Exodus 11

Exodus 11:1

THe Lord said] This was spoken to Moses by inspiration, (before he departed from the presence of Pharoah) having denounced the death of the first-born, after which time (as he said, Chap. 10. 5: last) he made his appearance no more before him.

thrust you out] He shall send you away without any condition, with hast and violence, as afraid to keepe you captives any longer: and without all hope to overcome the power, which hath so miraculously managed your cause against him.

Exodus 11:2

borrow] See Annot. on Chap. 2. 5: 22.

neighbour] Though at first the Israclites (planted in Goshen) had not much to do with the Egyptians, from whom they were (for the most part) separated in their manners and in their habitations, (for which a part of the Province of Goshen was sufficient) yet afterwards they multiplyed so much, that they spread all over that Countrey: and besides had many mixed habitations in other parts of Egypt, whence it was, that their doores were distinguished by the sprinkling of blood, as in the next Chapter.

jewels of silver] Chap. 3. 22. & Chap. 12. 35.

Exodus 11:3

favour] Psalms 106:46. Exodus 12:36. Acts 2:47. Exodus 3:21.

very great] 2 Samuel 7:9. Esther 9:4. That is, much honored, much feared, in regard of the manifold miracles wrought by his ministery, both in bringing punishments upon, and withdrawing punishments from the people of Egypt: whereby he might be the more like to obtaine jewels, or whatsoever else he should aske of the Egyptians for himselfe or the people.

Exodus 11:4

about midnight] To wit of the night, which followed the fourteenth day of the moneth Nisan, in the morning of that fourteenth day, Moses gave out the commination of the first born, before he finally departed from the presence of Pharaoh, 5: 8. at the evening of that fourteenth day the Passeover was first celebrated, and the night after that evening, was the staughter of the first born.

Exodus 11:5

from the first born] Exodus 4:23. & Exodus 12:29.

that is behind the mill] Judges 16:21. Esa. 47. 2. Matthew 24:41. Heb. behind two mills, or after two milstones. The meanest servants (many times) were put to grind at the mill: wherefore mils were often in prison houses, where prisoners and captives were kept in worke, to turne the mill, which was sometimes so made, that they that wrought were placed on the backe part thereof, betwixt the mill it self and the wall of the roome, wherein it was placed: so they were behind the mill, and sometimes they drave it before them, thrusting and turning it about with the maine strength of their bodies, which though it went round, yet still they came behind it, since they forced it about, by driving it before them, rather then by drawing it after them.

Exodus 11:6

great cry] Chap. 12. 30.

Exodus 11:7

a dog move his tongue] Joshua 10:21. Job 5:23. Hosea 2. 18. A proverbiall speech, signifying that their condition shall be very quiet, without any disturbance of man or beast: whereas the Egyptians were in tumults, and made out-cryes for their losses of their first born.

Exodus 11:8

shall come down] Moses had hitherto been a suiter at Pharaohs Court for the freedome of the Hebrews, but after a while the condition of the King and kingdome shall be so farre changed, that Pharaoh shall (by his servants) sollicite them to be gone, Chap. 11. 5: 1. and the Egyptians shall be faine to buy their libertie, with great liberalitie giving them their most precious things at their departure.

in great anger] Though Moses were a man of a very meeke and patient spirit, (Numbers 12:3.) yet in the cause of God, seeing Pharaoh so rebellious against him, so outragious against his people, so false in his promises to both, his zeale raised his indignation to a great height of derestation of him, and his doing. So also Exodus 32:19. Numbers 16:15. Thus may we be angry without sinne, and (in such a cause) we cannot without sinne forbeare anger.

Exodus 11:9

that my wonders] God hardeneth the hearts of the that his glory thereby might be the more set forth, Romans 9:17.

Exodus 11:10

not let] No words, though after so many wonderfull deeds, would worke upon this stubborn tyrant, to let Gods people goe: God permitting him to the course of his corrupt nature, and the misguidance of the devill, and knowing out of the evill of both, to set forth his own glory, in bringing forth his people with a mightie hand.