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| However, they could not explain the ] of the plagues: according to the ] the plagues damaged only Egyptians, while Hebrews remain intact. The double-selectiveness off the last plague (10) - only first born dies - also cannot be explained. | However, they could not explain the ] of the plagues: according to the ] the plagues damaged only Egyptians, while Hebrews remain intact. The double-selectiveness off the last plague (10) - only first born dies - also cannot be explained. | ||
| Many modern ] agree that some of the plagues were indeed natural disasters, but argue that the fact they were brought up densed together in a short period points that God's hand was behind them. |
Many modern ] agree that some of the plagues were indeed natural disasters, but argue that the fact they were brought up densed together in a short period points that God's hand was behind them. | ||
| Indeed, several ] commentators (] and, more recently, ] ]) have pointed out that for the plagues to be a real test, they had to contain an element leading to doubt. For example, the splitting of the ] in ] appeared to be caused by "a strong eastern wind", providing the Egyptian pursuers grounds to doubt the Divine origin of the plague. | |||
| === Was the tenth plague moral? === | === Was the tenth plague moral? === | ||
Revision as of 10:37, 8 April 2004
The ten plagues (Eser Ha-Makot עשר מכות מצריים) were 10 disasters, executed against Egypt by God, in order to convince Pharaoh to let the Hebrews go. The ten plagues are described in the book of Exodus (שמות), chapters 7:14 - 12:42.
Some authorities say that the teaching purpose of the plagues is to demonstrate the powerlessness of Egypt's idols, affirming God's uniqueness and power. If God triumphed over the gods of Egypt, a world-leading nation, then the people of God would be strengthened in their faith although they are a small people, and would not be tempted to follow the deities that God put to shame.
The ten plagues were:
- Blood דם
- Frogs צפרדע
- Fleas or Gnats כינים
- Beasts or Flies ערוב
- Livestock דבר
- Boils שחין
- Storm ברד
- Locusts ארבה
- Darkness חושך
- Death of First Born מכת בכורות
The plagues
Blood (7:19 - 7:25)
The first plague was Blood. Its main purpose was to give Pharaoh a taste of God's might and strength, and to demonstrate Moses's confidence in God. According to the Hebrew Bible, Moses touched the river Nile with his staff, and all the water turned into blood. As a result, the fish of the Nile died, and Egypt was filled with stench. Other water resources used by the Egyptians were turned to blood as well (7:19). This plague lasted for seven days.
Frogs (7:26 - 8:11)
The second plague of Egypt was frogs. Herds of frogs overran Egypt and forced Pharoah to call upon Moses, to ask him to remove the frogs. Moses agreed and told him that the next day the frogs would be gone, as proof of God's might. The next day all the frogs in the Egyptian courts and houses died. Nevertheless, Pharaoh refused to let the Hebrews worship their God in the desert, according to the biblical account.
Fleas (8:12 - 8:15)
The third plague of Egypt was fleas. According to the Bible, the dust of the earth became many fleas which the Egyptian could not get rid off.
Beasts or Flies (8:16 - 8:28)
The fourth plague of Egypt was Arov ערוב. Commentaries usually render this word as flies, but others as beasts, capable of harming people and livestock. The Bible emphasizes that the arov only came against Egypt, and that the land of Goshen (where the Hebrews dwelt) was clean from it. Pharaoh asked Moses to remove this plague and promised to allow the Hebrews to worship God in the desert. However, after the plague was gone, Pharaoh "hardened his heart" and refused to keep his promise.
Livestock (9:1 - 9:7)
The fifth plague of Egypt was a disease which exterminated the Egyptian livestock; that is, horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep and goats. The Hebrew cattle were unharmed.
Boils (9:8 - 9:12)
The sixth plague of Egypt was Shkhin. The Shkhin was a kind of skin disease, known as Boils. The Hartum priests of Egypt could not heal this disease.
Storm (9:13 - 9:25)
The seventh plague of Egypt was an hard storm. The storm was a powerful shower of hail, combined with fire burning onto the ground. The storm heavily damaged Egyptian shrubbery and agricultural crops, as well as men and livestock. The storm struck all Egypt, except for the land of Goshen. Pharaoh asked Moses to remove this plague and promised to allow the Hebrews to worship God in the desert, saying "I have sinned: God is rightous, me and my people are evil". However, after the storm ceased, Pharaoh "hardened his heart" and refused to keep his promise.
Locusts (10:1 - 10:20)
The eigth plague of Egypt was locusts. The locusts swarmed Egypt and consumed all Egyptian crops, leaving no tree or plant standing on the face of Egypt. The swarm of locusts covered the sky and created darkness in Egypt. After Moses' threats and Egyptian plees Pharaoh agree to let only Hebrew men to go out to the desert, while women, children and livestock are to remain in Egypt. Mosed demands that all shall go and after failing to agree with Pharaoh, this plague strike Egypt. Pharaoh again asked Moses to remove this plague and promised to allow all the Hebrews to worship God in the desert. However, after the locusts gone away, Pharaoh "hardened his heart" and refused to keep his promise.
Darkness (10:21 - 10:29)
The ninth plague of Egypt was complete darkness, lasting for three days. Pharaoh calls Moses and agree to let the Hebrews go out to the desert, only livestock are to remain in Egypt. Mosed demands that also livestock will go and that Pharaoh will dontate a sacrifice. This outrages Pharaoh which threating Moses in death.
Death of First Born (11:1 - 12:42)
The tenth and last plague of Egypt was the Death of all Egyptian first born - from the king's first born to the widow's first born including first borns of livestock. This was the hardest and cruelest blow the God smith upon Egypt and that plague finaly made Pharaoh submit and letting the Hebrews go.
God told Moses that this plague will make Pharaoh send away the Hebrews and ordered him to prepare the people for leaving. He also ordered Moses to teach the ritual of Pesah sacrifing a lamb for god and eating Matzot ("Poor's Bread" לחם עוני). God told Moses to order the Hebrews to mark their doorstep with the lamb's blood, in order that the death strike will pass over them.
On the middle of the night, God himself came upon Egypt and took the life of all Egyptian first born sons, including Pharaoh's own first born son. There was a great cry in Egypt, such that have never been heard before. No Hebrew first born was killed, as God passed over Hebrew houses.
After this strike, Pharoah - furious and sad - ordered the Hebrews to go away, taking whatever they want. The Hebrews don't hasitated and at the end of this night left Egypt.
Discussions on the plagues
Were the plagues a miracle or just fortunate natural disasters?
Scientists and bible researched tried to explain that the plagues were natural disasters, and not unnatural miracle made by God. They managed to explained most of the plagues: the blood in the Nyle (1) was actually a pollution caused by vulkanic activity, which caused the frogs (2) to leave the river and brought herds of insects (3,4) which spread diseases (5,6). They also managed to explain the locusts (8) and speculate the the darkness (9) was caused by sun eclipse.
However, they could not explain the selectiveness of the plagues: according to the Hebrew Bible the plagues damaged only Egyptians, while Hebrews remain intact. The double-selectiveness off the last plague (10) - only first born dies - also cannot be explained.
Many modern Jews agree that some of the plagues were indeed natural disasters, but argue that the fact they were brought up densed together in a short period points that God's hand was behind them.
Indeed, several Biblical commentators (Nachmanides and, more recently, Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky) have pointed out that for the plagues to be a real test, they had to contain an element leading to doubt. For example, the splitting of the Red Sea in Exodus appeared to be caused by "a strong eastern wind", providing the Egyptian pursuers grounds to doubt the Divine origin of the plague.
Was the tenth plague moral?
The last plague seemed to many as very cruel and unjustified punishment for the Egyptians. A commom and widely acceptable Jewish Midrash explained the dreadful plague by expending on 10:28 were Pharoah threats to kill Moses:
- When Moses went to Pharoah to demand him let his people go. The whole event is happening in front of Pharaoh's first born son who teases and mocks his father for letting the Hebrew shepherd to humiliate him. Enraged by the insult and mad with pride, Pharoah decided to revenage the plagues and told Moses that he shell deal with the Hebrew is such a manner that a great cry will be heard in Egypt, such that have never been heard before, hinting for his father's act - drowing all Hebrew male children into the Nyle. Thus, Pharoah brought upon his people such an harsh punishment - is cruel plan has backfired and what Pharoah wanted to do the Hebrews, God made it happen to him.
This Midrash justifying the last plague with two main arguments:
- Mida ke-neged mida מידה כנגד מידה ("Eye for an eye") principle: in Bible the punishment fits to the crime (sin), not only in hardness, but also in symbolism. This is for pedagogic reason so everyone, including the sinner himself, shall know why he has been punished by God.
- Ha-kam le-hargecha hashken le-orgo הקם להרגך, השכם להורגו Self defence: Pharoah planned to slaughter all Hebrew children, by inflicting Pharoah the same thing he planned for the Hebrews, his evil planned was thrawted.
See also
External Links
Exodus - relevant chapters