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Preparations for the Final Plague
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11:1 |
God said to Moses, 'There is one more plague that I will send against Pharaoh and Egypt. After that, he will let you leave this place. When he lets you leave, he will actually drive you out of here. |
11:2 |
Now speak to the people discreetly, and let each man request from his friend gold and silver articles. Let every woman make [the same] request of her friends. ' |
11:3 |
God gave the people status among the Egyptians. Moses was also very highly respected in Egypt, both by Pharaoh's officials and by the people. |
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Death of the First-Born
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11:4 |
Moses said [to Pharaoh] in God's name, 'Around midnight, I will go out in the midst of Egypt. |
11:5 |
Every first-born in Egypt will die, from the first-born of Pharaoh sitting on his throne, to the first-born of the slave girl behind the millstones. Every first-born animal [will also die]. |
11:6 |
'There will be a great cry of anguish throughout all Egypt. Never before has there been anything like it, and never again will there be the like. |
11:7 |
But among the Israelites, a dog will not even whine because of man or beast. You will then realize that God is making a miraculous distinction between Egypt and Israel. |
11:8 |
'All your officials here will come and bow down to me. They will say, 'Leave! You and all your followers!' Only then will I leave.' He left Pharaoh in great anger. |
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Final Reassurance
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11:9 |
God said to Moses, 'Pharaoh will not listen to you. This is so that I will be able to do all the more wonders in Egypt.' |
11:10 |
Moses and Aaron had done all these wonders before Pharaoh. Still, because God had made Pharaoh obstinate, he would not let the Israelites leave his land. |
Commentary:
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