- Book: [[Exodus]] - Previous chapter: [[Exodus 10]] - Next chapter: [[Exodus 12]] > [!summary] Summary > - [[Yahweh]] announces the final plague: the death of every firstborn in [[Egypt]], from [[Pharaoh]] to slave to cattle > - [[Israel]] will leave with silver and gold from their [[Egyptian]] neighbors, plundering [[Egypt]] > - [[Pharaoh]] will not listen — the wonders must be multiplied and the distinction between [[Israel]] and [[Egypt]] made complete > [!info] Why is this here? > - Announces the climactic tenth plague that will finally break [[Pharaoh]]'s resistance > - The contrast between [[Egypt]]'s wailing and [[Israel]]'s undisturbed peace ("not a dog will bark") shows the full separation of the two peoples > - The plundering of [[Egypt]] fulfills the promise of [[Exodus 3:21-22]] and frames [[Israel]]'s departure as coming out of slavery with payment # Overview ## v. 1-3: Preparation for departure - God tells [[Moses]] this is the last plague; after it, [[Pharaoh]] will drive them out - [[Israelites]] are to ask their [[Egyptian]] neighbors for articles of silver and gold - [[Moses]] is highly regarded by [[Pharaoh]]'s officials and the [[Egyptian]] people ## v. 4-8: The announcement of the final plague - At midnight, every firstborn in [[Egypt]] will die — from [[Pharaoh]]'s son to the prisoner's son to the livestock - Loud wailing throughout [[Egypt]] - "But among the [[Israelites]] not a dog will bark" — complete peace and distinction - After this, [[Pharaoh]]'s own officials will bow and beg [[Israel]] to leave > [!note] From firstborn to firstborn > The killing of [[Egypt]]'s firstborn directly mirrors [[Exodus 4:22-23]], where [[Yahweh]] declared [[Israel]] his firstborn and warned that refusing to release them would mean the death of [[Egypt]]'s firstborn. The final plague is the execution of a long-announced judgment. ## v. 9-10: [[Pharaoh]]'s refusal confirmed - God reiterates his purpose: [[Pharaoh]]'s refusal multiplies the wonders in [[Egypt]] - [[Moses]] and [[Aaron]] have performed all the signs; [[Pharaoh]]'s heart remains hard