e-mail: shlomo@shlomosdrash.com
For those studying the Plagues,here is a chart of the Plagues and other Miracles that happened in Egypt as found in Exodus chronicling the roles of Moses, Aaron, Pharaoh, the Israelites and the Egyptian Magicians.
| Plague | Action before | Effect Israelites | Egyptian Magicians repeat | Pharaoh’s action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serpents from staff [7:8-13] | Cast Aaron’s staff down. | none | Yes, but Aaron’s swallows theirs | Does not heed Moses |
| 1.Nile and other water sources turns to blood, with a bad odor [7:14-24] | Moses strikes Nile with his staff, Aaron holds his arm with his staff over other water sources | Not mentioned | Repeated. | Does not heed Moses |
| 2.Frogs come up from the Nile and cover everything. [8:1-11] | Aaron holds his arm with his staff over the nile and other water sources | Not mentioned | Repeated. | Asks for the frogs to be removed. Once relief came, he reneged |
| 3.Lice [8:12-15] | Aaron strikes his staff on the dust of the earth | Not mentioned | Attempted but not Repeated. Counsel Pharaoh “This is the finger of God!” | Does not heed them. |
| 4. Swarming insects/ wild beasts [8:16-28] | Moses prophesizes | Spares Goshen | No mention | Grants them to sacrifice in Egypt, but Moses points out Egyptians would be offended. Tells then not to go far, then reneges. |
| 5. Pestilence- the livestock become diseased and die [9:1-7] | Moses prophesizes | Spares Israelite livestock | No mention | Remains stubborn |
| 6.Boils and inflammation [9:8-12] | Moses throws kiln soot into the air | No mention | Call in sick – afflicted too | Does not heed Moses |
| 7.Hail, fire and thunder [9:13-35] | Moses holds out arm (with staff) to the sky | Spares Goshen | No mention | Grants them leave, then reneges. |
| 8.Locusts [10:1-20] | Moses holds out arm (with staff) over land of Egypt | Not mentioned | No mention | Grants them leave, then reneges. |
| 9. Darkness [10:21-29] | Moses holds out his arm toward the sky | Spares Israelites | No mention | Grants them leave on condition that the flocks and herds remain; when Moses refuses his offer threatens to kill Moses. |
| 10.Death of the first born [11:1-12:32] | Teach Passover seder; blood on doors | Passover, Blood on doors; they leave Egypt. | No mention | Pharaoh’s son dies and Pharaoh finally relents. |
| Parting of Reed Sea [14:1-30] | Moses tells Israelites to advance. Holds out his arm(staff) | Walks to safety | No mention | Pharaoh’s armies die, and probably Pharaoh too. |