitch darkness is meant. Such absolute obscurity is far beyond anything which the khamsin produces, even when it is most severe, and indicates the miraculous character of the visitation. Neither rose any from his place for three days. It is not meant that no one moved about his house, but that no one quitted it. (Compare Exodus 16:29, where the phrase used is similar.) No one went out into the unnatural darkness out of doors, which he dreaded. All stayed at home, and did what they had to do by the artificial light of lamps or torches. All the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. It is not explained how this was effected. Some suppose that the sand-storm did not extend to the land of Goshen. But in that case, such Egyptians as lived among the Israelites - their neighbours. (Exodus 11:2) - would have shared the benefit, which seems not to have been the case. I should rather suppose that the storm was general, and that the Israelites were supplied with a light, not that of the sun, by miracle.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
No
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

one
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

could see
רָא֞וּ (rā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7200: To see

each other,
אָחִ֗יו (’ā·ḥîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

and for three
שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת (šə·lō·šeṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

days
יָמִ֑ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

no one
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

left
קָ֛מוּ (qā·mū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

his place.
מִתַּחְתָּ֖יו (mit·taḥ·tāw)
Preposition-m | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

Yet all
וּֽלְכָל־ (ū·lə·ḵāl-)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the Israelites
בְּנֵ֧י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

had
הָ֥יָה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

light
א֖וֹר (’ō·wr)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 216: Illumination, luminary

in their dwellings.
בְּמוֹשְׁבֹתָֽם׃ (bə·mō·wō·šə·ḇō·ṯām)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4186: A seat, assembly, dwelling place, dwelling, dwellers


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OT Law: Exodus 10:23 They didn't see one another neither did (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 10:22
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