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Revision as of 03:15, 8 April 2004 by Mkmcconn (talk | contribs) (revise to a more widely accepted, and demonstrable, statement)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)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 כינים
- Beasts ערוב
- Plague דבר
- Boils שחין
- Storm ברד
- Locus 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.
See also
External Links
Exodus - relevant chapters
ch 9 - ch 10 - ch 11 - ch 12 .
- English: please add.