The big picture
Exodus 11 opens in verse 1 with “And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 5 with “And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that…”, and closes in verse 10 with “And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened…” Repeated or prominent terms include Egypt, LORD, land, Moses, Pharaoh. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Exodus · King James Version · 10Exodus 11:1-5
1–5: The LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh…
Exodus 11:1–5 opens with “And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt…” and reaches “And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Exodus 11 develops its own movement around Egypt, LORD, land, Moses, Pharaoh, with particular weight carried by Egypt, firstborn, LORD.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour…” Naming Speak keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Exodus 11:1-5
King James Version1And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.
2Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.
3And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people.
4And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD , About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:
5And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.
Exodus 11:6-10
6–10: There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as…
Exodus 11:6–10 opens with “And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it…” and reaches “And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Exodus 11 develops its own movement around Egypt, LORD, land, Moses, Pharaoh, with particular weight carried by Israel, land, LORD.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Exodus 11:6-10
King James Version6And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.
7But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
8And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.
9And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.
10And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Exodus 11:1 begins with “And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go…”
Where the chapter turns
Exodus 11:7 forms a natural hinge: “But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference…”
The final note
Exodus 11:10 leaves the reader with “And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Egypt, LORD, land, Moses, Pharaoh, firstborn help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
How will Abram's story answer Babel?
The builders seek to make their own name; God promises to make Abram's name great and to bless other families through him.
What obstacles frame the coming promise?
The family has not reached Canaan, and Sarai has no child.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thy
- your
- doth
- does
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.