Exodus 11

King James Version

Full text for Exodus Chapter 11

1¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague [more] upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let [you] go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.

2Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.

3And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses [was] very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people.

4¶ And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:

5And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that [is] behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

6And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.

7But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.

8And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.

9And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.

10And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The LORD informs Moses of one final plague, the death of all firstborn in Egypt, after which Pharaoh will expel the Israelites. Before this, the Israelites are instructed to request jewels from their Egyptian neighbors, finding favor in their sight. Moses declares this impending judgment, emphasizing that Israel will be spared, demonstrating the LORD's distinction between the two peoples.

Medium Summary

The LORD reveals to Moses that one more devastating plague will strike Egypt, after which Pharaoh will not merely let Israel go, but will forcefully drive them out. Prior to this, the Israelites are commanded to ask their Egyptian neighbors for jewels of silver and gold, and the LORD grants them favor, making Moses himself highly esteemed by both Pharaoh's servants and the people. Moses then proclaims the LORD's judgment: at midnight, every firstborn in Egypt, from Pharaoh's heir to the lowliest maidservant's child and all firstborn beasts, will die. This will cause an unprecedented wailing throughout Egypt. However, the children of Israel will be completely untouched, not even a dog will bark against them, serving as a clear sign of the LORD's differentiation between Egyptians and Israel. Moses foresees Pharaoh's servants bowing down to him, urging Israel's departure, and then Moses departs from Pharaoh in great anger. The chapter concludes with the LORD's reaffirmation that Pharaoh will not heed Moses, ensuring the multiplication of divine wonders, as the LORD continues to harden Pharaoh's heart.

Long Summary

The chapter begins with the LORD's declaration to Moses that one final, decisive plague will be brought upon Egypt, after which Pharaoh will not only permit the Israelites to depart but will actively thrust them out of the land. Before this ultimate judgment, the LORD instructs Moses to command the people of Israel to request valuable items, specifically jewels of silver and gold, from their Egyptian neighbors. The text notes that the LORD granted the Israelites favour in the eyes of the Egyptians, and Moses himself had become exceedingly great in the estimation of Pharaoh's servants and the general populace. Moses then delivers the LORD's pronouncement of the tenth plague: at approximately midnight, the LORD Himself will pass through the midst of Egypt. This divine act will result in the death of every firstborn in the land, encompassing all, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits upon the throne, down to the firstborn of the maidservant grinding at the mill, and extending to the firstborn of all beasts. This widespread death will precipitate an unparalleled and profound cry of lamentation throughout all of Egypt, a sorrowful sound unlike any heard before or to be heard again. In stark contrast, the LORD assures that no harm whatsoever will befall the children of Israel; not even a dog will move its tongue against any person or animal among them. This clear distinction is intended to demonstrate unequivocally that the LORD makes a profound difference between the Egyptians and Israel. Moses predicts that Pharaoh's own servants will humble themselves before him, urging him and all the people to depart. Following this declaration, Moses departs from Pharaoh's presence in a state of great anger. The chapter concludes with the LORD reiterating to Moses that Pharaoh will remain disobedient, a preordained resistance designed to allow for the further multiplication of the LORD's wonders in the land of Egypt. It is explicitly stated that Moses and Aaron had indeed performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, and the LORD Himself hardened Pharaoh's heart, thereby preventing him from releasing the children of Israel from his land.

Core Concepts

  • Final Plague AnnouncedThe LORD reveals to Moses that the tenth and final plague will be the death of all firstborn in Egypt, a judgment so severe it will compel Pharaoh to expel the Israelites. This plague is presented as the culmination of divine judgments against Egypt.
  • Spoiling the EgyptiansBefore the final plague, the Israelites are instructed to ask their Egyptian neighbours for jewels of silver and gold. The LORD grants the Israelites favour in the sight of the Egyptians, ensuring they receive these valuables as they prepare to depart.
  • Divine DistinctionA key theme is the LORD's clear differentiation between the Egyptians and the children of Israel. While Egypt suffers the devastating plague, the Israelites are promised complete immunity, with not even a dog barking against them, to show the LORD's special care for His people.
  • Death of the FirstbornThe specific nature of the tenth plague is detailed: at midnight, every firstborn in Egypt will die, from Pharaoh's heir to the firstborn of the lowest maidservant, and also the firstborn of all beasts. This act will cause an unprecedented cry throughout Egypt.
  • Pharaoh's Hardened HeartThe chapter reiterates that Pharaoh's continued refusal to release Israel is part of the LORD's plan. The LORD explicitly states He will harden Pharaoh's heart so that His wonders may be multiplied in Egypt.
  • Moses' Esteem and AngerMoses is shown to be greatly esteemed by the Egyptians and Pharaoh's servants. After delivering the final, dire warning of the plague, Moses departs from Pharaoh's presence in a state of great anger.