Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 8:28
And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: entreat for me.
28. The Pharaoh recognises the force of Moses’ argument, and grants the required permission: they are only not to go very far away.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 28. I will let you go only ye shall not go very far away] Pharaoh relented because the hand of God was heavy upon him; but he was not willing to give up his gain. The Israelites were very profitable to him; they were slaves of the state, and their hard labour was very productive: hence he professed a willingness, first to tolerate their religion in the land, (Ex 8:25); or to permit them to go into the wilderness, so that they went not far away, and would soon return. How ready is foolish man, when the hand of God presses him sore, to compound with his Maker! He will consent to give up some sins, provided God will permit him to keep others.
Entreat for me.] Exactly similar to the case of Simon Magus, who, like Pharaoh, fearing the Divine judgments, begged an interest in the prayers of Peter, Ac 8:24.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness,…. He does not say three days, though as he allowed them to go into the wilderness and sacrifice, they could not go and come again in less time; nor would Moses have accepted of the grant, as it seems by what follows he had, if he had obliged them to less time:
only you shall not go very far away; his meaning is, as Aben Ezra observes, that they should go no further than three days’ journey; he was jealous that this was only an excuse to get entirely out of his dominions, and never return more. He might have heard of their claim to the land of Canaan, and of their talk, and hope, and expectation, of going and settling there; and so understood this motion of theirs, to have leave to go into the wilderness for three days, to sacrifice to the Lord, was only a pretence; that their real intention was to proceed on in their journey to Canaan; however, being in this great distress, he made as if he was willing to grant what they desired, and very importunately urged they would pray he might be delivered from this plague:
entreat for me; the words seem to be spoken in haste, and with great eagerness and vehemence.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
28. And Pharaoh said, I will let you go. When he sees that his delays and shifts avail him nothing, he professes entire obedience; not that he then proposed to deceive and lie, because he was prevented by fear; but only, because overwhelmed with a present sense of his calamity, he dared not raise his crest against God. Therefore (as I said before) he did not so much wish designedly to conciliate and frustrate Moses by falsehood, as he deceived himself. For we must observe that (like one who has a wolf by the ears) he was constrained to promise the dismissal of the people, whom he retained to his own great injury. And this is why he commends himself to their prayers, for necessity urged him to implore God’s pardon and peace: although it might have been that he desired craftily to engage their affection to himself under the pretext of religion. For by this anxious precaution for himself, he betrays his want of confidence. Finally, by requesting their prayers, he, as it were, throws out a rope by which he may draw them back to himself when the sacrifice was over.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
Observe, how Pharaoh seems to relax: see Exo 5:2 . So said Simon Magus. Act 8:24 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
“Handfuls of Purpose”
For All Gleaners
“Only ye shall not go very far away.” Exo 8:28 .
This was a stipulation made by Pharaoh. He had been plagued into some concession. This is the language of compromise the common language of all time. Men are generous with a reservation. This was Pharaoh’s policy. In many cases religion is to be respected, but is not to cost anything. Some people use this language when they are giving a kind of permission to faith; they say, “It may go so far, but no farther.” It is not to go very far away from what can be seen and handled; it is to be as a tethered bird unable to fly beyond its check. Some people use the same language to the spirit of Consecration. It must not go very far away from the marketplace and from the common courses of society; it must never become a passion, a heroism, a burning sacrifice. People keep themselves very much within themselves, not knowing that self-control reaches its highest discipline in the absolute giving away of the whole life to the care and service of God.
Fuente: The People’s Bible by Joseph Parker
Exo 8:28 And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me.
Ver. 28. Only ye shall not go very far. ] So loath was he to lose his hold. So is the devil. a The Pope made large offers to Queen Elizabeth, as also to our king, when in Spain.
Intreat for me.
a Euseb.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
not go very far away. Pharaoh’s objection to Jehovah’s third demand (Exo 8:25). Note the spiritual lesson as to our worship to-day. See note on Exo 5:28
from. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, and Syriac, read “and from”.
The fifth plague was aimed at all kinds of animal worship. Compare Exo 12:12.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
very far The second compromise is a modification merely of the first. “Do not be too unwordly.” Cf. 1Sa 15:3; 1Sa 15:9; 1Sa 15:13-15; 1Sa 15:19-23.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
I will: Hos 10:2
entreat: Exo 8:8, Exo 8:29, Exo 9:28, Exo 10:17, 1Ki 13:6, Ezr 6:10, Ecc 6:10, Act 8:24
Reciprocal: Exo 10:18 – and entreated Exo 10:24 – Go ye Exo 12:32 – bless me Num 21:7 – pray Jdg 11:8 – the elders 1Sa 5:7 – saw Jer 37:3 – Pray Jer 42:2 – and pray
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
8:28 And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not {h} go very far away: intreat for me.
(h) So the wicked instruct God’s messengers how far they may go.