Exodus 10:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

How long must we endure in preventing this people from departing? Allow them to go and worship the Lord their God, or we too may be struck down, just as our lands and livestock have been devastated. Are you not aware that all of Egypt has turned into a wasteland?

The involvement of the officials in Pharaoh's choice is notably striking; they admonish him for failing to comprehend the events unfolding around him. They appear to suggest that he permit only the adults to depart, retaining the children as a guarantee for their return. For the first time, Pharaoh seems to tentatively decide, albeit not in full measure, to avert the impending judgment. However, he still does not possess the complete understanding that he stands before the presence of the Lord and Creator of the universe.