Then is the common conjunction waw, which some translations omit. The text does not indicate how long the Pharaoh waited until he called Moses and Aaron. It is significant that the magicians were not called; they could bring more frogs with their magic, but evidently they could not remove them. Called is better understood as “called for” (Good News Translation), or “summoned” (New English Bible and others).

And said introduces the Pharaoh’s words, which are spoken to both Moses and Aaron. Entreat the LORD means “Pray to the LORD” (New Revised Standard Version), or “Plead with the LORD” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). The Pharaoh is here asking them to intercede for him. Some translations add the words “for me” to bring this out (Septuagint, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch), although these words are not in the Hebrew. (They do appear in 8.28, where he makes a similar request.) To take away the frogs means “to clear away,” “to get rid of,” or “to remove” (New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) the frogs. Good News Translation omits the words from me and my people, possibly because they seem to be understood. But they provide the only textual clue that the Israelites were not bothered by the frogs.

And I will let the people go is a conditional promise based upon the removal of the frogs, not upon Moses’ prayer. This promise was part of a bargain that the king wanted to make with Moses and Aaron, but it implies that he knew the LORD could do it. Good News Translation has “your people” to highlight the distinction between the Israelites and my people, meaning the Egyptians. To sacrifice to the LORD means “so that they can offer sacrifices to the LORD.” (See 3.18b and the comment.) It is recommended that translators show the conditional nature of the king’s promise and translate this verse in a way similar to the following:

• The king called for Moses and Aaron and said to them, “If you plead with Yahweh [or, the LORD] to take these frogs away from me and my people, I will let your people go to sacrifice to him.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .