Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
Why should the Egyptians be able to say, 'He brought them out with evil intentions, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them off the face of the earth'? Turn away from your burning anger, and change your mind about bringing this disaster on your people.
Moses is pleading with God to reconsider His anger toward the Israelites, arguing that destroying them would give Egypt reason to mock God's character and intentions.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during the golden calf incident when Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments and the Israelites had made an idol to worship. God was furious and threatened to destroy the entire nation, but Moses interceded for them. Moses appeals to God's reputation among the nations, knowing that Egypt would use Israel's destruction as evidence that their God was either weak or malicious.
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