Глава 11

1–3. An order to the people to take jewelry from the Egyptians. 4–10. Prediction of the tenth plague. Ex.11:1. And the Lord said to Moses: I will bring another plague on Pharaoh and on the Egyptians; after that he will let you go from here; when he releases [you], he will drive you away from here with haste; Exodus 11:2. Instruct the people [secretly] that every man from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor beg for things of silver and things of gold [and clothing]. Exodus 11:3. And the Lord gave mercy to [His] people in the eyes of the Egyptians, [and they gave to him;] and Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the eyes of [Pharaoh and] Pharaoh's servants and in the eyes of [all] the people. If Exodus 11:4–8 is a direct continuation of Exodus 10 (see above), then the first three verses, containing the story of the revelation to Moses about the onset of the tenth plague (Exodus 4:23, 12:29–32) and the circumstances of the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 3:21–22), obviously disrupt the flow of speech. In view of this, some exegetes suggest that the revelation contained in them falls at a time before the last explanation of Moses with Pharaoh (Exodus 10:24–29), and the story about it is placed after (Exodus 11:1–3) due to the fact that it sufficiently explains the boldness of Moses’ answer (Exodus 10:29). The textual basis for this understanding is the translation of Heb. “Vayomer” – “said” (Ex. 11:1) – long past tense. In particular, that Exodus 11:1–3 does not represent a new revelation, the proclamation of which also requires a new appearance in the face of Pharaoh, this is proven by the absence in this case of the usual formula: “go to Pharaoh and tell him” (Exodus 7:15, 8:1, 8:20, 9:1, 13, 10:1), which begins each new revelation. Exodus 11:4. And Moses said, Thus saith the Lord: At midnight I will pass through the midst of Egypt, Exodus 11:5. And every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the bondwoman who is at the millstone, and all the firstborn of livestock; Exodus 11:6. and there will be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as has never happened and will never happen again; See below for interpretation of Art. 31–32. Chapter 12 Exodus 11:7. But among all the children of Israel a dog shall not lift his tongue against man or beast, so that you may know what a difference the Lord makes between the Egyptians and the Israelites. While a cry will be heard in the land of Egypt, complete calm will be observed among the Israelites, no one and nothing will disturb even the guard dogs (Judith. 11:19). Exodus 11:8. And all these servants of yours will come to me and worship me, saying: Go out, you and all your people over whom you lead. After this I will go out. And [Moses] went out from Pharaoh in anger. For the reasons for this effect of the 10th plague on Pharaoh, see below in the explanation of Art. 31. Chapter 12 Exodus 11:9. And the Lord said to Moses, Pharaoh did not listen to you, so that My signs and wonders might be multiplied in the land of Egypt. Exodus 11:10. Moses and Aaron did all these [signs and] wonders before Pharaoh; but the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the children of Israel leave his land. The review of the first nine plagues ends with an indication of the exact fulfillment of divine commands by Moses and Aaron. You might be interested in: