Exodus 11:4-10

4 So Moses said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt.

5 Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well.

6 There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt—worse than there has ever been or ever will be again.

7 But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.’ Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.

8 All these officials of yours will come to me, bowing down before me and saying, ‘Go, you and all the people who follow you!’ After that I will leave.” Then Moses, hot with anger, left Pharaoh.

9 The LORD had said to Moses, “Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you—so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt.”

10 Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country.

Exodus 11:4-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 11

Moses having an intimation from the Lord that one plague more would be brought on Pharaoh, and then he would let Israel go, when they should borrow of their neighbours jewels of gold and silver, the people being in great favour with the Egyptians, Ex 11:1-3, he declares to Pharaoh, before he went out of his presence, the slaying of all the firstborn in Egypt, which would issue in the dismission of Israel, and then he went out from him in great anger, Ex 11:4-8, but still Pharaoh would not hearken, and his heart was hardened, and he refused again to let Israel go, Ex 10:9,10.

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 12:29; Job 34:20
• 2. Exodus 12:23; Psalms 81:5
• 3. S Exodus 4:23; Psalms 78:51
• 4. Isaiah 47:2
• 5. Exodus 12:30; Proverbs 21:13; Amos 5:17
• 6. S Exodus 8:22
• 7. Exodus 12:31-33
• 8. Hebrews 11:27
• 9. S Exodus 7:4
• 10. S Exodus 3:20
• 11. S Exodus 4:21; Exodus 10:20,27; Romans 2:5