☝️ Key Points
- The song tells the biblical Exodus story of the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.
- The chorus is a call to Moses, chosen by God as the leader, to lead the Israelites out of slavery.
- God's warning to the pharaoh, that if he did not release the Israelites, he would kill the firstborn of Egypt, is described.
- A prophecy of the liberation of the Israelites, who will come out with the treasures of Egypt, is included.
- The song emphasizes that God gave instructions to Moses on how to lead the Israelite people.
Interpretation
The lyrics of the song 'When Israel was in Egyp's land' tell the biblical story of the Exodus, where the Israelite people are freed from slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses.
'When Israel was in Egyp's land' depicts the situation in which the Israelites found themselves in Egypt - they were oppressed and could no longer bear the burden. 'Let my people go' is the urgent call to the Pharaoh to release the Israelite people.
The refrain 'Go down Moses, Way down in Egyp's land, Tell ol' Pharao, Let my people go' is a call to Moses, who was chosen by God to lead the Israelite people out of slavery.
'Thus spoke the Lord bold Moses said, Let my people go, If not I'll smite your firstborn dead, Let my people go' describes God's warning to the Pharaoh through Moses. If the Pharaoh does not release the Israelite people, God will kill the firstborn of the Egyptians.
'No more shall they in bondage toil, Let my people go, Let them come out with Egyp's spoil, Let my people go' is a prophecy of the liberation of the Israelites. They will no longer toil in slavery and they will come out with the spoils of Egypt.
'The Lord told Moses what to do, Let my people go, To lead the children of Israel trough, Let my people go' shows that God gave Moses instructions on how to lead the Israelite people.