The Final Plague Foretold in Exodus 11

In Exodus 11, the LORD foretold the death of the firstborn as the final plague. He also declared that afterward, Pharaoh would send the Israelites out of Egypt. The LORD further made it clear that He would distinguish between Egypt and Israel. Exodus 11 records the moment when God revealed these events to Moses before they took place.

One More Plague Remained

Moses and Aaron had performed many signs before Pharaoh, yet Pharaoh still refused to let the Israelites go. Exodus 11 begins amid his continued refusal.

The LORD told Moses that He would bring one more plague upon Pharaoh and Egypt. Afterward, Pharaoh would not merely let the Israelites leave—he would drive them out completely. Pharaoh’s persistent refusal would not be the final outcome.

The LORD also instructed the Israelites, both men and women, to ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold. The passage goes on to say that the LORD caused the Egyptians to look favorably upon His people. Moses himself was also highly regarded by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people of Egypt.

The Plague Moses Announced to Pharaoh

Moses told Pharaoh that the LORD would pass through Egypt at midnight. At that time, every firstborn in Egypt would die—from the firstborn son of Pharaoh to the firstborn son of the female servant at the hand mill. The firstborn of all the livestock would also die.

A great cry of anguish would rise throughout Egypt, unlike anything heard before or ever to be heard again. Exodus 11 identifies precisely who would be affected by the plague. Its reach would extend from the household of the nation’s highest ruler to the lowest servant.

This passage does not treat the plague lightly. It plainly declares that death and great sorrow were coming. Although the plague itself had not yet occurred, the warning Moses delivered to Pharaoh was unmistakable.

Israel Would Be Set Apart from Egypt

While a great cry filled Egypt, not even a dog would bark at any of the Israelites or their animals. The LORD said that through this, they would know that He makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.

The final plague foretold in this passage, therefore, was not only about the death that would sweep across Egypt. It also revealed that the Israelites would be set apart at the same time. Both the plague and this distinction were part of the warning Moses delivered to Pharaoh.

Moses declared that all Pharaoh’s officials would come down to him, bow before him, and tell him to leave with all the people who followed him. Only then, Moses said, would he depart. After delivering this message, he left Pharaoh in fierce anger.

Pharaoh’s Refusal Did Not Change What God Had Foretold

The LORD had already told Moses that Pharaoh would not listen to him. As a result, the LORD would multiply His wonders in the land of Egypt. Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, but Pharaoh still refused to let the Israelites go.

Exodus 11 does not yet record the Israelites’ actual departure from Egypt. Instead, it announces beforehand that Pharaoh would send them away after the final plague. In this chapter, readers encounter the warning of the coming plague, the distinction made for Israel, and Pharaoh’s continued refusal.

Today, read all of Exodus 11 and write down in one sentence the three things the LORD foretold. Be sure to include the death of the firstborn, the distinction between Israel and Egypt, and Pharaoh’s eventual decision to let the people go.

Biblical References

• Exodus 11:1–3
• Exodus 11:4–8
• Exodus 11:9–10