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Exodus 11

YHWH announces a final judgment that will break Pharaoh’s resistance, while distinguishing Israel from Egypt and preparing their departure.

YHWH tells Moses that one final plague will force Pharaoh to release Israel. He directs the people to ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver and gold, and grants them favor. Moses then warns Pharaoh that Egypt’s firstborn will die at midnight, from the royal household to the servant at the mill, while Israel will be spared. Moses leaves in hot anger. The chapter closes with Pharaoh still refusing to release Israel, his heart hardened by YHWH.

injustice and angersermon or Bible study notes
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1The LORD 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.
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.”
3The LORD 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.
4Moses said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go out into the middle of Egypt,
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.
6There will be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been, nor will be any more.
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 the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel.
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.
9The LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh won’t listen to you, 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, and he didn’t let the children of Israel go out of his land.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
Exodus 11:8Moses foretells Pharaoh’s servants begging Israel to leave, then departs in anger while that reversal remains ahead.
Exodus 11:3YHWH grants Israel favor among the Egyptians, and Moses commands respect even among Pharaoh’s servants.
Exodus 11:7Israel’s safety amid Egypt’s coming grief will make known the distinction YHWH establishes between the two peoples.
Where this chapter reaches

Psalm recalls the judgment on Egypt’s firstborn announced here, placing that event within songs about God’s mighty acts. Genesis contains the promise that Abraham’s descendants would leave their oppression with possessions, a promise linked to Israel’s request for silver and gold.

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After reading the whole chapter

What stands out to you about the contrast between Egypt’s coming cry and Israel’s promised safety?

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How does Moses’ standing among the Egyptians shape your reading of Pharaoh’s refusal?

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Questions people ask about Exodus 11

Does the death of the firstborn happen in Exodus 11?

Exodus 11 announces the death of Egypt’s firstborn; it does not narrate its occurrence. Moses declares that YHWH will go through Egypt about midnight. The warning reaches from Pharaoh’s household to the servant at the mill and includes livestock. The chapter ends with Israel still held in Egypt.

What does it mean that a dog won’t bark against Israel?

The image describes Israel’s complete freedom from disturbance during the coming judgment. It stands beside the great cry foretold throughout Egypt. Verse 7 states the purpose of this contrast: people will know that YHWH makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel, including their animals.

Why does God harden Pharaoh’s heart in Exodus 11?

Verse 9 connects Pharaoh’s refusal with YHWH’s purpose that his wonders be multiplied in Egypt. Verse 10 then states that YHWH hardened Pharaoh’s heart and Pharaoh refused to release Israel. The chapter affirms God’s rule over these events without explaining every question about divine hardening and human responsibility.

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What the Bible says about anger →

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).