Exodus 7:11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

Exodus 7:11 Then Pharaoh also called for [the] wise men and [the] sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same with their secret arts.

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.

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Exodus 7 Images and Notes

Brief Summary: Moses is appointed to give the Word of the LORD to Pharaoh, The LORD will multiply His signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Aaron's rod becomes a serpent, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, The river is turned into blood, The magicians of Egypt imitate the miracles of Moses and Aaron.

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)

Photo of the Sinai Wilderness

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 Exodus of the Hebrews

Mount Horeb

The Red Sea

The Old Testament

Exodus Resources

Moses and the Exodus
The Giving of the Law
The Tabernacle
The Wilderness Wanderings