Exodus 7:12

12 and all casted forth their rods, which were turned into dragons; but the rod of Aaron devoured their rods. (and they all threw down their staffs, and they turned into serpents; but Aaron's staff devoured their staffs.)

Exodus 7:12 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 7:12

For they cast down every man his rod, and they became
serpents
That is, they seemed to be so, as Josephus ^F26 expresses it, but not really, in which he is followed by many; though some think that the devil assisted in this affair, and in an instant, as soon as the rods were cast down, removed them and put real serpents in their room:

but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods;
that is, the serpent that Aaron's rod was turned into, swallowed up the rods of the magicians, which never were otherwise than rods only in appearance; or if real serpents were put in the room of them, these were devoured by his serpent called his rod, because it was before turned into a serpent, as Aben Ezra observes; though the Targums of Jonathan, Jarchi, and R. Jeshua, suppose this was done after the serpent became a rod again; which makes the miracle the greater and more wonderful, that a rod should devour other rods; and supposing them real serpents, this was what the magicians could not make their rods do, and in which they were outdone by Aaron.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Antiqu. ut supra. (l. 2. c. 13 sect. 3.)

Exodus 7:12 In-Context

10 And so Moses and Aaron entered to Pharaoh, and did as the Lord commanded; and Aaron took the rod, and cast forth it before Pharaoh and his servants, the which rod was turned into a serpent. (And so Moses and Aaron came before Pharaoh, and did as the Lord commanded; and Aaron took his staff, and threw it down before Pharaoh and his servants, and the staff was turned into a serpent.)

11 Forsooth Pharaoh called forth wise men, and witches, and they also did by enchantments of Egypt, and by some privy things, in like manner; (And Pharaoh called forth Egypt's wise men, and witches, and they did likewise with their enchantments, and their secret words;)

12 and all casted forth their rods, which were turned into dragons; but the rod of Aaron devoured their rods. (and they all threw down their staffs, and they turned into serpents; but Aaron's staff devoured their staffs.)

13 And the heart of Pharaoh was made hard, and he heard not them, as the Lord commanded. (But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.)

14 Forsooth the Lord said to Moses, The heart of Pharaoh is made grievous, he will not deliver the people; (And the Lord said to Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, and he will not let the people go;)