Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 9:27

"And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: Jehovah is righteous, and I and my people are wicked." — Exodus 9:27 (ASV)

Pharaoh sent. —It is evident that the Pharaoh was more impressed by this plague than by any preceding one. This may have been partly because it caused destruction of human life, partly on account of its extraordinary and terrifying character. It must be kept in mind that the storm was still continuing and gave no sign of coming to a natural end (Exodus 9:29; Exodus 9:33).

I have sinned this time —i.e., This time I confess that I have sinned in resisting Jehovah; I no longer maintain that I have acted right.

The Lord is righteous. —Hebrew, Jehovah is the Just One —a form of speech implying that Jehovah, and He alone, was just.

Wicked. —Hebrew, the sinners. I and my people stand in contrast with God and His people. Previously Pharaoh had denounced the Israelites as idlers and hypocrites (Exodus 5:8; Exodus 5:17); now he admits that it is only he and his people who are to blame. The confession is satisfactory, except insofar as it divides between Pharaoh and the Egyptians the blame which was almost wholly his.