The Ten Plagues

Illustration of The Ten Plagues
Era
Exodus & Conquest
Date
c. 1446 BC โ‰ˆ Approximate
Reference
Exodus 7:14-25
Ten plagues. Each one targeted an Egyptian god. Each one demonstrated who truly held power.

The Ten Plagues occurred during the Israelites' enslavement in Egypt. God commissioned Moses to demand their release from Pharaoh, who repeatedly refused despite warnings. In response, God unleashed a series of ten escalating plagues, turning the Nile to blood, sending frogs, gnats, and flies, killing livestock, causing boils, hail, locusts, and darkness, and culminating in the death of Egypt's firstborn sons, while sparing the Israelites in the land of Goshen. These events demonstrated God's supreme power over Egypt's deities and forced Pharaoh to free the Hebrew people, leading directly to the Exodus and the institution of the Passover. In Scripture, the plagues underscore themes of divine judgment, redemption, and covenant faithfulness, serving as a foundational narrative for both Jewish and Christian traditions of God's deliverance.

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Did You Know?

1

God commissioned Moses to demand their release from Pharaoh, who repeatedly refused despite warnings.

2

These events demonstrated God's supreme power over Egypt's deities and forced Pharaoh to free the Hebrew people, leading directly to the Exodus and the institution of the Passover.

3

This event is dated to approximately c. 1446 BC in biblical chronology.

4

Key figures involved: Moses, Aaron, Pharaoh Of Exodus.

5

This took place at or near Egypt.

Key Passage

The Ten Plagues

Exodus 7:14-25

A14nd the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaohโ€™s heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.

15 Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the riverโ€™s brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand. 16 And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear. 17 Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. 18 And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river. 19 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone. 20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. 21 And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. 22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaohโ€™s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said. 23 And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also. 24 And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river. 25 And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river.

Read full chapter: Exodus 7 โ†’

Meanwhile in the World

Egypt is at the height of its New Kingdom power under pharaohs like Thutmose III and Ramesses II. The Hittite Empire controls Anatolia. The Late Bronze Age collapse is approaching. Troy exists as a real city. This is the time of the Amarna letters and international diplomacy.

When: c. 1446 - 1375 BC

Key Civilizations: New Kingdom Egypt, Hittite Empire

Biblical Parallels: Exodus 1-40 , Joshua 1-24

Explore Related

Characters 3

Moses Moses was a prophet chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt during the Exodus. Throughโ€ฆ Aaron Aaron, the brother of Moses, played a pivotal role in the Exodus narrative as Moses' spokesman beforeโ€ฆ Pharaoh (of the Exodus) The Pharaoh of the Exodus ruled Egypt during the period of Israelite enslavement and repeatedly refusedโ€ฆ

Places 1

Egypt Egypt served as the place of bondage for the Israelites, who were enslaved by a Pharaoh who feared theirโ€ฆ

Miracles 1

The Ten Plagues of Egypt Ten devastating blows against Egypt, each one targeting a specific Egyptian god. Blood, frogs, gnats,โ€ฆ