Exodus 11:7

7 But among all the sons of Israel, from man to beast, not a dog shall move his tongue, that ye may know that the LORD shall make a difference between the Egyptians and the Israelites.

Exodus 11:7 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 11:7

But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move
his tongue, against man or beast
That is, as no hurt should be done to man or beast among them, to the firstborn of either of them, so there would be no noise or cry in their dwellings, but the profoundest silence, stillness, and quietness among them; though this is generally understood of what would be their case when on their march departing out of Egypt, which was immediately upon the slaying of the firstborn; and, if literally understood, it was a very extraordinary thing that a dog, which barks at the least noise that is made, especially in the night, yet not one should move his tongue or bark, or rather "sharpen" F21 his tongue, snarl and grin, when 600,000 men, besides women and children, with their flocks and herds, set out on their journey, and must doubtless march through many places where dogs were, before they came to the Red sea; though it may also be interpreted figuratively, that not an Egyptian, though ever so spiteful and malicious, and ill disposed to the children of Israel, should offer to do any hurt either to the Israelites or their cattle, or exclaim against them on account of the slaughter of their firstborn, or say one word against their departure, or attempt to stop them, but on the contrary would hasten their going, and be urgent for it: that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the
Egyptians and Israel;
by preserving them and theirs, when the firstborn of Egypt were destroyed, and by causing stillness and quietness among them when there was an hideous outcry and doleful lamentation among the Egyptians; and by bringing Israel quietly out from among them, none offering to give the least molestation.


FOOTNOTES:

F21 (Urxy al) non acuet, Noldius, p. 517. No. 1471. so Jarchi.

Exodus 11:7 In-Context

5 and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sits upon his throne even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill and all the firstborn of beasts.
6 And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been one like it, nor shall there ever be any like it again.
7 But among all the sons of Israel, from man to beast, not a dog shall move his tongue, that ye may know that the LORD shall make a difference between the Egyptians and the Israelites.
8 And all these thy slaves shall come down unto me and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Go 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.
9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010