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Exodus 9:2 But if you continue to restrain them and refuse to let them go,
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 9:2 But if you continue to restrain them and refuse to let them go,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/9-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/02_Exo_09_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 9:2 - The Fifth Plague: Livestock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But if you continue to restrain them and refuse to let them go," /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/9-1.htm" title="Exodus 9:1">◄</a> Exodus 9:2 <a href="/exodus/9-3.htm" title="Exodus 9:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them back,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If you continue to hold them and refuse to let them go,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you continue to restrain them and refuse to let them go,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For if thou refuse to let <i>them</i> go, and wilt hold them still,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For if you refuse to let <i>them</i> go, and still hold them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if you refuse to let <i>them</i> go and continue to hold them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“For if you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“For if you refuse to let <i>them</i> go, and continue to hold them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For if you refuse to let <i>them</i> go and continue to hold them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But if you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you refuse to let them go and keep holding them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you refuse to let them go and keep holding them, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you keep refusing, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them [in slavery],<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If you again refuse to let them go, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But if you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you continue to restrain them and refuse to let them go,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For if you refuse to release them and continue holding them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For if you refuse to let them go, and hold them still,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For if thou shalt refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For if you refuse to let them go, and hold them still, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for if you are refusing to send [them] away, and are still keeping hold on them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for, if thou art refusing to send away, and art still keeping hold upon them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For if thou refusest to send forth, but yet thou holdest fast upon them,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But if thou refuse, and withhold them still: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But if you still refuse, and you retain them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For if you refuse to let them go and persist in holding them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For if you refuse to let them go (and until now you have withheld them),<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if you choose not to send away, and until now you are holding onto them,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />If however thou wilt not send my people away, but yet detainest them:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/9-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=1958" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/9.htm">The Fifth Plague: Livestock</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">But</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">if</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/5750.htm" title="5750: wə·‘ō·wḏ·ḵā (Conj-w:: Adv:: 2ms) -- Or rod; from uwd; properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially, again, repeatedly, still, more.">continue</a> <a href="/hebrew/2388.htm" title="2388: ma·ḥă·zîq (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong, obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer.">to restrain</a> <a href="/hebrew/bām (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/3986.htm" title="3986: mā·’ên (Adj-ms) -- Refusing. From ma'en; unwilling.">and refuse</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: lə·šal·lê·aḥ (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">to let them go,</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>then the hand of the LORD will bring a severe plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/5-1.htm">Exodus 5:1-2</a></span><br />After that, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” / But Pharaoh replied, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/7-16.htm">Exodus 7:16</a></span><br />Then say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to tell you: Let My people go, so that they may worship Me in the wilderness. But until now you have not listened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/8-1.htm">Exodus 8:1-2</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. / But if you refuse to let them go, I will plague your whole country with frogs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/10-3.htm">Exodus 10:3-4</a></span><br />So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, “This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. / But if you refuse to let My people go, I will bring locusts into your territory tomorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/11-9.htm">Exodus 11:9-10</a></span><br />The LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” / Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he would not let the Israelites go out of his land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-17.htm">Exodus 14:17</a></span><br />And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. Then I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army and chariots and horsemen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-22.htm">Deuteronomy 6:22</a></span><br />Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-19.htm">Deuteronomy 7:19</a></span><br />the great trials that you saw, the signs and wonders, and the mighty hand and outstretched arm by which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/11-3.htm">Deuteronomy 11:3-4</a></span><br />the signs and works He did in Egypt to Pharaoh king of Egypt and all his land; / what He did to the Egyptian army and horses and chariots when He made the waters of the Red Sea engulf them as they pursued you, and how He destroyed them completely, even to this day;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-43.htm">Psalm 78:43-51</a></span><br />when He performed His signs in Egypt and His wonders in the fields of Zoan. / He turned their rivers to blood, and from their streams they could not drink. / He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-27.htm">Psalm 105:27-36</a></span><br />They performed His miraculous signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. / He sent darkness, and it became dark—yet they defied His words. / He turned their waters to blood and caused their fish to die. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/135-8.htm">Psalm 135:8-9</a></span><br />He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, of both man and beast. / He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/136-10.htm">Psalm 136:10-12</a></span><br />He struck down the firstborn of Egypt His loving devotion endures forever. / and brought Israel out from among them His loving devotion endures forever. / with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. His loving devotion endures forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-36.htm">Acts 7:36</a></span><br />He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-17.htm">Romans 9:17-18</a></span><br />For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” / Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For if you refuse to let them go, and will hold them still,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/4-23.htm">Exodus 4:23</a></b></br> And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, <i>even</i> thy firstborn.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/8-2.htm">Exodus 8:2</a></b></br> And if thou refuse to let <i>them</i> go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/10-4.htm">Exodus 10:4</a></b></br> Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/15-2.htm">Continue</a> <a href="/exodus/6-5.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/exodus/5-5.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/exodus/6-6.htm">Power</a> <a href="/exodus/8-2.htm">Refuse</a> <a href="/exodus/8-2.htm">Refusing</a> <a href="/philemon/1-13.htm">Retain</a> <a href="/exodus/8-21.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/21-21.htm">Continue</a> <a href="/exodus/10-9.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/exodus/20-6.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/exodus/9-16.htm">Power</a> <a href="/exodus/10-3.htm">Refuse</a> <a href="/exodus/10-4.htm">Refusing</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/29-14.htm">Retain</a> <a href="/exodus/9-17.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/9-1.htm">The plague on livestock</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/9-8.htm">The plague of boils</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/9-13.htm">The message of Moses about the hail,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/9-22.htm">The plague of hail</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/9-27.htm">Pharaoh pleads with Moses, but yet is hardened</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But if you continue to restrain them</b><br>This phrase addresses Pharaoh's persistent refusal to release the Israelites from bondage. The Hebrew word for "restrain" implies a deliberate act of holding back or preventing freedom. This reflects Pharaoh's hardened heart, a recurring theme in Exodus, where God allows Pharaoh's heart to harden to demonstrate His power and glory (<a href="/exodus/4-21.htm">Exodus 4:21</a>). The act of restraining the Israelites is symbolic of sin's grip on humanity, which only divine intervention can break. This also foreshadows the spiritual bondage from which Christ delivers believers, as seen in <a href="/john/8-36.htm">John 8:36</a>, where Jesus declares that the Son sets people free indeed.<p><b>and refuse to let them go,</b><br>Pharaoh's refusal is not just a political decision but a spiritual defiance against God's command. The phrase "let them go" is central to the narrative of Exodus, emphasizing God's demand for His people's liberation. This refusal sets the stage for the subsequent plagues, which serve as judgments against Egypt's gods and demonstrate Yahweh's supremacy (<a href="/exodus/12-12.htm">Exodus 12:12</a>). Theologically, this reflects the struggle between divine will and human obstinacy. It also prefigures the ultimate liberation from sin through Christ, as seen in <a href="/romans/6-18.htm">Romans 6:18</a>, where believers are set free from sin and become servants of righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a></b><br>The ruler of Egypt who is obstinately refusing to release the Israelites from slavery, despite the plagues that God has sent as a warning.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The prophet and leader chosen by God to demand the release of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and to lead them to the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a></b><br>Moses' brother, who assists him in communicating God's demands to Pharaoh.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites are enslaved, and where God is demonstrating His power through the plagues.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>God's chosen people, who are suffering under Egyptian slavery and are the focus of God's deliverance plan.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_a_hardened_heart.htm">The Danger of a Hardened Heart</a></b><br>Pharaoh's refusal to heed God's command is a classic example of a hardened heart. Believers are warned to remain open and responsive to God's voice, avoiding the pitfalls of pride and stubbornness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_patience.htm">God's Sovereignty and Patience</a></b><br>Despite Pharaoh's repeated refusals, God continues to send warnings through the plagues. This demonstrates God's patience and His desire for repentance, even in the face of persistent rebellion.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_obedience.htm">The Power of Obedience</a></b><br>Moses and Aaron's obedience to God's command, despite Pharaoh's resistance, highlights the importance of faithfulness in the face of opposition. Believers are encouraged to trust and obey God, regardless of external circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/deliverance_and_freedom.htm">Deliverance and Freedom</a></b><br>The demand for the Israelites' release is a powerful reminder of God's desire for His people to live in freedom. This points to the ultimate deliverance found in Christ, who frees us from the bondage of sin.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/benefits_of_studying_theology.htm">Why did God kill Egypt's firstborn children?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_biblically_respect_others.htm">What are examples of miracles in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_happens_in_exodus.htm">What events occur in the biblical book of Exodus?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_2_kings_10_1-11_justify_killing.htm">How does 2 Kings 10:1-11 reconcile mass slaughter with the broader biblical prohibition against murder?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/9-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֛י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתָּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">refuse</span><br /><span class="heb">מָאֵ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(mā·’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3986.htm">Strong's 3986: </a> </span><span class="str2">Unwilling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to let them go</span><br /><span class="heb">לְשַׁלֵּ֑חַ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·šal·lê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and continue</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעוֹדְךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ō·wḏ·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5750.htm">Strong's 5750: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to restrain</span><br /><span class="heb">מַחֲזִ֥יק</span> <span class="translit">(ma·ḥă·zîq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2388.htm">Strong's 2388: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them,</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(bām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/9-2.htm">Exodus 9:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/9-2.htm">Exodus 9:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/9-2.htm">Exodus 9:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/9-2.htm">Exodus 9:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/9-2.htm">Exodus 9:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/9-2.htm">Exodus 9:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/9-2.htm">Exodus 9:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/9-2.htm">Exodus 9:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/9-2.htm">Exodus 9:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/9-2.htm">Exodus 9:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/9-2.htm">OT Law: Exodus 9:2 For if you refuse to let them (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/9-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 9:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 9:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/9-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 9:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 9:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>