The Ten Plagues of Egypt
The 10 Plagues of Egypt from the Book of Exodus is one of the most well known events from the Bible. Some people are familiar with the details of the plagues themselves, but not everyone understands their full impact on Egypt. The plagues not only decimated Egypt both physically and economically, but more importantly they decimated them spiritually. All the plagues targeted a specific one or combination of the Egyptian Gods or Goddesses.
The Bibles time line would place the plagues at about the 15th century B.C.
It is difficult to pinpoint exact time since the Bible does not give the specific name of the Pharaoh.
It took about 1 year for all the plagues to unfold. We learn this by studying the seasons of planting and harvesting crops in Egypt, Moses age when he first spoke to Pharaoh(Exodus 7:7)
Skeptics and Scientists have tried to explain these events as natural events that could have unfolded in Egypt. They cannot explain how Moses was able to give advanced warning to Egypt before some of them happened or how some affected only Egypt and not Israel.
Historians also point to there being no historical records of the plagues. If you were in charge of all the scribes in Egypt, would you want a record of your biggest defeat at the hands of a God you didn’t even believe in?
Why did God send the plagues?
The Bible says that the plagues were brought upon Egypt so that the Pharaoh would know “The Hebrew God”.
Exodus 7:3-5
3 But I will cause Pharaoh to be stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 Even then Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you. So I will crush Egypt with a series of disasters, after which I will lead the forces of Israel out with great acts of judgment. 5 When I show the Egyptians my power and force them to let the Israelites go, they will realize that I am the Lord
God wanted to prove to Egypt who he was firsthand. He wanted to display his power so they would know him.
“Know” is the root word of “knowledge”
Proverbs 1:7
7 Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline
Fear- filial (pertaining to becoming a son or daughter) regard mingled with awe; reverence
In essence, God wanted Egypt to come to know him as “The Father” just as he wants all of us to become sons and daughters of his. Just as a child looks at a parent with awe, God wanted Egypt and Israel to realize who he was.
Why 10 Plagues?
“10” in The Bible represents completion
Why didn’t God simply destroy Egypt to show his power?
Because of his mercy.
Lets now look at the 10 Plagues and who/what they affected.
There is a distinct progression in the plagues with the long term effect it would have on the land.
Some areas of Egypt had different names for the same God. Some Gods were responsible to more than 1 area of life. If you were to research these names you may find alternative names or more names of Gods that the plagues could have targeted.
Plague #1-Waters Become Blood Exodus 7:14-24
Pharaoh was warned in advance of this plague.
This plague targeted the Egyptian God Hapi who was the “God of The Nile” and was also know as the “Spirit of The Nile”. The Goddess Anqet who was a water goddess. The God Khnemu who was a water god and one of Egypts oldest known Gods.
All the waters(the river and stores of water) were affected
Pharaohs priests were able to duplicate this (the Bible does not say how except “secret arts”) but they were unable to reverse it.
This plague affected both Egypt and Israel.
Plague #2-Frogs Exodus 8:1-15
Pharaoh was warned in advance of this plague.
This targeted the god Heqt. She was a frog headed goddess and represented resurrection
Pharaohs priests were able to duplicate this but were unable to reverse it.
Pharaoh told Moses to have God take away the frogs and he would let the Israelites go.
Moses told Pharaoh to set the time for them to be gone. God took away the frogs at the appointed time(the next day) but Pharaoh changed his mind.
This plague affected both Egypt and Israel.
Plague #3-Lice or Gnats Exodus 8:16-19
This targeted the god Kheper who was the God of beetles and flies
Pharaoh’s priests tried but could not duplicate this. They told Pharaoh that this was “the finger of God”
This plague affected both Egypt and Israel.
The Israelites were probably growing angry at Moses at this time because they were suffering also.
Plague #4-Flies Exodus 8:20-32
This again targeted the god Kheper who was the God of beetles and flies
Pharaoh was warned in advance of this plague. This time, God did not allow Israel to be affected(verse 22). Pharaoh’s priest didn’t even try to duplicate this. Pharaoh told Moses he would let the Israelites go if Moses could get God to take away the flies. Moses did this but Pharaoh changed his mind.
Plague #5-Death of Livestock Exodus 9:1-7
This targeted the God Apis(Greek name) or Hap. This was a sacred bull to the Egyptians. When Apis was well it was considered the livestock was well. This plague affected horses, donkeys, camels, cattle and sheep. Not just cattle as usally thought. All these animals were essential to the lives of Egypt. Cattle especially were seen as a symbol of wealth. None of the Hebrew livestock were harmed. Pharaoh even sent men to investigate if the Hebrew livestock was harmed. Pharaoh’s priests could not duplicate this.
Plague #6-Boils Exodus 9:8-12
This targeted the gods Imhotep who was the physician God. He was also worshiped by the Romans and Greeks as the God of medicine. The priests could not even heal themselves. According to the Bible, this affected only the Egyptians and animals.
Plague #7-Hail Exodus 9:13-34
This targeted the Goddess Nut who was Goddess of the Sky. This affected every plant, tree, and living thing in Egypt. The Hebrews were not harmed. Even some of Pharoah’s officials heeded the warning and brought in thiere livestock. This would have wiped out most of Egypts crops. In verse 27 Pharoah admits that he has sinned against God. He asks Moses to have God stop the hail and he will let the Hebrews go. He again changed his mind.
Plague #8-Locust Exodus 10:1-20
This targeted the God Seth, who was God of Crops. Pharoah’s priests begged him to let the Hebrews go. The locust would have eaten whatever crops or vegatation was left. Pharaoh again admitted he was wrong, agreed to let the Hebrews go, and changed his mind after the locust left. Locust are devastating to any agriculture society. If you are a farmer, the worst thing you can see is locust invading your fields.
Plague #9-Darkness Exodus 10:21-29
This targeted many gods. Ra the most powerful of the sun gods. Horus who was another sun god. Khepera-rising sun god( meant “comes into being”), Atum-setting sun god(“complete one”). The sun was a vital part of everyday life in Egypt.
Pharoah wanted to let them go but changed his mind because the Hebrews would have taken their livestock with them. The livestock was needed not only to sustain life but also for worship. Israel had light but Egypt did not.
Plague #10-Firstborn Sons Die Exodus 11:1-12:30
This targeted the god Bes who was the “Protector of Children” also know as “Protector of The Family. It also affected the “Ka” or vital lifeforce of the Egyptians. Both Egypt and Israel were affected by this plague since the Bible mentions both “sons of Pharaoh” and “firstborn of the prisoner” as well as livestock (12:29). This was also a direct attack on Pharaoh himself. Egyptians believed all Pharoahs to be the living incarnation of their God.
Skeptics have tired to explain this plague
Toxic Gas-Released by Nile River after small earthquake
Illustration-South American Village Story
Infected Food Supplies-Would have come from the other plagues affecting food quality(Mold, rotten Grain, Insects) 1st born would eat first as well as dominate animals.
If these theories were true why would not more that just the 1st born have died?
The only conclusion can be that is was the work of God.
The Passover was born on the night the Angel of Death came (Exodus 12)
God told the Hebrews to put the blood of a lamb on their doors so the angel would passover. The blood of a lamb would protect them from death.
Jesus is the Passover Lamb. We are protected from death if we are covered by his blood.
1 Corinthians 5:7
7 Remove this wicked person from among you so that you can stay pure. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.
Some of the plagues that fell on Egypt will fall on the earth again in the end times when the angels pour out the vials of wrath.
Plague #6 The Boils/1st Vial of Wrath
Revelation 16:2
2 So the first angel left the Temple and poured out his bowl over the earth, and horrible, malignant sores broke out on everyone who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue.
Plague #1 Waters to Blood/3rd Vial of Wrath
Revelation 16:4
4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs, and they became blood.
Plague #9 Darkness/5th Vial of Wrath
Revelation 16:10
10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. And his subjects ground their teeth in anguish,
Plague #7 Hailstorm/7th Vial of Wrath
Revelation 16:21
21 There was a terrible hailstorm, and hailstones weighing seventy-five pounds fell from the sky onto the people below. They cursed God because of the hailstorm, which was a very terrible plague.
The only way to escape witnessing the plagues then is to be covered by the blood of Jesus now and forever.
