_A.M. 2513. B.C. 1491._ Pharaoh had bid Moses get out of his presence, Exodus 10:28, and Moses had promised this should be the last time he would trouble him, yet he resolves to say out what he had to say, before he left him. Accordingly we have in this chapter, (1,) _ The instructions God had giv... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord said_ Or rather, _had said_, for this and the next verse are only a recapitulation of what had been revealed to Moses in mount Horeb, (Exodus 3:20, and Exodus 4:23,) and, together with the third verse, ought to be read as a parenthesis. Accordingly, it is evident that the 4th verse is a co... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let every man ask_ (not borrow!) _of his neighbour_ The Israelites, who at first lived distinctly by themselves, when they were greatly multiplied, and Pharaoh began to cast a jealous eye upon them, and to take cruel counsels against them, were more mixed with the Egyptians, as appears from Exodus... [ Continue Reading ]
_The man Moses was very great_ The Egyptians all held him in great esteem and veneration, as a person that had an extraordinary power with God. This seems to be mentioned as the reason why Pharaoh did not attempt any thing against his person; and also why he and the Israelites found so much favour i... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will go out into the midst of Egypt_ By an angel, who, as appears from Exodus 12:23, was ordered to do this execution. The whole series of the narration shows that this verse connects with the end of the preceding chapter, and that the following denunciation was pronounced by Moses at that time,... [ Continue Reading ]
The _death of the firstborn_ had been threatened, Exodus 4:23, but is last executed, and less judgments are 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! _Tha... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shall not a dog move his tongue_ A proverbial expression, importing all should be peace and quietness among the Israelites, far from any frightful outcry: that in that memorable night they should meet with nothing to molest or disturb them.... [ Continue Reading ]
_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... [ Continue Reading ]