Exodus 3:19

NETBible

But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go, not even under force.

NIV ©

But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him.

NASB ©

"But I know that the king of Egypt will not permit you to go, except under compulsion.

NLT ©

"But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go except under heavy pressure.

MSG ©

"I know that the king of Egypt won't let you go unless forced to,

BBE ©

And I am certain that the king of Egypt will not let you go without being forced.

NRSV ©

I know, however, that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand.

NKJV ©

"But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand.


KJV
And I am sure
<03045> (8804)
that the king
<04428>
of Egypt
<04714>
will not let
<05414> (8799)
you go
<01980> (8800)_,
no, not by a mighty
<02389>
hand
<03027>_.
{no...: or, but by strong hand}
NASB ©

"But I know
<3045>
that the king
<4428>
of Egypt
<4714>
will not permit
<5414>
you to go
<1980>
, except
<3808>
under compulsion
<2389>
<3027>.
LXXM
egw
<1473> 
P-NS
de
<1161> 
PRT
oida {V-RAI-1S} oti
<3754> 
CONJ
ou
<3364> 
ADV
prohsetai {V-FMI-3S} umav
<4771> 
P-AP
faraw
<5328> 
N-PRI
basileuv
<935> 
N-NSM
aiguptou
<125> 
N-GSF
poreuyhnai
<4198> 
V-APN
ean
<1437> 
CONJ
mh
<3165> 
ADV
meta
<3326> 
PREP
ceirov
<5495> 
N-GSF
krataiav
<2900> 
A-GSF
NET [draft] ITL
But I
<0589>
know
<03045>
that
<03588>
the king
<04428>
of Egypt
<04714>
will not
<03808>
let
<05414>
you go
<01980>
, not
<03808>
even under force
<02389>

<03027>
.
HEBREW
hqzx
<02389>
dyb
<03027>
alw
<03808>
Klhl
<01980>
Myrum
<04714>
Klm
<04428>
Mkta
<0853>
Nty
<05414>
al
<03808>
yk
<03588>
ytedy
<03045>
ynaw (3:19)
<0589>

NETBible

But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go, not even under force.

NET Notes

tn After verbs of perception, as with “I know” here, the object may be a noun clause introduced with the particle כִּי (ki) – “I know that….” Gesenius observes that the object clause may have a kind of accusative and an infinitive construction (especially after נָתַן [natan] with the idea of “allow”): “he will not permit you to go” (see GKC 491 §157.b, n. 2).

tn Heb “and not with a mighty hand.” This expression (וְלֹא בְּיָד חֲזָקָה, vÿlovÿyad khazaqa) is unclear, since v. 20 says that God will stretch out his hand and do his wonders. Some have taken v. 19b to refer to God’s mighty hand also, meaning that the king would not let them go unless a mighty hand compels him (NIV). The expression “mighty hand” is used of God’s rescuing Israel elsewhere (Exod 6:1, 13:9, 32:11; but note also Num 20:20). This idea is a rather general interpretation of the words; it owes much to the LXX, which has “except by a mighty hand,” though “and not with” does not have the meaning of “except” or “unless” in other places. In view of these difficulties, others have suggested that v. 19b means “strong [threats]” from the Israelites (as in 4:24ff. and 5:3; see B. Jacob, Exodus, 81). This does not seem as convincing as the first view. Another possibility is that the phrase conveys Pharaoh’s point of view and intention; the Lord knows that Pharaoh plans to resist letting the Israelites go, regardless of the exercise of a strong hand against him (P. Addinall, “Exodus III 19B and the Interpretation of Biblical Narrative,” VT 49 [1999]: 289-300; see also the construction “and not with” in Num 12:8; 1 Sam 20:15 and elsewhere). If that is the case, v. 20 provides an ironic and pointed contradiction to Pharaoh’s plans as the Lord announces the effect that his hand will have. At any rate, Pharaoh will have to be forced to let Israel go.