Exodus 11

AND the LORD said unto Moses Either 1. Whilest Moses was not yet gone out of Pharaohs presence: So God might suggest this to his mind, as he did other things to Michaiah, when he was before Ahab and Iehosaphat, 1 King. 22. or rather 2. before his last coming to Pharaoh, and the words may be rendred thus, Now the Lord had said unto Moses. And this is here added, as the reason why Moses spake so boldly to Pharaoh, because God had assured him of a good issue., 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 Men and women and children and cattel, and all that they had, which he would never do before..

Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour The Israelites who at first lived distinctly by themselves when they were greatly multiplyed, 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 chap. 12. 12, 13. and many other places, either by their own choice, that they might receive protection and sustenance from them; or rather by Pharaohs design, who planted many of his own people among them, to watch and chastise them, Exod. 1. 11. and, it may be, removed some of them from Goshen to the parts adjoyning to it which were inhabited by his people., and every woman of her neighbour, jewels Or, vessels, as the Hebrew word properly signifies; for they might more plausibly ask, and the Egyptians would with less suspition lend them vessels, which might be proper and useful both for their sacrifices and feasts, than Jewels for which they had no present need or use. of silver, and jewels of gold.

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 Pharaohs servants, and in the sight of the people Therefore they complyed with their request not only out of love to the people, but out of fear of Moses, lest he should punish them severely in case of refusal..

And Moses said To Pharaoh, before his departure, as appears by comparing ver. 8. with chap. 10. 29. And therefore the three first verses of this chapter come in by way of parenthesis, and now he returns to the story, and sets down the last words which Moses spake to Pharaoh for a final parting., Thus says the LORD, About Midnight will I go out God is said to go out or go forth, or come down, &c. by way of condescension to the custom and capacity of men, when he does any eminent act of power either in way of Justice or mercy. into the midst of Egypt.

And all the first-born of the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne Either now actually, ruling with his father, as Solomon did even whilest David lived, 1 King. 1. 34. or more probably, he that is to sit, the present time for the future, he whose right this is by the custom of Egypt, and by the law of Nations., even unto the first-born of the maid-servant that is behind the mill The poor captive slave that was in the prison, as it is, chap. 12. 29. and there did grind at the Mill. In those times and places they had diverse Mills, which were not turned about by wind or water, as ours are, but by the hands of their servants, who for that purpose stood behind the mill and so with hard labour turned it about. See Iudg. 16. 21. Isa. 47. 1, 2. Lam. 5. 13., and all the first-born of beasts.

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.

But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue In stead of those loud cries of the Egyptian families, there shall be so great a tranquillity among the Israelites, that even the dogs, which are sensible of and awaked and provoked by the least noise, shall not be stirred up by them., against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD does put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.

And all these thy servants Thy Courtiers and great Officers, who now are so insolent and obstinate. shall come down unto me Both by their own inclination and necessity, and in thy name and by thy command., and bowe down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee That are under thy conduct and command, as this or the like expression is used Iud.... 4. 1.... 1 King. 20. 1.... 2 King. 3. 9. Isa. 41. 2.; and after that I will go out: and he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger Not so much for the affront offered to himself, as for his incurable rebellion against God. Compare Mark 3. 5..

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

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