Exodus 8:8
Context8:8 Then Pharaoh summoned 1 Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray 2 to the Lord that he may take the frogs away 3 from me and my people, and I will release 4 the people that they may sacrifice 5 to the Lord.”
Exodus 9:28
Context9:28 Pray to the Lord, for the mighty 6 thunderings and hail are too much! 7 I will release you and you will stay no longer.” 8


[8:8] 1 tn The verb קָרָא (qara’) followed by the lamed (ל) preposition has the meaning “to summon.”
[8:8] 2 tn The verb הַעְתִּירוּ (ha’tiru) is the Hiphil imperative of the verb עָתַר (’atar). It means “to pray, supplicate,” or “make supplication” – always addressed to God. It is often translated “entreat” to reflect that it is a more urgent praying.
[8:8] 3 tn This form is the jussive with a sequential vav that provides the purpose of the prayer: pray…that he may turn away the frogs.
[8:8] 4 tn The form is the Piel cohortative וַאֲשַׁלְּחָה (va’ashallÿkhah) with the vav (ו) continuing the sequence from the request and its purpose. The cohortative here stresses the resolve of the king: “and (then) I will release.”
[8:8] 5 tn Here also the imperfect tense with the vav (ו) shows the purpose of the release: “that they may sacrifice.”
[9:28] 6 sn The text has Heb “the voices of God.” The divine epithet can be used to express the superlative (cf. Jonah 3:3).
[9:28] 7 tn The expression וְרַב מִהְיֹת (vÿrav mihyot, “[the mighty thunder and hail] is much from being”) means essentially “more than enough.” This indicates that the storm was too much, or, as one might say, “It is enough.”
[9:28] 8 tn The last clause uses a verbal hendiadys: “you will not add to stand,” meaning “you will no longer stay.”