Definition: And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness [which] may be felt.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Exodus 10:21. It’s a really significant and dramatic verse that speaks about God’s plan to deliver his people from slavery. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is telling Moses to actively summon darkness over Egypt. He wants to create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, so that the Egyptians can't continue to enslave their people. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And the LORD said unto Moses…” : This establishes God as the one in charge and initiating a significant action. “…Stretch out thine hand toward heaven…” : Moses is instructed to reach upwards, towards the sky. It's not just a simple gesture; it’s a deliberate act of calling upon something greater than himself. “That there may be darkness over the land of Egypt…” : This is the core of the verse. God wants to create a period of “darkness” – literally, a state of shadow and uncertainty – in Egypt. “…even darkness [which] may be felt.” : This is where it gets really powerful. The darkness isn’t just seen ; it's felt . It’s a pervasive feeling of fear and anxiety that will spread throughout the land. What does this mean in context? The Israelites were enslaved: This verse describes a crucial moment when God decided to free his people from slavery, which had been happening for 40 years. God’s plan of liberation: It's a powerful demonstration of God's power and determination to bring about deliverance. It’s a sign that his plan is moving forward. A moment of crisis: The verse implies a time of great anxiety and potential danger for the Egyptians, as they are unprepared for this sudden shift in the situation. Overall Significance: This verse is often interpreted as a prelude to God's mighty flood – which he will later use to destroy the Egyptian gods and repeat his deliverance. It’s a moment of intense divine action designed to change the course of history. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of Exodus 10? Discuss the symbolism behind darkness in this context? Provide a more detailed explanation of why this verse is so important in biblical interpretation?