Exodus 11: The last plague announced
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Hebrew. How to read a study
What happens?
Yahweh tells Moses that after one more plague Pharaoh will let the people go, and that the people are to ask their neighbors for silver and gold. Moses tells Pharaoh that at midnight every firstborn in Egypt will die, while not even a dog will bark against Israel, and then he goes out in hot anger. Yahweh says Pharaoh will not listen, and he hardens Pharaoh's heart.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells the story. God's own words are in 3 of the 10 verses: his words to Moses in verses 1, 2 and 9. In verses 4 to 8 Moses is telling Pharaoh what Yahweh says, so those verses are not in gold. Pharaoh does not speak in this chapter. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1Yahweh said to Moses, “I will bring yet one more plague on Pharaoh, and on Egypt; afterwards he will let you go. When he lets you go, he will surely thrust you out altogether.God speaks
In plain English: Yahweh said (or: had said) to Moses, "I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. After that he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here completely.
The Hebrew words: "Yahweh said" can also be read "Yahweh had said". The Hebrew does not show by itself whether this is before or after the meeting that ends in .
What changes: Read as "had said", Yahweh spoke to Moses earlier, and verses 4 to 8 are Moses' last words to Pharaoh before he leaves.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
2Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man ask of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.”God speaks
In plain English: Speak now in the ears of the people: let every man ask (or: borrow from) his neighbor, and every woman hers, for articles of silver and articles of gold."
The Hebrew word: "Ask" is shaal, the same word as in , which some Bibles translate "borrow".
Good to know: and tell how it happened.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
3Yahweh gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people.
In plain English: Yahweh gave the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians. Also, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the eyes of Pharaoh's servants and in the eyes of the people.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
4Moses said, “This is what Yahweh says: ‘About midnight I will go out into the middle of Egypt,
In plain English: Moses said, "This is what Yahweh says: 'About midnight I will go out into the middle of Egypt,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
5and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the mill, and all the firstborn of livestock.
In plain English: and every firstborn in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the female servant behind the hand mill, and every firstborn of the livestock.
Good to know: Yahweh first spoke of Pharaoh's firstborn son in and : Israel is his firstborn son, and he would kill Pharaoh's firstborn son.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
6There will be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been, nor will be any more.
In plain English: There will be a great cry in all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been before and never will be again.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
7But against any of the children of Israel a dog won’t even bark or move its tongue, against man or animal, that you may know that Yahweh makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel.
In plain English: But against any of the Israelites not even a dog will bark (literally: sharpen its tongue), against people or animals, so that you will know that Yahweh makes a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
8All these servants of yours will come down to me, and bow down themselves to me, saying, “Get out, with all the people who follow you;” and after that I will go out.’” He went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.
In plain English: All these servants of yours will come down to me and bow down to me, saying, "Get out, you and all the people who follow you," and after that I will go out.'" He went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
9Yahweh said to Moses, “Pharaoh won’t listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.”God speaks
In plain English: Yahweh said to Moses, "Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that my wonders will be many in the land of Egypt."
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
10Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but Yahweh hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he didn’t let the children of Israel go out of his land.
In plain English: Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but Yahweh hardened (literally: made strong) Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the Israelites go out of his land.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.