Exodus 11 Study Notes
General
What were the Israelites told to do before the last plague (11:2-3), and why did the Egyptians respond well?
Answer: Ask their Egyptian neighbors to give them silver and gold objects, and the LORD made the Egyptians favorable toward them
Moses is told to instruct the people, both men and women, to ask their Egyptian neighbors to give them silver and gold objects (11:2). The LORD then causes the Egyptians to look on Israel with favor (11:3). This fulfills what God had told Moses at the burning bush, that Israel would not leave empty-handed (3:21-22), and goes back even further to His promise to Abram that his descendants would come out of slavery with great possessions (Genesis 15:13-14). The text presents this as God's doing: He gave the command, and He turned the Egyptians' hearts to give. Psalm 105 remembers Israel leaving Egypt carrying silver and gold (Psalm 105:37-38).
- Exodus 11:2-3 (BSB)“Now announce to the people that men and women alike should ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.”Israel is to ask the Egyptians for silver and gold, and the LORD gives them favor with the Egyptians.
- Genesis 15:13-14 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions.”God had promised Abram that after judging the enslaving nation, his descendants would come out with many possessions.
- Exodus 3:21-22 (BSB)“And I will grant this people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that when you leave, you will not go away empty-handed. Every woman shall ask her neighbor and any woman staying in her house for silver and gold jewelry and clothing, and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians.””At the burning bush God foretold that Israel would not leave empty-handed but would ask for silver, gold, and clothing.
- Psalm 105:37-38 (BSB)“He brought Israel out with silver and gold, and none among His tribes stumbled. Egypt was glad when they departed, for the dread of Israel had fallen on them.”The psalm remembers God bringing Israel out with silver and gold while Egypt rejoiced at their departure.
Theological
What instruction does 11:2-3 give, and to what does it attribute the Egyptians' response?
Answer: To request silver and gold objects from their neighbors, with the LORD granting them favor in the Egyptians' eyes
The people, both men and women, are to request silver and gold articles from their neighbors (11:2), and the LORD grants them favor with the Egyptians (11:3). The text attributes the outcome to God, who both commands the request and inclines the Egyptians to grant it. The episode fulfills the word at the bush that Israel would not go out empty (3:21-22) and ultimately the covenant promise to Abram that after judging the oppressing nation God would bring his offspring out with great possessions (Genesis 15:13-14), which Psalm 105:37-38 celebrates.
- Exodus 11:2-3 (BSB)“Now announce to the people that men and women alike should ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.”Israel is to ask the Egyptians for silver and gold, and the LORD gives them favor with the Egyptians.
- Genesis 15:13-14 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions.”God had promised Abram that after judging the enslaving nation, his descendants would come out with many possessions.
- Exodus 3:21-22 (BSB)“And I will grant this people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that when you leave, you will not go away empty-handed. Every woman shall ask her neighbor and any woman staying in her house for silver and gold jewelry and clothing, and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians.””At the burning bush God foretold that Israel would not leave empty-handed but would ask for silver, gold, and clothing.
- Psalm 105:37-38 (BSB)“He brought Israel out with silver and gold, and none among His tribes stumbled. Egypt was glad when they departed, for the dread of Israel had fallen on them.”The psalm remembers God bringing Israel out with silver and gold while Egypt rejoiced at their departure.
General
What final judgment does Moses announce in 11:4-6?
Answer: Around midnight the LORD will go through Egypt, and all the firstborn will die, from Pharaoh's son to the slave girl's son, and the firstborn animals too
Moses announces that around midnight the LORD Himself will pass through Egypt (11:4). Every firstborn son throughout Egypt is to die, from the heir of the reigning Pharaoh to the son of the lowliest servant girl grinding grain at the mill, along with the firstborn animals (11:5). A great cry of grief unlike any before or after will rise over the whole land (11:6). This is the judgment God had told Moses to warn Pharaoh about from the beginning: Israel is God's firstborn son, and because Pharaoh refused to let God's son go, Pharaoh's own firstborn would die (4:22-23). The warning is fulfilled exactly in 12:29-30, and later psalms praise God for this act (Psalm 135:8-9).
- Exodus 11:4-6 (BSB)“So Moses declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt, and every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the servant girl behind the hand mill, as well as the firstborn of all the cattle. Then a great cry will go out over all the land of Egypt. Such an outcry has never been heard before and will never be heard again.”Moses announces that at about midnight the LORD will go through Egypt and every firstborn will die.
- Exodus 4:22-23 (BSB)“Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son, and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’””From the start God gave Moses this warning for Pharaoh: because he refused to release Israel, God's firstborn, Pharaoh's own firstborn would die.
- Exodus 12:29-30 (BSB)“Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead.”The announced judgment is carried out at midnight, with loud wailing throughout Egypt.
- Psalm 135:8-9 (BSB)“He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, of both man and beast. He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants.”The psalm praises God for striking down Egypt's firstborn, both human and animal.
Theological
What judgment is announced in 11:4-6?
Answer: At about midnight the LORD will go through Egypt and all the firstborn will die, from Pharaoh's to the slave girl's, and the firstborn cattle too
The tenth plague is announced as the LORD's own act: about midnight He will go out through Egypt (11:4), and death will fall on every firstborn, from the heir on the throne to the child of the lowest slave at the mill, including the firstborn of cattle (11:5), producing an unprecedented cry throughout the land (11:6). The judgment corresponds to the message God gave Moses for Pharaoh at the outset: Israel is the LORD's firstborn son, and Pharaoh's refusal to release him would be answered with the death of Pharaoh's own firstborn (4:22-23). Its execution in 12:29-30 and its celebration in Psalm 135:8-9 confirm it as God's righteous judgment.
- Exodus 11:4-6 (BSB)“So Moses declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt, and every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the servant girl behind the hand mill, as well as the firstborn of all the cattle. Then a great cry will go out over all the land of Egypt. Such an outcry has never been heard before and will never be heard again.”Moses announces that at about midnight the LORD will go through Egypt and every firstborn will die.
- Exodus 4:22-23 (BSB)“Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son, and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’””From the start God gave Moses this warning for Pharaoh: because he refused to release Israel, God's firstborn, Pharaoh's own firstborn would die.
- Exodus 12:29-30 (BSB)“Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead.”The announced judgment is carried out at midnight, with loud wailing throughout Egypt.
- Psalm 135:8-9 (BSB)“He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, of both man and beast. He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants.”The psalm praises God for striking down Egypt's firstborn, both human and animal.
General
True or False: By this point, Moses was greatly respected in Egypt, both among Pharaoh's officials and among the Egyptian people.
Answer: True
This is true. The text says that Moses was held in great esteem in Egypt, in the eyes of Pharaoh's officials and of the people (11:3). Pharaoh himself still refused to listen, but the Egyptians had seen the miracles God did through Moses. Deuteronomy looks back on those same miracles done before Pharaoh, his court, and all Egypt (Deuteronomy 34:10-12), and Stephen later recalls the wonders and miraculous signs Moses performed in Egypt (Acts 7:36).
- Exodus 11:3 (BSB)“And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.”Alongside the favor given to Israel, the text notes the high standing Moses now had in Egypt.
- Deuteronomy 34:10-12 (BSB)“Since that time, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face— no prophet who did all the signs and wonders that the LORD sent Moses to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh and to all his officials and all his land, and no prophet who performed all the mighty acts of power and awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.”Moses is remembered for the signs and wonders God sent him to do in Egypt before Pharaoh, his officials, and all his land.
- Acts 7:36 (BSB)“He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.”Stephen recalls the wonders and signs God worked through Moses in Egypt.
Theological
True or False: According to 11:3, Moses was held in high regard in Egypt among Pharaoh's servants and among the Egyptian people.
Answer: True
This is true. The text records that Moses stood very high in Egyptian eyes, among Pharaoh's servants and the populace (11:3), even as Pharaoh himself continued to resist. That standing arose in the setting of the miracles God performed by him before Pharaoh, his servants, and the whole country (Deuteronomy 34:10-12), which Stephen likewise recalls as wonders and signs done in Egypt (Acts 7:36).
- Exodus 11:3 (BSB)“And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.”Alongside the favor given to Israel, the text notes the high standing Moses now had in Egypt.
- Deuteronomy 34:10-12 (BSB)“Since that time, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face— no prophet who did all the signs and wonders that the LORD sent Moses to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh and to all his officials and all his land, and no prophet who performed all the mighty acts of power and awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.”Moses is remembered for the signs and wonders God sent him to do in Egypt before Pharaoh, his officials, and all his land.
- Acts 7:36 (BSB)“He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.”Stephen recalls the wonders and signs God worked through Moses in Egypt.
General
What will the peace among the Israelites on that night show, according to 11:7?
Answer: That the LORD treats Israel differently from Egypt
While all Egypt cries out in grief, among the Israelites no dog will so much as growl at a person or an animal (11:7). This complete calm will show that the LORD sets Israel apart from Egypt. God had been showing this difference throughout the plagues: the flies stayed away from the region where Israel lived (8:22-23), and Israel's livestock were spared (9:4). God knows and protects His own people. Malachi later speaks of a day when the line between God's servants and the ungodly would again be plain to see (Malachi 3:18).
- Exodus 11:7 (BSB)“But among all the Israelites, not even a dog will snarl at man or beast.’ Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.”In contrast to Egypt's grief, Israel will be so untouched that not even a dog will threaten them, showing God's distinction between the two peoples.
- Exodus 8:22-23 (BSB)“But on that day I will give special treatment to the land of Goshen, where My people live; no swarms of flies will be found there. In this way you will know that I, the LORD, am in the land. I will make a distinction between My people and your people. This sign will take place tomorrow.’””During the flies God first announced that He would make a distinction between His people and Pharaoh's people.
- Exodus 9:4 (BSB)“But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.’””In the livestock plague God again distinguished Israel's animals from Egypt's.
- Malachi 3:18 (BSB)“So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.””God's later promise that people would again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked echoes this distinction.
Theological
What does the undisturbed peace among Israel in 11:7 demonstrate?
Answer: That the LORD sets Israel apart from Egypt
Against the backdrop of Egypt's great cry, Israel will be so secure that no dog will growl at a person or an animal (11:7), demonstrating that the LORD sets His people apart from the Egyptians. The distinction has been a running theme of the plagues, from the flies that spared Goshen (8:22-23) to the sparing of Israel's livestock (9:4). It rests on the LORD's claim of Israel as His own people and firstborn son (4:22; 6:7), and Malachi 3:18 anticipates its final manifestation in the visible separation of God's servants from the ungodly.
- Exodus 11:7 (BSB)“But among all the Israelites, not even a dog will snarl at man or beast.’ Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.”In contrast to Egypt's grief, Israel will be so untouched that not even a dog will threaten them, showing God's distinction between the two peoples.
- Exodus 8:22-23 (BSB)“But on that day I will give special treatment to the land of Goshen, where My people live; no swarms of flies will be found there. In this way you will know that I, the LORD, am in the land. I will make a distinction between My people and your people. This sign will take place tomorrow.’””During the flies God first announced that He would make a distinction between His people and Pharaoh's people.
- Exodus 9:4 (BSB)“But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.’””In the livestock plague God again distinguished Israel's animals from Egypt's.
- Malachi 3:18 (BSB)“So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.””God's later promise that people would again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked echoes this distinction.
General
How does Moses' speech to Pharaoh end in 11:8?
Answer: Moses says the officials will bow to him and beg Israel to leave, and then he walks out burning with anger
Moses tells Pharaoh that his officials will come to Moses and bow low, pleading with him to take all his followers and leave; only then will he go (11:8). Then Moses leaves Pharaoh's presence in great anger. His prediction comes true in the night of the last plague, when Pharaoh calls for Moses and Aaron and the Egyptians hurry the Israelites out (12:31-33). The text does not criticize Moses' anger. Anger at stubborn rebellion against God can be right; Jesus Himself looked on hard-hearted people with anger mixed with sorrow (Mark 3:5), and Scripture speaks of being angry without sinning (Ephesians 4:26).
- Exodus 11:8 (BSB)“And all these officials of yours will come and bow before me, saying, ‘Go, you and all the people who follow you!’ After that, I will depart.” And hot with anger, Moses left Pharaoh’s presence.”Moses foretells that Pharaoh's officials will bow and beg Israel to leave, and he goes out from Pharaoh burning with anger.
- Exodus 12:31-33 (BSB)“Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also.” And in order to send them out of the land quickly, the Egyptians urged the people on. “For otherwise,” they said, “we are all going to die!””The prediction is fulfilled when Pharaoh summons Moses by night and the Egyptians urge Israel to leave quickly.
- Mark 3:5 (BSB)“Jesus looked around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart. Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored.”Jesus looked at hard-hearted opponents with anger and grief, showing that anger at hardness of heart can be righteous.
- Ephesians 4:26 (BSB)““Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger,”Scripture recognizes an anger that is not sinful.
Theological
How does Moses' final address in 11:8 conclude?
Answer: With a prediction that the officials will bow to Moses and beg Israel to go, followed by his departure in hot anger
Moses predicts that Pharaoh's officials will come down and prostrate themselves before him, urging him and his whole following to go, and only then will he depart (11:8). He then leaves in burning anger. The prediction is fulfilled in 12:31-33, when Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron in the night and the Egyptians press Israel to leave. The narrative does not censure Moses' anger, and Scripture recognizes a righteous indignation at hardness of heart, such as that of Christ, who looked on hardened opponents with anger and grief (Mark 3:5), an anger that does not sin (Ephesians 4:26).
- Exodus 11:8 (BSB)“And all these officials of yours will come and bow before me, saying, ‘Go, you and all the people who follow you!’ After that, I will depart.” And hot with anger, Moses left Pharaoh’s presence.”Moses foretells that Pharaoh's officials will bow and beg Israel to leave, and he goes out from Pharaoh burning with anger.
- Exodus 12:31-33 (BSB)“Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also.” And in order to send them out of the land quickly, the Egyptians urged the people on. “For otherwise,” they said, “we are all going to die!””The prediction is fulfilled when Pharaoh summons Moses by night and the Egyptians urge Israel to leave quickly.
- Mark 3:5 (BSB)“Jesus looked around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart. Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored.”Jesus looked at hard-hearted opponents with anger and grief, showing that anger at hardness of heart can be righteous.
- Ephesians 4:26 (BSB)““Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger,”Scripture recognizes an anger that is not sinful.
General
What does the LORD tell Moses in 11:1 about what will happen after one more plague?
Answer: Pharaoh will let Israel go, and in fact will force them out altogether
God tells Moses that He will bring just one more plague on Pharaoh and Egypt. After that, Pharaoh will not only let them go; he will force them out altogether (11:1). This is what God had promised earlier, that His strong hand would make Pharaoh expel Israel from his country (6:1), and what He had said at the burning bush, that Pharaoh would give in only after God struck Egypt with His wonders (3:19-20). The promise comes true in the next chapter, when Pharaoh and the Egyptians hurry Israel away in the night (12:31-33).
- Exodus 11:1 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt one more plague. After that, he will allow you to leave this place. And when he lets you go, he will drive you out completely.”The LORD tells Moses that one final plague remains, after which Pharaoh will not merely release Israel but drive them out.
- Exodus 6:1 (BSB)“But the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh, for because of My mighty hand he will let the people go; because of My strong hand he will drive them out of his land.””God had already promised that by His strong hand Pharaoh would drive Israel out of his land.
- Exodus 3:19-20 (BSB)“But I know that the king of Egypt will not allow you to go unless a mighty hand compels him. So I will stretch out My hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders I will perform among them. And after that, he will release you.”At the burning bush God foretold that Pharaoh would yield only after God struck Egypt with His wonders.
- Exodus 12:31-33 (BSB)“Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also.” And in order to send them out of the land quickly, the Egyptians urged the people on. “For otherwise,” they said, “we are all going to die!””The promise is fulfilled when Pharaoh and the Egyptians urgently send Israel away after the death of the firstborn.
Theological
What does the LORD announce in 11:1 concerning the outcome of the final plague?
Answer: Pharaoh will release Israel and indeed expel them completely
The LORD announces one final plague, after which Pharaoh will not merely permit Israel's departure but thrust them out entirely (11:1). The announcement recalls God's earlier promises that His strong hand would compel Pharaoh to expel Israel (6:1) and that release would come only after He struck Egypt with His wonders (3:19-20). Its fulfillment in 12:31-33, where Pharaoh and the Egyptians urgently send Israel away, shows the outcome was determined by God's word, not by Pharaoh's will.
- Exodus 11:1 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt one more plague. After that, he will allow you to leave this place. And when he lets you go, he will drive you out completely.”The LORD tells Moses that one final plague remains, after which Pharaoh will not merely release Israel but drive them out.
- Exodus 6:1 (BSB)“But the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh, for because of My mighty hand he will let the people go; because of My strong hand he will drive them out of his land.””God had already promised that by His strong hand Pharaoh would drive Israel out of his land.
- Exodus 3:19-20 (BSB)“But I know that the king of Egypt will not allow you to go unless a mighty hand compels him. So I will stretch out My hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders I will perform among them. And after that, he will release you.”At the burning bush God foretold that Pharaoh would yield only after God struck Egypt with His wonders.
- Exodus 12:31-33 (BSB)“Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also.” And in order to send them out of the land quickly, the Egyptians urged the people on. “For otherwise,” they said, “we are all going to die!””The promise is fulfilled when Pharaoh and the Egyptians urgently send Israel away after the death of the firstborn.
General
According to 11:9-10, why would Pharaoh refuse to listen?
Answer: So that God's wonders would increase in Egypt, and the LORD made Pharaoh's heart hard
God tells Moses ahead of time that Pharaoh will refuse to heed him, so that God's wonders will increase in Egypt (11:9). The chapter then sums up the whole plague section: Moses and Aaron performed every one of these miracles in Pharaoh's presence, yet it was the LORD who made his heart hard, and he would not release Israel (11:10). This matches exactly what God said before the plagues began (7:3-4). God was in control of Pharaoh's refusals for His own purpose of showing His power (Romans 9:17-18). Yet Pharaoh was not a puppet; he also hardened his own heart and was fully guilty, and God never tempts anyone to sin (James 1:13).
- Exodus 11:9-10 (BSB)“The LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he would not let the Israelites go out of his land.”The plague cycle closes with the LORD's word that Pharaoh would not listen and the statement that the LORD hardened his heart.
- Exodus 7:3-4 (BSB)“But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I will multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay My hand on Egypt, and by mighty acts of judgment I will bring the divisions of My people the Israelites out of the land of Egypt.”Before the plagues God said He would harden Pharaoh's heart and multiply His signs and wonders.
- Romans 9:17-18 (BSB)“For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.”Paul draws from Pharaoh's case that God hardens whom He wills.
- James 1:13 (BSB)“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.”God tempts no one to evil, so His hardening never makes Him the author of sin.
Theological
What reason does 11:9-10 give for Pharaoh's refusal to listen?
Answer: That the LORD's wonders might be multiplied in Egypt, the LORD having hardened Pharaoh's heart
The LORD states the purpose behind Pharaoh's refusal: that His wonders might be multiplied in Egypt (11:9). The narrator's summary of the plague cycle then attributes the outcome to divine hardening: though Moses and Aaron performed every one of these wonders, the LORD made Pharaoh's heart hard, and he would not release Israel (11:10), just as God announced in 7:3-4. Paul draws the doctrinal conclusion that God hardens whom He wills (Romans 9:17-18). This sovereign hardening operates concurrently with Pharaoh's own culpable self-hardening, and God is never the author of sin (James 1:13).
- Exodus 11:9-10 (BSB)“The LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he would not let the Israelites go out of his land.”The plague cycle closes with the LORD's word that Pharaoh would not listen and the statement that the LORD hardened his heart.
- Exodus 7:3-4 (BSB)“But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I will multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay My hand on Egypt, and by mighty acts of judgment I will bring the divisions of My people the Israelites out of the land of Egypt.”Before the plagues God said He would harden Pharaoh's heart and multiply His signs and wonders.
- Romans 9:17-18 (BSB)“For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.”Paul draws from Pharaoh's case that God hardens whom He wills.
- James 1:13 (BSB)“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.”God tempts no one to evil, so His hardening never makes Him the author of sin.