The Tenth Plague: Death of the Firstborn

11 The Lord said[a] 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,[b] he will drive you out of here. Now announce to the people that both men and women should ask their neighbors for silver and gold items.” The Lord gave[c] the people favor with the Egyptians. In addition, Moses himself was very highly regarded[d] in the land of Egypt by[e] Pharaoh’s officials and the people.(A)

So Moses said, “This is what the Lord says: About midnight I will go throughout Egypt, and every firstborn male in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the servant girl who is at the grindstones, as well as every firstborn of the livestock. Then there will be a great cry of anguish through all the land of Egypt such as never was before or ever will be again. But against all the Israelites, whether people or animals, not even a dog will snarl,[f] so that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. All these officials of yours will come down to me and bow before me, saying: Get out, you and all the people who follow you.[g] After that, I will get out.” And he went out from Pharaoh’s presence fiercely angry.(B)

The Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen(C) to you, so that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart,(D) and he would not let the Israelites go out of his land.

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Footnotes

  1. 11:1 Or had said
  2. 11:1 Or go, it will be finished
  3. 11:3 Or had given
  4. 11:3 Lit was very great
  5. 11:3 Or in the eyes of
  6. 11:7 Lit point its tongue
  7. 11:8 Lit people at your feet

Warning of the Death of the Firstborn

11 Then the Lord told Moses, “I’ll bring one more plague on Pharaoh and Egypt. After that he’ll let you leave from here, and when he lets you go, he will certainly drive you out from here. Tell[a] the people that each man is to ask his neighbor and each woman her neighbor for articles of silver and gold.”

The Lord made the Egyptians look on the people with favor. Also the man Moses was highly regarded[b] in the land of Egypt, both in the opinion[c] of Pharaoh’s officials[d] and in the opinion[e] of the people.

So Moses announced to Pharaoh,[f] “This is what the Lord says: ‘About midnight I’m going throughout Egypt, and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the slave girl who operates[g] the hand mill, along with the firstborn of the animals. There will be a great cry throughout the land of Egypt, like there has never been and never will be again. But among the Israelis, from people to animals, not even a dog will bark,[h] so you may know that the Lord is distinguishing between the Egyptians and the Israelis.’ All these officials[i] of yours will come down to me, prostrate themselves to me, and say, ‘Get out, you and all the people following[j] you!’ After that I’ll go out.” Then Moses[k] angrily left Pharaoh.

The Lord told Moses, “Pharaoh won’t listen to you. As a result, my wonders will increase throughout the land of Egypt.” 10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders in front of Pharaoh, but the Lord made Pharaoh’s heart stubborn,[l] and he would not let the Israelis go out from his land.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 11:2 Lit. Say in the ears of
  2. Exodus 11:3 Lit. very great
  3. Exodus 11:3 Lit. sight
  4. Exodus 11:3 Or servants
  5. Exodus 11:3 Lit. sight
  6. Exodus 11:4 The Heb. lacks to Pharaoh
  7. Exodus 11:5 Lit. is behind
  8. Exodus 11:7 Lit. will sharpen its tongue
  9. Exodus 11:8 Or servants
  10. Exodus 11:8 Lit. at your feet
  11. Exodus 11:8 Lit. he
  12. Exodus 11:10 Lit. strong