Paths in Biblical Studies

Book of Exodus · Chapter 11 of 40

Exodus 11: Verse-by-Verse Commentary (with Videos)

10 verses · 3 video commentaries from 1 course · Berean Standard Bible

1Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt one more plague. After that, he will allow you to leave this place. And when he lets you go, he will drive you out completely.

2Now announce to the people that men and women alike should ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.”

3And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.

4So Moses declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt,

5and every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the servant girl behind the hand mill, as well as the firstborn of all the cattle.

6Then a great cry will go out over all the land of Egypt. Such an outcry has never been heard before and will never be heard again.

7But among all the Israelites, not even a dog will snarl at man or beast.’ Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.

8And all these officials of yours will come and bow before me, saying, ‘Go, you and all the people who follow you!’ After that, I will depart.” And hot with anger, Moses left Pharaoh’s presence.

9The LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.”

10Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he would not let the Israelites go out of his land.

Exodus 11 Section and Chapter Commentary

Exod 11:1-10

Instructions for the Passover Feast

Before the final plague, God instructs Moses on the Passover feast, which includes Israelite women borrowing valuables from Egyptians and the ritual of slaughtering a lamb. The blood of the lamb was to be applied to doorposts, signaling to the angel of destruction to 'pass over' those homes, sparing the Israelite firstborn while killing the Egyptian firstborn.

Summarized by AI · Finding Moses: What Scholars Know About the Exodus and the Jewish Law · Lecture 3: The Exodus · watch the clip

Exodus 11 Verse Notes

Exod 11:2

Puzzles in the Passover Account: Spoiling the Egyptians and Blood on Doorposts

The Passover narrative presents puzzles, such as the instruction for Israelite women to borrow gold and silver from their Egyptian neighbors, despite the Israelites living in the separate region of Goshen. Additionally, the necessity of applying blood to doorposts is questioned, as an omniscient God would presumably know which houses belonged to Israelites, especially given their separate dwelling place.

Summarized by AI · Finding Moses: What Scholars Know About the Exodus and the Jewish Law · Lecture 3: The Exodus · watch the clip

Exod 11:9

Divine and Human Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart

The biblical text presents a dual perspective on Pharaoh's obstinacy: God explicitly states His intention to harden Pharaoh's heart to demonstrate His power, while Pharaoh is also depicted as hardening his own heart. This interplay serves God's purpose of displaying His wonders and gaining glory over Pharaoh.

Summarized by AI · Finding Moses: What Scholars Know About the Exodus and the Jewish Law · Lecture 3: The Exodus · watch the clip

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