[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. [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. [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.
The death of the first - born had been threatened, 4:23,
but is last executed, and less judgments tried, which, if they had done
the work, would have prevented this. See how slow God is to wrath, and
how willing to be met in the way of his judgments, and to have his anger
turned away! That sitteth upon his throne - That is to set. The maid -
servant behind the mill - The poor captive slave, employed in the hardest
labour.
[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. [9]
And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that
my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt. [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.
All these thy servants - Thy courtiers and great officers:
The people that follow thee - That are under thy conduct: and command.
When Moses had thus delivered his message, he went out from Pharaoh in
great anger, though he was the meekest of all the men of the earth. Probably
he expected that the very threatening of the death of the first - born
should have wrought upon Pharaoh to comply; especially he having complied
so far already, and having seen how exactly all Moses's predictions were
fulfilled. But it had not that effect; his proud heart would not yield,
no not to save all the first - born of his kingdom. Moses hereupon was
provoked to a holy indignation, being grieved, as our Saviour afterwards,
for the hardness of his heart, 3:5.
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