Matthew Poole and continuators on Exodus 11

1 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, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether .

Either 1. Whilest Moses was not yet gone out of Pharaohs presence: So God might suggest this to his mind, as he did other things to Michaiah, when he was before Ahab and Iehosaphat, 1 King. 22. or rather 2. before his last coming to Pharaoh, and the words may be rendred thus, Now the Lord had said unto Moses. And this is here added, as the reason why Moses spake so boldly to Pharaoh, because God had assured him of a good issue.

Men and women and children and cattel, and all that they had, which he would never do before.

Marginal references: chap. 12▪ 31, 33, 39.

2 Speak 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.

The Israelites who at first lived distinctly by themselves when they were greatly multiplyed, and Pharaoh began to cast a jealous eye upon them and to take cruel counsels against them, were more mixed with the Egyptians, as appears from chap. 12. 12, 13. and many other places, either by their own choice, that they might receive protection and sustenance from them; or rather by Pharaohs design, who planted many of his own people among them, to watch and chastise them, Exod. 1. 11. and, it may be, removed some of them from Goshen to the parts adjoyning to it which were inhabited by his people.

Or, vessels, as the Hebrew word properly signifies; for they might more plausibly ask, and the Egyptians would with less suspition lend them vessels, which might be proper and useful both for their sacrifices and feasts, than Jewels for which they had no present need or use.

Marginal references: chap. 3. 22. and 12. 35.

3 And 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 Pharaohs servants, and in the sight of the people .

Therefore they complyed with their request not onely out of love to the people, but out of fear of Moses, lest he should punish them severely in case of refusal.

Marginal references: Eccl. 45. 1.

4 And Moses said , Thus saith the LORD, About Midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt.

To Pharaoh, before his departure, as appears by comparing ver. 8. with chap. 10. 29. And therefore the three first verses of this chapter come in by way of parenthesis, and now he returns to the story, and sets down the last words which Moses spake to Pharaoh for a final parting.

God is said to go out or go forth, or come down, &c. by way of condescension to the custom and capacity of men, when he doth any eminent act of power either in way of Justice or mercy.

5 And all the first-born of the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne , even unto the first-born of the maid-servant that is behind the mill , and all the first-born of beasts.

Either now actually, ruling with his father, as Solomon did even whilest David lived, 1 King. 1. 34. or more probably, he that is to sit, the present time for the future, he whose right this is by the custom of Egypt, and by the law of Nations.

The poor captive slave that was in the prison, as it is, chap. 12. 29. and there did grind at the Mill. In those times and places they had diverse Mills, which were not turned about by wind or water, as ours are, but by the hands of their servants, who for that purpose stood behind the mill and so with hard labour turned it about. See Iudg. 16. 21. Isa. 47. 1, 2. Lam. 5. 13.

7 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 between the Egyptians and Israel.

In stead of those loud cries of the Egyptian families, there shall be so great a tranquillity among the Israelites, that even the dogs, which are sensible of and awaked and provoked by the least noise, shall not be stirred up by them.

Marginal references: chap. 8. 22.

8 And all these thy servants shall come down unto me , and bowe 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 .

Thy Courtiers and great Officers, who now are so insolent and obstinate.

Both by their own inclination and necessity, and in thy name and by thy command.

That are under thy conduct and command, as this or the like expression is used Iud[illegible: 1+ letters]. 4. 1[illegible: 1+ letters]. 1 King. 20. 1[illegible: 1+ letters]. 2 King. 3. 9. Isa. 41. 2.

Not so much for the affront offered to himself, as for his incurable rebellion against God. Compare Mark 3. 5.

Marginal references: ch. 12. 31, 33.; Heb. that is at thy feet.; Heb. heat of anger.