The Ninth Plague (Exodus 10:21-29)

21 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt [because one had to grope around].” 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. 23 They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light [the contrast element that is part of the third cycle] where they lived. [Imagine the terror of suddenly going blind and being unable to see at all. This is the kind of darkness described, where people did not leave their own homes. That kind of darkness and sensory deprivation would lead one into depression, and that was how the darkness was felt. Animals would die in this darkness and no food could grow.] 24 Then Pharaoh called Moses and said, “Go, serve the Lord; your little ones also may go with you; only let your flocks and your herds remain behind.” [Pharaoh offers another compromise, one designed to guarantee the Israelites return.] 25 But Moses said, “You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God. [Sacrifices meant shared and eaten meals of animals whereas a burn offering was of an animal entirely given to God by burning it in the fire.] 26 Our livestock also must go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind, for we must take of them to serve the Lord our God, and we do not know with what we must serve the Lord until we arrive there.” [Moses honestly tells Pharaoh that not all has been revealed to him.] 27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. 28 Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me; take care never to see my face again [all bargaining is over], for on the day you see my face you shall die.” [Moses will be put to death if he returns. Pharaoh not only rejects God, but he blames Moses. He was trying to get rid of the problem of God’s demands by taking out God’s messenger and keeping him from bringing God’s demands to his attention.] 29 Moses said, “As you say! I will not see your face again.” [Another translation could be, “You’ve said the very thing! I will not keep seeing your face!” In other words, Pharaoh himself has predicted the future. Moses would not need to come back and these two men would indeed not see one another again.]