7 But against any of the children H1121 of Israel H3478 shall not a dog H3611 move H2782 his tongue, H3956 against man H376 or beast: H929 that ye may know H3045 how that the LORD H3068 doth put a difference H6395 between the Egyptians H4714 and Israel. H3478
And I will sever H6395 in that day H3117 the land H776 of Goshen, H1657 in which my people H5971 dwell, H5975 that no H1115 swarms H6157 of flies shall be H1961 there; to the end H4616 thou mayest know H3045 that I am the LORD H3068 in the midst H7130 of the earth. H776
And the magicians H2748 of Egypt H4714 did H6213 so with their enchantments: H3909 and Pharaoh's H6547 heart H3820 was hardened, H2388 neither did he hearken H8085 unto them; as the LORD H3068 had said. H1696
So the poor H1800 hath hope, H8615 and iniquity H5766 stoppeth H7092 her mouth. H6310
For G1063 who G5101 maketh G1252 thee G4571 to differ G1252 from another? and G1161 what G5101 hast thou G2192 that G3739 thou didst G2983 not G3756 receive? G2983 G1161 now if G1499 thou didst receive G2983 it, why G5101 dost thou glory, G2744 as G5613 if thou hadst G2983 not G3361 received G2983 it?
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Exodus 11
Commentary on Exodus 11 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 11
Ex 11:1-10. Death of the First-born Threatened.
1. the Lord said—rather, "had said unto Moses." It may be inferred, therefore, that he had been apprised that the crisis had now arrived, that the next plague would so effectually humble and alarm the mind of Pharaoh, that he would "thrust them out thence altogether"; and thus the word of Moses (Ex 10:29), must be regarded as a prediction.
2, 3. Speak now in the ears of the people—These verses, describing the communication which had been made in private to Moses, are inserted here as a parenthesis, and will be considered (Ex 12:35).
4. Thus saith the Lord, About midnight—Here is recorded the announcement of the last plague made in the most solemn manner to the king, on whose hardened heart all his painful experience had hitherto produced no softening, at least no permanently good effect.
will I go out into the midst of Egypt—language used after the manner of men.
5. And all the first-born in the land … shall die—The time, the suddenness, the dreadful severity of this coming calamity, and the peculiar description of victims, among both men and beasts, on whom it was to fall, would all contribute to aggravate its character.
the maid-servant that is behind the mill—The grinding of the meal for daily use in every household is commonly done by female slaves and is considered the lowest employment. Two portable millstones are used for the purpose, of which the uppermost is turned by a small wooden handle, and during the operation the maid sits behind the mill.
6. shall be a great cry throughout all the land—In the case of a death, people in the East set up loud wailings, and imagination may conceive what "a great cry" would be raised when death would invade every family in the kingdom.
7. against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue—No town or village in Egypt or in the East generally is free from the nuisance of dogs, who prowl about the streets and make the most hideous noise at any passers-by at night. What an emphatic significance does the knowledge of this circumstance give to this fact in the sacred record, that on the awful night that was coming, when the air should be rent with the piercing shrieks of mourners, so great and universal would be the panic inspired by the hand of God, that not a dog would move his tongue against the children of Israel!
8. all these thy servants shall … bow down themselves unto me—This would be the effect of the universal terror; the hearts of the proudest would be humbled and do reverential homage to God, in the person of His representative.
went out … in a great anger—Holy and righteous indignation at the duplicity, repeated falsehood, and hardened impenitence of the king; and this strong emotion was stirred in the bosom of Moses, not at the ill reception given to himself, but the dishonor done to God (Mt 19:8; Eph 4:26).