Bible Commentaries
Exodus 11

Verse 1

And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague [more] upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let [you] go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.

One plague more upon Pharaoh. — Who, after the hardness of his impenitent heart, treasured up to himself wrath. Romans 2:5 God strikes still "upon the thick bosses of his buckler." Job 15:26 When men are no whit better by afflictions, and worse with admonitions, God finds it time to strike home.

Verse 2

Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.

Borrow of his neighbour. — This was an extraordinary command, and may not be made a precedent but in the same case, and upon the same warrant. The Lawgiver only can dispense with his own law. Ordinarily it is "the wicked" that "borroweth, and payeth not again." Psalms 37:21

Verse 3

And the LORD gave the people favour 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.

Was very great in the land of Egypt. — Great he was both in gifts and authority; so that for his sake the Israelites might have what they would of the Egyptians. It was not here as once at Rome, Calamitas nostra Magnus est. Sic Mimus olim de Pompeio, plaudente populo Romano tam eleganti soloecismo.

Verse 4

And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:

And Moses said,. — sc., Before he went out of Pharaoh’s presence: for afterwards he saw his face no more. Exodus 10:29

Verse 5

And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that [is] behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

That sitteth upon his throne. — As co-partner in the kingdom. Our Henry II crowned his eldest son Henry while he was yet alive. But this young king, through discontent, fell into a fever, whereof he died before his father; who cast him away first by his indulgence, and after by his rigour, not suffering him to be what himself had made him. Mr Knox, in his "History of Scotland," reporteth of one Sir John Hamilton, murdered by the king’s means, that he appeared to him in a vision with a naked sword drawn, and struck off both his arms with these words, Take this before thou receive a final payment for all thine impieties; and within twenty-four hours two of the king’s sons died.

That is behind the mill. — The hand mill which they drove before them. Judges 16:21 Isaiah 47:2 Matthew 24:41

Verse 6

And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.

A great cry. — Because in every house there shall be a dead corpse, and so a Conclamatum est. They had made Israel cry: and God usually retaliates spoil to spoil, Ezekiel 39:10 number to number, Isaiah 65:11-12 choice to choice, Isaiah 66:3-4 cry to cry, James 5:1 ; James 5:4 …

Verse 7

But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.

Shall not a dog move his tongue. — And yet how many dead dogs do now-a-days bark and snarl Canina facundia. at the Israel of God! Which, nevertheless, is not without God, 2 Samuel 16:9-10 who will one day make iniquity to stop her mouth, Job 5:16 Why should this dead dog curse? said Abishai.

Verse 8

And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.

In a great anger. — Heb., In heat of anger; wherewith in the cause of God he was blessedly blown up. Meekness here had been but mopishness.

Verse 9

And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.

That my wonders. — See Trapp on " Romans 9:17 "]

Verse 10

And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.

Did all these wonders. — But all was worse than spilt upon him: he was even set in sin, and resolved never to remove. God had a hand in it.