CHAPTER XI _God purposes to bring another plague upon Pharaoh, after_ _which he should let the Israelites go_, 1. _They are commanded to ask gold and silver from the Egyptians_, 2. _The estimation in which Moses was held among the Egyptians_, 3. _Moses predicts the destruction of the first-born... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 11:2. _LET EVERY MAN BORROW_] For a proper correction of the strange mistranslation of the word שאל _shaal_ in this verse, Exodus 3:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 11:3. _THE MAN MOSES_ WAS _VERY GREAT_] The miracles which Pharaoh and his servants had already seen him work had doubtless impressed them with a high opinion of his wisdom and power. Had he not appeared in their sight as a very extraordinary person, whom it would have been very dangero... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 11:4. _ABOUT MIDNIGHT WILL I GO OUT_] Whether God did this by the ministry of a _good_ or of an _evil_ angel is a matter of little importance, though some commentators have greatly magnified it. Both kinds of angels are under his power and jurisdiction, and he may employ them as he plea... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 11:5. _THE FIRST-BORN OF PHARAOH, C._] From the heir to the Egyptian throne to the son of the most abject slave, or the principal person in each family. Exodus 12:29. _THE MAID-SERVANT THAT_ IS _BEHIND THE MILL_] The meanest slaves were employed in this work. In many parts of the east... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 11:6. _THERE SHALL BE A GREAT CRY_] Of the dying and for the dead. See more on this subject, Exodus 12:30.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 11:7. _NOT A DOG MOVE HIS TONGUE_] This passage has been generally understood as a _proverbial expression_, intimating that the Israelites should not only be free from this death, but that they should depart without any kind of molestation. For though there must be much bustle and compa... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 11:8. _AND ALL THESE THY SERVANTS SHALL COME_] A prediction of what actually took place. See Exodus 12:31-2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 11:9. _PHARAOH SHALL NOT HEARKEN UNTO YOU_] Though _shall_ and _will_ are both reputed signs of the future tense, and by many indiscriminately used, yet they make a most essential difference in composition in a variety of cases. For instance, if we translate לא ישמע _lo yishma_, Pharao... [ Continue Reading ]