Exodus 7:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts.

NIV: Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts:

NASB: Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers, and they too, the soothsayer priests of Egypt, did the same with their secret arts.

CSB: But then Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers—the magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same thing by their occult practices.

NLT: Then Pharaoh called in his own wise men and sorcerers, and these Egyptian magicians did the same thing with their magic.

KJV: Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

NKJV: But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

Moses and Aaron have obeyed God's command (Exodus 7:8–10) to perform a miraculous sign (Exodus 4:2–4) in front of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Rather than accept this, Pharaoh calls on his team of enchanters to duplicate the feat. These men are described using various terms, all relating to illegitimate spiritual practices. "Sorcerers" are labeled with a Hebrew term implying contact with spirits. "Magicians" are tied to divination and necromancy: contacting the spirit world for information. These are all "wise men," a generic term for those with some specialized knowledge.

Interpreters debate exactly what happens in this verse. There is no question that Aaron's staff truly and supernaturally transformed, by the power of God. What's less clear is whether Pharaoh's men accomplished a real transformation, or merely the illusion of it. Similar questions arise about the early plagues (Exodus 7:22; 8:7). The Hebrew text says they did "the same," using the root word kēn. This can mean anything from "so," or "after," to "similarly" or "therefore."

Commentators question whether demonic spirits are given enough power to accomplish these signs. Snake-charming was a known practice (Psalm 58:4–5; Ecclesiastes 10:11; Jeremiah 8:17); perhaps a paralyzed snake was held up as a supposed stick, then dropped to move again. The magicians may have used sleight-of-hand tricks to replace a wooden pole with a live serpent.

Debate over the exact nature of the magician's work doesn't change the outcome. Whatever they did was enough to convince Pharaoh to ignore Moses and Aaron's demands. Nor would it change the dramatic sign included in this event: that Aaron's staff swallowed the staves of the magicians (Exodus 7:12). That should have overcome any thought that the two sides were equal.

Jewish tradition suggests the magicians recorded here were named Jannes and Jambres (2 Timothy 3:8).

Exodus 7:8–13 depicts a faceoff between Moses and Aaron, against Pharoah and his Egyptian magicians. As instructed (Exodus 4:2–5), Aaron drops his staff, which becomes a snake. Pharaoh's sorcerers manage to duplicate this, but Aaron's snake devours theirs. So, the Egyptian king remains stubborn and will not listen to pleas for Israel's release. This triggers the first of the ten great plagues against Egypt (Exodus 7:17–18).

God again repeats (Exodus 3:19–20; 4:19–23; 6:6) the basic outline of how Israel will be freed from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 1:11–14). He then commands Moses and Aaron to show Pharaoh one of the miraculous signs given for that purpose (Exodus 4:2–5). Egyptian magicians seem to duplicate the feat, so Pharaoh still refuses to hear Mo-ses' message. This results in the first plague: all water in Egypt, including the Nile river, becomes blood. This lasts seven days. The Lord then tells Moses to repeat the demand for Israel's release.

God commissioned Moses (Exodus 3:10) and commanded him to confront Egypt's ruler, the pharaoh (Exodus 4:19–23). When Moses obeyed (Exodus 5:1–3), the immediate result was even worse oppression for Israel (Exodus 5:19–21). This inspired Moses to doubt (Exodus 5:22–23). The Lord responded with reassurances (Exodus 6:1–8). Chapter 7 completes this declaration and begins the cycle of plagues (Exodus 3:19–20), starting with turning the Nile river into blood. These catastrophes will continue (Exodus 8—11) until Pharaoh finally releases the Israelites (Exodus 12:41).

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.