4 Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast:
4 If you refuse to let them go, I will bring locusts into your country tomorrow.
4 For if you refuse to let my people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your country,
4 If you refuse to release my people, watch out; tomorrow I'm bringing locusts into your country.
4 Or else, if you refuse to let My people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory.
4 If you refuse, watch out! For tomorrow I will bring a swarm of locusts on your country.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 10:4
Commentary on Exodus 10:1-11
(Read Exodus 10:1-11)
The plagues of Egypt show the sinfulness of sin. They warn the children of men not to strive with their Maker. Pharaoh had pretended to humble himself; but no account was made of it, for he was not sincere therein. The plague of locusts is threatened. This should be much worse than any of that kind which had ever been known. Pharaoh's attendants persuade him to come to terms with Moses. Hereupon Pharaoh will allow the men to go, falsely pretending that this was all they desired. He swears that they shall not remove their little ones. Satan does all he can to hinder those that serve God themselves, from bringing their children to serve him. He is a sworn enemy to early piety. Whatever would put us from engaging our children in God's service, we have reason to suspect Satan in it. Nor should the young forget that the Lord's counsel is, Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth; but Satan's counsel is, to keep children in a state of slavery to sin and to the world. Mark that the great foe of man wishes to retain him by the ties of affection, as Pharaoh would have taken hostages from the Israelites for their return, by holding their wives and children in captivity. Satan is willing to share our duty and our service with the Saviour, because the Saviour will not accept those terms.