Exodus 7:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron 's staff swallowed up their staffs.

NIV: Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.

NASB: For each one threw down his staff, and they turned into serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed their staffs.

CSB: Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed their staffs.

NLT: They threw down their staffs, which also became serpents! But then Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.

KJV: For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

NKJV: For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.

Scripture does not specify how many Egyptian magicians were involved in this event (Exodus 7:10–11). Tradition associates the names Jannes and Jambres with Pharaoh's sorcerers (2 Timothy 3:8). Either by supernatural power granted by evil spirits, or through trickery, they have produced snakes from their own staves. This is enough to convince Pharaoh to ignore demands coming from Moses and Aaron. However, the serpent formed from Aaron's staff swallows the snakes made from the Egyptians' staves. Even if Pharaoh thought his sorcerers had real power, this should have been seen as a sign of God's supremacy.

Snakes are usually associated with evil or judgment (Genesis 3:1; 49:17; Revelation 12:9). In this context, the importance is in the Egyptian understanding of these images. Serpents were also among the religious symbols of ancient Egypt. Pharaohs wore images of cobras on their heads as symbols of their authority to rule. When the snakes of Egypt are swallowed, it shows that the power being demonstrated by the Lord will overwhelm and undo Pharaoh's power to rule over Israel (Exodus 3:19–20; 12:41).

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.