God brought ten judgments (known as the “plagues”) upon Egypt in Exodus 7-12. The first nine plagues are set apart from the tenth by multiple literary features. While considering the tenth judgment–the death of the firstborn–is a worthy focus, the following comments are limited to Plagues 1-9. Some of these observations can be noted in studies addressing the subject of the Egyptian plagues.
- Plagues 1-9 unfold in three series of three plagues each.
- Plagues 1-3 (7:14–8:19)
- Plagues 4-6 (8:20–9:12)
- Plagues 7-9 (9:13–10:29)
- Each new judgment section begins with “the LORD said to Moses” (7:14; 8:1, 16, 20; 9:1, 8, 13; 10:1, 21).
- Each new judgment section ends with a report about Pharaoh’s heart (7:22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 12, 35; 10:20, 27).
- The first set of three plagues (1-3) are performed with Aaron holding the staff (7:19-20; 8:5-6; 8:16-17).
- The second set of three plagues (4-6) are performed with no staff involved (8:24; 9:6, 10).
- The third set of three plagues (7-9) are performed with Moses holding the staff (9:22-23; 10:12-13, 21-22).
- The first plague in each series (1, 4, 7) takes place with Moses going to Pharaoh outside in the morning (7:15; 8:20; 9:13).
- The second plague in each series (2, 5, 8) takes place with Moses going into Pharaoh’s palace (8:1; 9:1; 10:1).
- The third plague in each series (3, 6, 9) takes place without a warning to Pharaoh at all (8:17; 9:10; 10:22).
- Israel is spared from the second series of plagues (4-6).
- Israel is spared from the third series of plagues (7-9).
- The shortest plague of each series comes third (3, 6, 9).
- The third plague of each series (3, 6, 9) doesn’t have the statement “Let my people go, that they may serve me,” which appears in the other plagues.
- The plagues serve a polemical purpose by humiliating an Egyptian god (or gods) that is in some way associated with the nature of the judgment.
- When each series of three plagues is considered (1-3, 4-6, 7-9), the plagues increase in severity, for judgments 7-9 are the most devastating of the nine plagues.
- In the first series of plagues (1-3), the Egyptian magicians attempt to imitate the work of Yahweh. The other series of plagues (4-6 and 7-9) do not report any attempt by the magicians to imitate what they saw.
- In the each threefold series of three plagues, Pharaoh tells Moses the Israelites can go.
- Once in Plagues 1-3 (8:8)
- Once in Plagues 4-6 (8:28)
- Three times in Plagues 7-9 (9:28; 10:11, 24)
- Pharaoh tries to negotiate with Moses about the Israelites’ departure.
- None in Plagues 1-3
- Once in Plagues 4-6 (8:28)
- Twice in Plagues 7-9 (10:11, 24)
I recently preached through the ten plagues at Kosmosdale Baptist Church, where I serve as the Preaching Pastor. Those sermons can be found here.
