Exodus 11
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The Lord said unto Moses - Calmet contends that this should be read in the preterpluperfect tense, for the Lord Had said to Moses, as the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth verses appear to have been spoken when Moses had the interview with Pharaoh mentioned in the preceding chapter; see Clarke's note on Exo 10:29. If therefore this chapter be connected with the preceding, as it should be, and the first three verses not only read in the past tense but also in a parenthesis, the sense will be much more distinct and clear than it now appears.
Open source ↗DEATH OF THE FIRST-BORN THREATENED. (Exo 11:1-10) the Lord said--rather, "had said unto Moses." It may be inferred, therefore, that he had been apprised that the crisis had now arrived, that the next plague would so effectually humble and alarm the mind of Pharaoh, that he would "thrust them out thence altogether"; and thus the word of Moses (Exo 10:29), must be regarded as a prediction.
Open source ↗And the Lord said unto Moses,.... While in the presence of Pharaoh, by a secret impulse upon his mind; or he had said (m), which some refer as far back as to his appearance to him in Midian, Exo 4:23, which is too remote; rather it refers to the last time he went to Pharaoh, being sent for by him; and the words may be rendered, "for the Lord had said" (n); and so are a reason why Moses was so bold, and expressed himself with so much confidence and assurance to Pharaoh, that he would see his face no more: yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; upon him and all his subjects, for the following one would affect all the families of Egypt, in which there was a son: afterwards he will let you go hence; out of Egypt readily, at once, and not attempt to stop or retard your going: when he shall let you go; declare his will, give leave and orders for it: he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether; absolutely, entirely, without any exception or limitation, them, their wives, their children, their flocks and herds, and whatsoever belonged to them, without any restraint upon them in any respect, and without any condition of return, or fixing any time for it, but the dismission should be general, unlimited, and unconditional; or, "in thrusting he shall thrust you out" (o), with force and vehemence, with urgency and in great haste. (m) "dixerat", some in Vatablus, Ainsworth, Cartwright; so Aben Ezra. (n) "Dixerat enim", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Rivet. (o) "expellendo expellet", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius; so Fagius, Vatablus, Cartwright.
Open source ↗Proclamation of the Tenth Plague; or the Decisive Blow. - Exo 11:1-3. The announcement made by Jehovah to Moses, which is recorded here, occurred before the last interview between Moses and Pharaoh (Exo 10:24-29); but it is introduced by the historian in this place, as serving to explain the confidence with which Moses answered Pharaoh (Exo 10:29). This is evident from Exo 11:4-8, where Moses is said to have foretold to the king, before leaving his presence, the last plague and all its consequences. ויּאמר therefore, in Exo 11:1, is to be taken in a pluperfect sense: "had said;" and may be grammatically accounted for from the old Semitic style of historical writing referred to in the commentary on Gen 2:18-22, as Gen 2:1 and Gen 2:2 contain the foundation for the announcement in Gen 2:4-8. So far as the facts are concerned, Gen 2:1-3 point back to Exo 3:19-22. One stroke more (נגע) would Jehovah bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt, and then the king would let the Israelites go, or rather drive them out. כּלה כּשׁלּחו, "when he lets you go altogether (כּלה adverbial as in Gen 18:21), he will even drive you away."
Open source ↗Here is, I. The high favour Moses and Israel were in with God. 1. Moses was a favourite of Heaven, for God will not hide from him the thing he will do. God not only makes him his messenger to deliver his errands, but communicates to him his purpose (as the man of his counsel) that he would bring one plague more, and but one, upon Pharaoh, by which he would complete the deliverance of Israel, Exo 11:1. Moses longed to see an end of this dreadful work, to see Egypt no more plagued and Israel no more oppressed: "Well," says God, "now it is near an end; the warfare shall shortly be accomplished, the point gained; Pharaoh shall be forced to own himself conquered, and to give up the cause." After all the rest of the plagues, God says, I will bring one more. Thus, after all the judgments executed upon sinners in this world, still there is one more reserved to be brought on them in the other world, which will completely humble those whom nothing else would humble. 2. The Israelites were favourites of Heaven; for God himself espouses their injured cause, and takes care to see them paid for all their pains in serving the Egyptians. This was the last day of their servitude; they were about to go away, and their masters, who had abused them in their work, would not have defrauded them of their wages, and have sent them away empty; while the poor Israelites were so fond of liberty that they would be satisfied with that, without pay, and would rejoice to get that upon any terms: but he that executeth righteousness and judgment for the oppressed provided that the labourers should not lose their hire, and ordered them to demand it now at their departure (Exo 11:2), in jewels of silver and jewels of gold, to prepare for which God, by the plagues, had now made the Egyptians as willing to…
Open source ↗11:1-9 The final plague was the death of the firstborn sons. The Egyptians worshiped life. They gave so much attention to preparations for life after death because they wanted to ensure that it would be at least as good as their lives in Egypt. Death itself is in God’s hand. There is no underworld god who can ultimately defeat the God of life. Both life and death belong to the Lord.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first נֶגַע (negaʻ, H5061) — a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous… פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) גָּרַשׁ (gârash, H1644) — to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3617) — a completion; adverb, completely; also destruction
Open source ↗דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman רְעוּת (rᵉʻûwth, H7468) — a female associate; generally an additional one כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… חֵן (chên, H2580) — graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity חָצוֹת (châtsôwth, H2676) — the middle (of the night) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
Open source ↗בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr, H1060) — firstborn; hence, chief אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) שִׁפְחָה (shiphchâh, H8198) — a female slave (as a member of the household) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… רֵחֶה (rêcheh, H7347) — a mill-stone בְּהֵמָה (bᵉhêmâh, H929) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
Open source ↗הָיָה (hâyâh, H1961) — to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent צַעֲקָה (tsaʻăqâh, H6818) — a shriek אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt לֹא (lôʼ, H3808) — not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity כֶּלֶב (keleb, H3611) — a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute חָרַץ (chârats, H2782) — properly, to point sharply, i.e. (literally) to wound; figuratively, to be alert, to… לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בְּהֵמָה (bᵉhêmâh, H929) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God פָּלָה (pâlâh, H6395) — to distinguish (literally or figuratively) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
Open source ↗עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings חֳרִי (chŏrîy, H2750) — a burning (i.e. intense) anger אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… מוֹפֵת (môwphêth, H4159) — a miracle; by implication, a token or omen רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מוֹפֵת (môwphêth, H4159) — a miracle; by implication, a token or omen פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
If you walk in hostility toward Me and refuse to obey Me, I will multiply your plagues seven times, according to your sins.
But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions.
So I will stretch out My hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders I will perform among them. And after that, he will release you.
Otherwise, I will send all My plagues against you and your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth.
Or has any god tried to take as his own a nation out of another nation—by trials, signs, wonders, and war, by a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors—as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt, before your eyes?
And the people were scorched by intense heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had authority over these plagues; yet they did not repent and give Him glory.
“What guilt offering should we send back to Him?” asked the Philistines. “Five gold tumors and five gold rats,” they said, “according to the number of rulers of the Philistines, since the same plague has struck both you and your rulers.
You produce new witnesses against me and multiply Your anger toward me. Hardships assault me in wave after wave.