11. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers, &c.--His object in calling them was to ascertain whether this doing of Aaron's was really a work of divine power or merely a feat of magical art. The magicians of Egypt in modern times have been long celebrated adepts in charming serpents, and particularly by pressing the nape of the neck, they throw them into a kind of catalepsy, which renders them stiff and immovable--thus seeming to change them into a rod. They conceal the serpent about their persons, and by acts of legerdemain produce it from their dress, stiff and straight as a rod. Just the same trick was played off by their ancient predecessors, the most renowned of whom, Jannes and Jambres (2Ti 3:8), were called in on this occasion. They had time after the summons to make suitable preparations--and so it appears they succeeded by their "enchantments" in practising an illusion on the senses.
JFB.
Outline
1 Moses is encouraged to go to Pharaoh
7 The age of Moses is 80 and Aaron 83
10 His rod Is turned Into a serpent
11 The sorcerers do the same
13 Pharaoh's heart is hardened
14 God's message to Pharaoh
19 The river is turned into blood
Ancient Customs
prophet
rod
magicians
wise men
sorcerers
Pharaoh by the river's brink
blood
Pharaoh's house
IRRIGATION.
RECEPTACLES FOR NILE WATER
REVERENCE FOR RIVERS ABHORRENCE OF BLOOD
NILE WATER
Quick Reference Map
Map of the Nile River and Egypt
(Click to Enlarge)
Ancient Topics
I will harden Pharaoh's heart
Ancient People
God, Moses, Pharaoh
Egyptians
children of Israel
Hebrews
Geography
Egypt
the land of Canaan
Quick Reference Maps
The Old Testament
Exodus Resources
Moses
and the Exodus
The Giving of the Law
The
Tabernacle
The Wilderness Wanderings