Exodus 9:11 – And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. (KJV)
Exodus 9:11 is part of what God did to set His people free from bondage by bring them out from Egypt. This narrative is about the plague of boils verses 8 – 12. We will start with 9:11 and then look at the rest of this plague.
This is not the first time the magicians have been part of trying to keep Israel in Egypt, but it is the last time we hear about them. They played a role with the rod that became a snake, the water being blood, the frogs, and the gnats. In 8:19 they finally admit that “the finger of God” had done this. I want to think that was an admission of how great God is, but I am not sure of that. They could be part of the “officials” that were there to advise Pharoah. Their inability to “stand” before Moses is a serious blow to the aura of Egypt’s power and their beliefs. Anyway, they are not heard from again, I wonder if they recovered from their boils. This is on par with their later counterparts in Babylon not being able to supply what Daniel could give.
Strong’s Hebrew: 2748. חַרְטֹם (chartom) — an engraver, writer (biblehub.com)
Stood – These words for Moses before Pharoah and the magicians come from the same root but are different forms of the word. Strong’s Hebrew: 5975. עָמַד (amad) — to take one’s stand, stand (biblehub.com) Moses’ word means to stand and the magicians’ word implies not able to stand, it is the first time it is used in the Hebrew text. You can imply several aspects of the word but do your homework first. I just find it amazing that Moses was allowed to be standing and not made to kneel in the presence of this self-proclaimed god.
Boils – Strong’s Hebrew: 7822. שְׁחִין (shechin) — a boil, eruption (biblehub.com) The King James will have the word blains in this verse, look it up. This affliction was on man and beast, this is a first. Yes, the flies and gnats bothered both and may have left bites. The goddess Isis is the deity that the Lord is embarrassing here, she was over medicine and peace. This is a great pdf for the plagues. 10_Eqyptian_gods_10_Plagues.pdf (rice.edu) 2 Timothy 3 gives a name to these priests – Jannes and Jambres. Historical fact or legend, I do not know but that is what they have been called. Please note that only two names are listed.
The Egyptian people and the magicians or “soothsaying” priest took the brunt on this. Boils are not nice, so this must have been an attention getter. The text uses several words that our modern thinking may run together. Exodus 5:3 and 9:15 is deber, it is also used in 2 Samuel 24:15, when David counted the men. Strong’s Hebrew: 1698. דָּ֫בֶר (deber) — pestilence (biblehub.com)
Moses and Aaron
9:8-12 is about the boils, but it has several special things associated with it. The Lord addressing Moses and Aaron is also with the snake story (7:8, the first sign) and with the Passover (12:1, the last thing). The other ones are addressed just to Moses. I believe this shows plague #6 (number of man) that personally affects the Egyptians is significant. Why stress that both are present and told? Aaron was needed as the second witness to confirm the matter (he also was “speaking” for Moses). Two witnesses are seen again in Revelations 11:6.
“The Lord said” or its variations are used many times in the Bible, it is a very common statement/thought. I think we tend to overlook the importance of it. Strong’s Hebrew: 559. אָמַר (amar) — to utter, say (biblehub.com) (This is just one word for this statement or speaking.) Once upon a time I had started that study, I lost the notes, but it is more complex than you may think.
How were they spoken to? An audible voice? Dreams or visions? Was a priest or elder in the Israelite community giving voice to the Holy Spirit? I know Moses was special, however, do not let modern paradigms limit your supernatural God. I am thankful that the Father gave us His written Word to help direct us, but Moses and the Prophets did not have that luxury. They had some of it, but they were writing it for us.
Soot
The carbon/mineral residue from burning fuel. Moses and Aaron took this black or gray powder from a kiln or furnace that may have been used by God’s Children. The NIV has “handfuls” of this carried before Pharoah and thrown into the air. This is one of the special things about Plague #6, so we will look at soot. Strong’s Hebrew: 6368. פִּ֫יחַ (piach) — soot (biblehub.com)
When this dust multiplied and settled all over Egypt, it metaphorically turned the country into a furnace. This is reflected in Deuteronomy 4:20, 1 Kings 8:51, and Jeremiah 11:4. In these verses Egypt is referred to as an “iron furnace” that held the Family. I will give you some links; thoughts and “facts” that can run all over the place.
- Strong’s Hebrew: 1270. בַּרְזֶל (barzel) — iron (biblehub.com)
- Hebrew Concordance: mik·kūr — 2 Occurrences (biblehub.com) Furnace
- Strong’s Hebrew: 3536. כִּבְשָׁן (kibshan) — a kiln (biblehub.com) 4 x, this is worth a look at the other times it is used.
Use a text analysis tool and study the other words like scattered, and abroad. The connections here are interesting.
Moses took a product of the slavery and just threw it into the air with his hand. No staff, proclamations, striking the ground, or warnings, just boils taking out the magicians and covering the people.
Moses did something to announce the plagues. That almond tree limb was present with every sign and wonder that Moses did.
- Staff-blood
- Staff-frogs
- Staff-gnats struck the dust
- Spoke-flies
- Spoke-animals die
- Moses threw soot in the air nothing was said to Pharoah-boils
- Stretch out your hand-hail
- Stretch out your hand-locusts
- Stretch out your hand-darkness
- Warned them about the coming death
I need to revisit my post The Wonders that Plagued Egypt; more study adds to your thoughts.
Contrary to the noise I heard during COVID about Jehovah “causing or letting” that plague occur; I see that He announced the plagues He sent, so there was no mistake. That does include the one that David picked when he counted the fighting men.
Pharoah
The snake that got eaten in Chapter 7. His role was pretty limited from one respect, do what the Lord wants or have your false support system exposed and judged. This politician-god tried to control the narrative by ignoring or haggling with Moses and God. With each haggle he was hardened, and his losses were compounded. It is interesting that his people, more or less, supported him through all of this.
Exodus 911 has moved a few “tent pegs” in my thinking.
Mark's Bible Study 