ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Exodus 7

Ex. 7:5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord. The Hebrew term translated “the Lord” is the name God revealed to Moses (3:14–15). The Egyptians will know “that I am Yahweh,” Israel’s covenant God. See note on 5:2.

7:8–15:21 Plagues and Exodus. This section includes the initial sign that Moses and Aaron perform before Pharaoh (7:8–13), the first nine plagues (7:14–10:29) leading up to the lengthy account and instructions surrounding the tenth plague and the exodus (11:1–13:16), and the crossing of the Red Sea and subsequent celebration (13:17–15:21).

Ex. 7:9 The staff signifies that God is the one working the signs through Moses and Aaron (see 4:1–17). See chart.

Ex. 7:11–12 This is the first of three times where the magicians of Egypt see the sign that Aaron performs and then do the same by their secret arts (also v. 22; 8:7). “Magician” likely refers to men who saw themselves as using their magic arts to serve Egypt’s gods but who also were considered teachers of wisdom. Exodus does not provide any further explanation of how the magicians performed these signs. Although the magicians were able to perform each sign, they did not control the situation completely, as when Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.

Ex. 7:13 While the recurring references to the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart show that the Lord is sovereign over the events (see 4:21; 7:3), they also show that Pharaoh is responsible for his own actions (see also 8:15, 32). See also Ps. 95:8; Heb. 3:7–4:13.

Ex. 7:14 Then the Lord said to Moses. This phrase introduces each plague (see 8:1; 16; 20; 9:1; 8; 13; 10:1; 21; 11:1). The events are governed by the word of the Lord spoken to Moses. Pharaoh’s heart is hardened. Even before the first plague, the Lord had said he would harden Pharaoh’s heart (4:21; 7:3). Pharaoh showed the state of his heart by refusing to listen (7:13).

Ex. 7:16 The Lord, the God of the Hebrews. To the king of a powerful nation like Egypt, the Lord’s identification with an enslaved people would seem to indicate that he had no power or authority. However, the Lord will reveal otherwise.

Ex. 7:19 even in vessels of wood and . . . stone. The extent of the first plague shows that it is not the result of natural causes.

Ex. 7:24–25 The description of the Egyptian people digging for water (v. 24) and the time frame of seven full days (v. 25) indicate that the magicians could not reverse the effects of the plague or cleanse the Nile.