Exodus 7:11

Magicians] lit. 'engravers, sacred scribes': cp. Genesis 41:8 RV. They are depicted on the monuments with a quill pen on their heads and a book in their hands. A belief in magic was universal in Egypt and had a most potent influence in every department of thought and conduct. The magicians were a recognised body of men whose services were very frequently employed to interpret dreams, to avert misfortune, or to bring discomfiture upon an enemy: cp. on Numbers 22:5. Here Pharaoh calls his magicians to a trial of strength with Moses and Aaron, and they are able to imitate some of the wonders. In the end, however, they confess themselves beaten (Exodus 8:19). According to Jewish tradition two of the magicians who 'withstood Moses' were called Jannes and Jambres: see 2 Timothy 3:8.