Bible Commentaries

Exodus 11:1 to Exodus 12:36. 10°. Death of Egyptian Firstborn; Passover and Mazzoth (Exodus 11:1-3 E, Exodus 11:4-8 J, Exodus 11:9 f. R, Exodus 12:1-20 P, Exodus 12:21-23 J, Exodus 12:24 P, Exodus 12:25-27 a "houses" Rd, Exodus 12:27 b J, Exodus 12:28 P, Exodus 12:29-34 J, Exodus 12:35 f. E).—The narrative now reaches its climax in the last plague, which finally breaks the resolution of the Pharaoh, and results in the Exodus of Israel. But the last editor, whose interest was in the institutions he loved, has weakened the dramatic force of the sequence of events by inserting at length the ceremonial details of Passover and Mazzoth. The account begins with the announcement from E in Exodus 11:1-3 of "one plague (or stroke) more," and the direction (anticipated Exodus 3:21 f., and executed Exodus 12:35 f.) to beg jewels from neighbours. Add in Exodus 11:2 (with LXX, Sam.) "and raiment." The prestige of "the man Moses" (cf. Numbers 12:3) is noted as ground for the request. Then in Exodus 11:4-8 comes the conclusion from Exodus 10:29 J of Moses's last address to Pharaoh, specifying the death of the firstborn of Egyptian men and cattle. The maid crouching behind the household hand-mill (Exodus 11:5) represents the lowest grade of sufferers. The desire to get rid of Israel in Exodus 11:8 J is in agreement with the giving of jewels described in E. In Exodus 11:9 f. the editor has given a summary from P, perhaps belonging to an earlier place.