The Plague on the Firstborn Foretold
The LORD tells Moses that one more plague will end the struggle with Pharaoh and send Israel out completely. He also prepares the people to ask the Egyptians for silver and gold, while giving them favor in Egyptian eyes.
T1hen 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.
Verse 1The LORD tells Moses he will bring one final plague on Pharaoh and Egypt. After it, Pharaoh will not only let Israel go but drive them out completely.
This verse announces the last decisive act that will end Pharaoh’s resistance.
Verse 2The people are told to ask their Egyptian neighbors for articles of silver and gold. Israel’s departure is framed as a public and tangible transfer of wealth.
This verse prepares Israel for departure and for Egypt’s yielding to them.
Verse 3The LORD gives the Israelites favor among the Egyptians, and Moses himself is greatly esteemed by officials and people alike. Egypt is already being made ready to yield before the final blow.
This verse shows the social setting God has prepared around the coming release.
Moses declares that at midnight the LORD will pass through Egypt and strike every firstborn, bringing unmatched grief across the land. At the same time, Israel will be kept untouched, so Egypt will see that the LORD distinguishes between the two peoples and will finally urge them to leave.
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.’ 8Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. And 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.”
Verse 4Moses declares the LORD’s word that about midnight he will go throughout Egypt. The warning becomes immediate and exact.
This verse opens the formal announcement of the final plague.
Verse 5Every firstborn in Egypt will die, from Pharaoh’s house to the servant at the mill, along with the firstborn of the cattle. The judgment will reach across every rank of the land.
This verse defines the scope of the plague and its total reach through Egypt.
Verse 6A great cry will rise through all Egypt, unlike anything heard before or after. The plague is marked by national grief without equal.
This verse names the human cost and emotional weight of the coming judgment.
Verse 7Among the Israelites, not even a dog will snarl at person or beast. Their complete quietness will stand against Egypt’s anguish.
This verse sharpens the contrast between Israel’s safety and Egypt’s distress.
Verse 8By this, Egypt will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel, and Pharaoh’s officials will come bowing and urge Moses and the people to leave. Moses says he will depart after that.
This verse states the meaning and outcome of the plague: the LORD’s distinction and Israel’s release.
The chapter closes with the LORD’s word that Pharaoh will not listen, so his wonders may be multiplied in Egypt. Moses and Aaron have performed these signs, yet Pharaoh remains hardened and refuses to let Israel go.
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.
Verse 9The LORD says Pharaoh will not listen to Moses, so that his wonders may be multiplied in Egypt. Pharaoh’s refusal remains part of the unfolding purpose.
This verse explains why the warning does not bring immediate obedience.
Verse 10Moses and Aaron perform all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardens Pharaoh’s heart, and he does not let Israel leave. The long contest remains unresolved until the final blow falls.
This verse closes the chapter by summing up Pharaoh’s hardened refusal despite every sign.
A quiet block diagram: each row is one authored paragraph movement, with verse numbers kept visible for scanning and deeper work.
- vv. 1-3
The LORD tells Moses that one more plague will end the struggle with Pharaoh and send Israel out completely. He also prepares the people to ask the Egyptians for silver and gold, while giving them favor in Egyptian eyes.
This opening paragraph announces the final movement of the contest and quietly prepares Israel for a decisive and well-provided departure. - vv. 4-8
Moses declares that at midnight the LORD will pass through Egypt and strike every firstborn, bringing unmatched grief across the land. At the same time, Israel will be kept untouched, so Egypt will see that the LORD distinguishes between the two peoples and will finally urge them to leave.
This central paragraph states the content of the last plague and shows it as both judgment on Egypt and deliverance for Israel. - vv. 9-10
The chapter closes with the LORD’s word that Pharaoh will not listen, so his wonders may be multiplied in Egypt. Moses and Aaron have performed these signs, yet Pharaoh remains hardened and refuses to let Israel go.
This closing paragraph explains why the warning does not yet produce release and links the coming plague to the larger pattern of hardened resistance.