Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament · Exodus Kapitel 11

Proclamation of the Tenth Plague; or the Decisive Blow. - Exodus 11:1-3. The announcement made by Jehovah to Moses, which is recorded here, occurred before the last interview between Moses and Pharaoh (Exodus 10:24-29); but it is introduced by the historian in this place, as serving to explain the confidence with which Moses answered Pharaoh (Exodus 10:29). This is evident from Exodus 11:4-8, where Moses is said to have foretold to the king, before leaving his presence, the last plague and all its consequences. ויּאמר therefore, in Exodus 11:1, is to be taken in a pluperfect sense: “ had said; ” and may be grammatically accounted for from the old Semitic style of historical writing referred to in the commentary on Genesis 2:18-22, as Genesis 2:1 and Genesis 2:2 contain the foundation for the announcement in Genesis 2:4-8. So far as the facts are concerned, Genesis 2:1-3 point back to Exodus 3:19-22. One stroke more ( נגע ) would Jehovah bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt, and then the king would let the Israelites go, or rather drive them out. כּלה כּשׁלּחו , “ when he lets you go altogether ( כּלה adverbial as in Genesis 18:21), he will even drive you away.”

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