Exodus 11:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’

NIV: But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.’ Then you will know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.

NASB: But not even a dog will threaten any of the sons of Israel, nor anything from person to animal, so that you may learn how the Lord distinguishes between Egypt and Israel.’

CSB: But against all the Israelites, whether people or animals, not even a dog will snarl, so that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.

NLT: But among the Israelites it will be so peaceful that not even a dog will bark. Then you will know that the Lord makes a distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the Lord does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.’

God is delivering a dire message through Moses: that the Lord will kill all the firstborn of Egypt (Exodus 11:4–6). This is a response to Egypt's cruel enslavement of Israel (Exodus 1:11–14) and refusal to set them free (Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:35; 10:9–10). It is the tenth in a series of "plagues" (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23) meant to demonstrate God's power and love for Israel (Exodus 3:20; 10:1–2). When the catastrophe strikes, it will affect every animal, servant, and royal family in the nation. But it will not harm the people of Israel.

The expression about dogs growling means the Hebrews will not experience even a hint of a threat. The Lord will give His people a sign which will keep them safe (Exodus 12:13, 23). Many of the plagues proved that Egypt's false deities had no power: the God of the Hebrews (Exodus 5:3) controlled everything they were believed to own. To emphasize this, God drew a clear distinction between the Israelites and the Egyptians when sending His signs (Exodus 8:22; 9:6, 26; 10:23).

Exodus 11:4–10 records Moses' declaration of the final plague. He is still in the presence of Pharaoh, who has just threated Moses with death after the ninth plague (Exodus 10:28–29). In the night, God will kill every firstborn in Egypt—including those of cattle, slaves, and even the royal family itself. The Israelites will be spared, and Egypt will beg for the Israelites to leave. Moses then leaves, furious at Pharaoh. God reminds Moses that Pharaoh was never going to submit; these events happened to proclaim God's power to the world.

Immediately after being threatened by Pharaoh (Exodus 10:28–29), Moses is given more instructions from the Lord. He is to instruct the Israelites to ask Egyptians for jewelry. Recent events will have intimidated them enough to be generous. God also tells Moses to predict the last and worst plague: the death off all Egyptian firstborn. This will be the most terrible disaster of Egypt's entire history. It will also lead directly to Israelite freedom. Moses expresses this grim promise in furious anger but is reassured by God that this is all part of an expected plan.

Since the Lord sent Moses back into Egypt (Exodus 3—4), Pharoah has refused multiple commands to release the Hebrew slaves. This has brought nine epic disasters to his nation (Exodus 5—10). Most recently, Pharaoh has threatened to kill Moses if these discussions continue (Exodus 10:28–29). Moses hears instructions from the Lord which include a prediction about the last, and worst, of the plagues of Egypt. In the following chapter, God will establish the Passover and free the Israelites as Egypt mourns catastrophic losses (Exodus 12).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.