Exodus 7:7-17

7 And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old when they spoke unto Pharaoh.

8 And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

9 "When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, `Show a miracle for yourselves,' then thou shalt say unto Aaron, `Take thy rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.'"

10 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded; and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers. Now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents; but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

13 And He hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them, as the LORD had said.

14 And the LORD said unto Moses, "Pharaoh's heart is hardened; he refuseth to let the people go.

15 Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning. Lo, he goeth out unto the water, and thou shalt stand by the river's brink until he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.

16 And thou shalt say unto him, `The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, "Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness"; and behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.

17 Thus saith the LORD: "In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: Behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.

Exodus 7:7-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 7

Moses and Aaron are ordered to go to Pharaoh, and require the dismission of the people of Israel, but they are told before hand that Pharaoh's heart would be hardened, and would refuse to let them go, until the hand of the Lord was stretched out, and great judgments were brought down upon, Egypt, and then they should come forth, Ex 7:1-5, which orders Moses and Aaron obeyed, and their age is observed, when this was done, Ex 7:6,7 and they are bid to work a miracle, when Pharaoh should demand one, by turning a rod into a serpent, which they did; but Pharaoh's magicians doing the same in appearance, his heart was hardened, Ex 7:8-14 and then they are directed to meet him at the river, and require the same as before; and if he refused, to smite the waters of the river with the rod, and turn them into blood, which they did, Ex 7:15-21, but Pharaoh's magicians doing the same by enchantments, he did not regard it, though the plague lasted seven days, Ex 7:22-25.