This verse presents a problem that should be resolved before it is translated. There is no clear indication who it is to whom the LORD is speaking. Some translations (Good News Translation, Translator’s Old Testament, Contemporary English Version) have understood this clause to be an extension of the direct speech that begins in verse 1. Translator’s Old Testament has made it a part of the second level quote (what Yahweh says to Moses), while Good News Translation makes it a part of the third level quote (what Moses is to say to the Pharaoh).

Since the Hebrew text has no quotation marks, the verse may be interpreted in three different ways:
1) Yahweh is speaking only to Moses without the Pharaoh knowing; for example, “Moses, I [Yahweh] have set a time….”
2) Moses is to report to the Pharaoh what Yahweh is now saying to Moses; for example, “Yahweh says that he has set a time….”
3) Yahweh is giving Moses the exact words he is to relate to the Pharaoh (see Good News Translation).

The first interpretation seems unlikely, for both Yahweh and Moses would want the Pharaoh to know when to expect the plague to strike. Translator’s Old Testament has chosen the second interpretation and presents the entire verse as Yahweh’s words to Moses, who is then to inform the Pharaoh indirectly what Yahweh had said:

• “ ‘… The LORD has decided the exact time when this will happen; tomorrow the LORD will inflict this on Egypt.’ ”

Contemporary English Version is similar: “Tomorrow is the day the LORD has set to do this.” Good News Translation has chosen the third interpretation, presenting the verse as a continuation of Yahweh’s words to the Pharaoh through the mouth of Moses. (See the Good News Translation text above.) The two occurrences of the LORD are thus changed to “I, the LORD.” Translators should choose either the second or the third interpretation.

And the LORD set a time suggests that this clause should not be included in the quotation that begins in verse 1. This is especially true because the word saying is normally used to introduce direct speech. But if the third interpretation is chosen, then this clause simply becomes a break in the extended quote, and the idea of setting a time may be made a part of the words of Yahweh, as in Good News Translation. Set a time may be understood as “decided the exact time” (Translator’s Old Testament) or simply “designated when.” The exact “hour” (Jerusalem Bible) is not indicated, for tomorrow simply means “the very next day” (Living Bible).

The LORD will do this thing must be understood as part of the direct speech of Yahweh, for the word saying is used here to introduce exactly what the LORD said. The sacred name YHWH is used in both clauses, so here is a clear example of Yahweh speaking of himself by name, using the third person rather than the first person pronoun “I.” But Good News Translation‘s adjustment is natural if the third setting mentioned above is selected. This thing refers back to verse 3, where it says “the hand of the LORD will fall.”

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 .