Exodus 7:11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 7:8-13

The first time that Moses made his application to Pharaoh, he produced his instructions only; now he is directed to produce his credentials, and does accordingly. 1. It is taken for granted that Pharaoh would challenge these demandants to work a miracle, that, by a performance evidently above the power of nature, they might prove their commission from the God of nature. Pharaoh will say, Show a miracle; not with any desire to be convinced, but with the hope that none will be wrought, and then... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 7:11

Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers ,.... The cunning men and wizards, a sort of jugglers and deceivers, who pretended to great knowledge of things, to discover secrets, tell fortunes, and predict things to come, and by legerdemain tricks, and casting a mist before people's eyes, pretended to do very wonderful and amazing things; and therefore Pharaoh sent for these, to exercise their art and cunning, and see if they could not vie with Moses and Aaron: now the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 7:11

Pharaoh - called the wise men - חכמים chacamim , the men of learning. Sorcerers, כשפים cashshephim , those who reveal hidden things; probably from the Arabic root kashafa , to reveal, uncover, etc., signifying diviners, or those who pretended to reveal what was in futurity, to discover things lost, to find hidden treasures, etc. Magicians, חרטמי chartummey , decipherers of abstruse writings. See Clarke's note on Genesis 41:8 . They also did in like manner with their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 7:11

Verse 11 11.Then Pharaoh also called. The impiety of the tyrant, which had before lain hid in the recesses of his heart, now breaks forth; when he does not hesitate to enter into the lists with God. For he was sufficiently instructed in the wonderful power of God, had not his iniquity urged him onwards into desperate madness. In asking for a sign, he thought (as I before said) that he should have had just cause for despising Moses; as the wicked trust that they may do anything with impunity,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:8-13

The credentials of God's ambassadors to the froward. I. THE DEMANDS OF GOD , THOUGH REJECTED , CANNOT BE BANISHED . The rod which Pharaoh refuses to be shepherded by, cast down before him, springs into life. To those who refuse obedience to God's Word, that Word will cling and become a living thing. Israel thought to have done with God and to be like the heathen: it was a vain dream. Pharaoh would shake off care, and become like one of whom God had asked nothing:... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:8-13

The first sign to Pharaoh: the rod becomes a serpent. I. NOTICE THE REMARKABLE REQUEST WHICH JEHOVAH INDICATES THAT PHARAOH MAY MAKE . Perhaps we might even say, will make. "When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you." This is a great change from his former attitude, that he should be capable of stooping to such a request. But men who have despotic power sometimes do strange and contradictory things. The freaks of tyrants in the way of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:8-14

The rod turned into a serpent. On this sign, notice— I. ITS SIGNIFICANCE . 1 . Its distinctness from the similar sign wrought for the conviction of the Israelites. On the meaning of the latter, see Exodus 4:1-6 . There the serpent into which the rod was turned seemed to denote the power of the monarch—the royal and divine power of Egypt—of which the serpent was an Egyptian emblem. However threatening the aspect of this power to Moses and the Israelites, the sign taught them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:10-12

False imitations of things Divine not difficult of detection. It is Satan's wont, in all ages and on all possible occasions, to set up counterfeits of things Divine, in order to confuse men's minds, and make them mistake the false for the true. Aaron no sooner works a true miracle, a real proof that he is a prophet of God ( Exodus 7:1 ), than Satan's instruments, the magicians of Egypt, are ready with an imitation of the miracle, on which they base a claim that Pharaoh is not to listen... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:10-13

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:11

Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers . That magic was an object of much attention and study in Egypt is abundantly evident from "The tale of Setnau", "The Magic Papyrus", and many other writings. It consisted, to a large extent, in charms, which were thought to have power over men and beasts, especially over reptiles. What amount of skill and power the Egyptian magicians possessed may perhaps be doubted. Many commentators believe them to have been in actual communication With... read more

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