Exodus · chapter 11 of 40
Updated on
Exodus 11 announces the last plague: at midnight the Lord will pass through Egypt and every firstborn will die, from Pharaoh's to the slave girl's, and also the firstborn of the animals. There will be a great cry in Egypt, but among the Israelites not even a dog will growl. Moses says this to Pharaoh in anger, and Pharaoh does not listen.
With the darkness and the break with Moses at the end of Exodus 10, the stage is set for the final blow. Exodus 11 is a short, solemn chapter that works as a threshold: God warns clearly of what is coming and declares that after this plague Pharaoh himself will drive Israel out. It prepares the Passover of chapter 12.
The Lord told Moses he would bring one more plague on Pharaoh and Egypt, and that after it Pharaoh would let them go, and indeed drive them out completely. God commanded that every man and woman ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver and gold jewelry. The Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and Moses himself was greatly esteemed in the land of Egypt, both by Pharaoh's servants and by the people.
Moses told Pharaoh that about midnight the Lord would go out through the midst of Egypt and every firstborn in the land would die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the slave girl behind the mill, and also every firstborn of the animals. There would be a great cry throughout the land, such as there had never been before or would be again. But among the Israelites not even a dog would growl at man or beast, so that they would know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.
Moses added that Pharaoh's servants would come down to bow before him and ask him to leave with all the people. After that he would go. And he went out from Pharaoh's presence in great anger.
The text closes with a note from the Lord to Moses: Pharaoh would not listen to them, so that his wonders might be multiplied in Egypt. Moses and Aaron had done all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the Lord had hardened his heart, and he did not let the Israelites go out of his land.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
The Lord announces one more plague after which Pharaoh will let Israel go, and even drive them out of his land. God makes clear that the end of oppression is near and that he controls the moment.
At midnight the Lord will pass through Egypt and every firstborn will die, from Pharaoh's son to the slave girl's. The judgment reaches the whole society, from the throne to the mill, and answers the death Pharaoh sought to impose on Israel's children.
Among the Israelites not even a dog will growl at anyone, so that they will know the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. The picture of calm contrasts with Egypt's cry and shows God's care for his people.
The Lord tells Moses that Pharaoh will not listen to him, so that his wonders may be multiplied in Egypt. Even the king's stubbornness serves God's purpose, which is to be known.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: The death of every firstborn in Egypt, of people and of animals. — Exodus 11:4-5
Answer: About midnight. — Exodus 11:4
Answer: Silver and gold jewelry. — Exodus 11:2
Answer: Not even a dog would growl at man or beast. — Exodus 11:7
Answer: They would come down to bow before him and ask him to leave with all the people. — Exodus 11:8
Answer: In great anger. — Exodus 11:8
Exodus 11 reminds us that God is patient, but also just. Pharaoh received nine signs and did not change, and the judgment came. Today God's grace is still open, and this chapter invites us not to postpone our response to his call, without assuming there will always be another opportunity.
It also comforts: even in the midst of a judgment that affects the whole land, God cares for his people. In a class or small group you can talk about how to trust God when the world seems to be falling apart, and how God's mercy reaches those who take refuge in him.
Exodus 11 ends with the announcement of the tenth plague and a Pharaoh still hardened. Exodus 12 explains how the Israelites will be saved that night: through the Passover, the lamb and the blood on the doorposts, and through the departure from Egypt.
The text presents this plague as God's final judgment on the nation that oppressed Israel, called his firstborn in Exodus 4:22-23, and ordered the Hebrew children killed. Many readers see in it a response that corresponds to Egypt's own violence, and stress that God gave warning in time.
The text presents it as a command of God and as a favor he gave the people. It is understood as payment for years of work without wages. It relates to the promise made to Abraham that his descendants would come out with great possessions.
It is a picture of total calm. While Egypt wept, among the Israelites there would not be even a bark. With this phrase the text stresses that God distinguishes between Egypt and Israel.