Exodus 5:1

told Pharaoh. This was in Zoan (compare Psalms 78:12; Psalms 78:43), where Pharaoh had made his palace. It could not have been written in Babylon, for there the kings were not seen, and were hidden behind their ministers. Here, in Egypt, the king was his own minister, and could be easily approached. Compare Exodus 3:10 and App-37. Note Jehovah's sixfold (App-10) demand and Pharaoh's sixfold objection:

I. " Thus saith Jehovah Elohim " (Exodus 5:1).

(1) "Who is Jehovah? "(Exodus 5:2). Question occurs only here. II. " Let My People go "(Exodus 5:1).

(2) "Go. Sacrifice in the Land" (Exodus 8:25). III. " We will go three days' journey into the wilderness " (Exodus 8:27).

(3) "Go", only "not very far away" (Exodus 8:28). IV. " Let My People go " (Exodus 10:3).

(4) "Who are they that shall go? "(Exodus 10:8). V. All must go (Exodus 10:9).

(5) Not so. Men, but not children or flocks (Exodus 10:11).

(6) Go. Children, but not flocks (Exodus 10:24). VI. Flocks too: for "we know not. till", &c. (Exodus 10:25; Exodus 10:26).