Exodus 7:8-18

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

9 If Pharaoh shall answer you, saying, Show a miracle, then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod and cast it before Pharaoh, that it shall become a dragon.

10 So Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did as the LORD had commanded; and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his slaves, and it became a dragon.

11 Then Pharaoh also called wise men and sorcerers; now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their fire worship.

12 For each one cast down his rod, and they became dragons; but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.

13 And Pharaoh’s heart became hard, that he hearkened not unto them as the LORD had said.

14 Then the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh’s heart is become grievous, for he refuses to let the people go.

15 Go unto Pharaoh in the morning; behold, he goes out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river’s brink before him and take in thy hand the rod which was turned to a serpent

16 and say unto him, The LORD, the God of the Hebrews has sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness; and, behold, until now thou hast not desired to hear.

17 Thus hath the LORD said, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD; behold, I will smite with the rod that is in my hand the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.

18 And the fish that are in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink the water of the river.

Exodus 7:8-18 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.