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Book of Exodus - Chapter 10 - Verse 28

10:28
And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.

Meaning

In this verse, we see Pharaoh expressing his anger and frustration towards Moses, the prophet of God. Pharaoh's command for Moses to leave and never return stems from his fear of the power and authority Moses represents, as an instrument of God's will. By instructing Moses to stay away and not see his face again, Pharaoh is essentially denying the presence and influence of God in his life. Pharaoh's threat that seeing his face again will result in death symbolizes his arrogance and defiance against the divine message that Moses is delivering. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's messengers and the repercussions of turning away from His guidance and commandments.

Theological Overview

In this verse, we see Pharaoh warning Moses to stay away from him and never appear before him again. The phrase "see my face no more" is significant as it symbolizes Pharaoh's final rejection of Moses and the God of the Israelites. In ancient Egypt, seeing someone's face held great importance and signified a close relationship or favor. By refusing Moses the chance to see his face again, Pharaoh is essentially severing any ties between them. Additionally, Pharaoh's declaration that Moses would die if he saw his face again highlights the power dynamics at play. Pharaoh believes that his presence is so formidable that anyone who encounters him is ultimately doomed. From a theological perspective, this verse can be interpreted as a symbol of the arrogance and pride of worldly rulers who oppose God's will. Pharaoh's refusal to acknowledge Moses foreshadows the battle between earthly powers and divine authority that will play out in the subsequent events of the Exodus narrative.

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