Exodus 11:7 kjv
But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
Exodus 11:7 nkjv
But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the LORD does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.'
Exodus 11:7 niv
But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.' Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.
Exodus 11:7 esv
But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, that you may know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.'
Exodus 11:7 nlt
But among the Israelites it will be so peaceful that not even a dog will bark. Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites.
Exodus 11 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:2-3 | I will make of thee a great nation...and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. | God's distinction begins with Abraham's call. |
| Exo 8:22 | And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen... | Earlier plague, God shows distinction. |
| Exo 9:4 | And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt... | Earlier plague, God separates livestock. |
| Exo 12:13 | And when I see the blood, I will pass over you... | Protection during the final plague. |
| Deu 4:34 | ...hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation...? | God actively chose and separated Israel. |
| Deul 7:6 | For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee... | God's chosen people set apart. |
| Psa 4:3 | But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself... | God sets apart His faithful. |
| Psa 34:7 | The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. | Divine protection for God's people. |
| Psa 91:1-7 | He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow... | Assurance of God's complete protection. |
| Psa 105:37 | He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person... | Israel's strong departure from Egypt. |
| Pro 16:7 | When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace... | God controls even external factors for His people. |
| Isa 43:1-3 | Fear not: for I have redeemed thee...when thou walkest through the fire... | God's steadfast redemption and preservation. |
| Jer 30:10 | Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD... | God's reassurance of protection and deliverance. |
| Mal 3:18 | Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked... | Future divine distinction is certain. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God... | God's working all things for the good of His own. |
| Rom 9:15-16 | For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy... | God's sovereign choice and mercy. |
| 1 Cor 10:13 | God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able... | God provides a way of escape during trials. |
| 2 Thes 2:13 | God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit... | God's sovereign election for salvation. |
| Heb 13:5-6 | ...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper... | God's unwavering presence and aid. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people... | Believers are God's set-apart people. |
Exodus 11 verses
Exodus 11 7 Meaning
Exodus 11:7 declares God's deliberate and precise protection over the Israelites amidst the coming devastation in Egypt. It emphasizes that while the Egyptians will experience great distress and death, the Israelites, including their animals, will remain entirely unharmed, to the extent that not even a dog will bark or move its tongue against them. This divine distinction is revealed so that all may know that the LORD sovereignly differentiates between His people and the Egyptians.
Exodus 11 7 Context
Exodus chapter 11 precedes the tenth and final plague: the death of the firstborn in Egypt. Moses has just pronounced this devastating judgment upon Pharaoh and Egypt (Exo 11:4-6). This climactic announcement heightens the tension and sets the stage for Israel's definitive liberation. Verse 7 serves as a stark contrast and an extraordinary promise of divine protection for Israel amidst the impending national catastrophe. It directly follows Moses' bold declaration to Pharaoh and stands as a guarantee of Israel's safety, reassuring the Israelites and making clear the LORD's absolute power and distinction between the two peoples. This verse also serves to build Israel's faith for the impending act of obedience (Passover instructions in chapter 12).
Exodus 11 7 Word analysis
- But against: Implies a sharp contrast (כִּי ki). While judgment falls on Egypt, Israel is explicitly excluded. This serves as a rhetorical device emphasizing divine impartiality towards justice yet distinct partiality in favor of His covenant people.
- any of the children of Israel: Refers to every individual belonging to Israel. This protection is comprehensive, not just for a select few. It includes every household and every member, ensuring a collective sense of security and belonging.
- shall not a dog: Kelebh (כלב). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, dogs were often scavenging, noisy, and viewed as pests or symbols of impurity. Their barks signal disturbance, threat, or chaos.
- move his tongue: Yacharatz leshono (יחרץ לשונו). This vivid idiom means to snap, growl, bark, or even speak defiantly. The phrase denotes total silence and stillness from even the typically boisterous creatures. It signifies an absence of any disturbance, even the slightest, during the horrific events for the Egyptians. This implies absolute peace and divine control over every detail of creation.
- against man or beast: Expands the scope of protection. It signifies complete peace within Israelite camps; neither their people nor their livestock would experience any agitation or fear from a dog's bark, indicating a supernatural calm amidst surrounding chaos.
- that ye may know: Lema’an teyd’un (למען תֵֽדְעוּן). This phrase reveals the explicit purpose of God's actions. The event is designed to be a clear, unmistakable lesson and revelation. Both the Egyptians and the Israelites are to understand God's absolute sovereignty and His specific choice.
- how that the LORD: Yahweh (יהוה), the covenant name of God. Emphasizes that this distinction is solely by divine will and power, not by Israel's merit or strength. It highlights His personal involvement and mighty acts.
- doth put a difference: Yafleh Adonai (יפלה יהוה). This key term means to "distinguish," "separate," "make wonderful," or "perform a special deed." It denotes an active, supernatural separation performed by God. This is not a passive outcome but a deliberate act of divine election and discrimination in His judgment and grace.
- between the Egyptians and Israel: Clearly states the two parties between whom the distinction is made. It delineates the recipients of judgment and the recipients of preservation.
Exodus 11 7 Bonus section
The deliberate divine control over a seemingly minor detail like a dog's bark reinforces the totality of God's sovereignty. If God can silence a dog, He can certainly control the heart of Pharaoh and every other force. This attention to detail speaks to His meticulous care for His people and His precise execution of judgment. It’s a microcosm illustrating His ultimate control over all creation. This demonstration of power and care aimed to build unwavering faith in the Israelites for their impending journey into the wilderness and the challenges ahead. It served as a divine guarantee that no earthly power, nor even nature itself, could breach God's protective wall around His beloved people.
Exodus 11 7 Commentary
Exodus 11:7 is a profound declaration of God's meticulous care and sovereignty amidst severe judgment. Coming right before the tenth plague, it offers extraordinary assurance of safety to Israel. The silence of the dogs, mundane yet deeply significant in an ancient context, highlights a supernatural level of divine protection. Dogs were ubiquitous and vocal; their absolute silence implies a total and undisturbed peace for Israel, contrasting sharply with the loud wailing and chaos soon to erupt in Egypt (Exo 12:30).
This verse underscores a foundational biblical truth: God sovereignly distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked, between His chosen people and those who defy Him. This divine distinction is not based on human merit but on God's covenant faithfulness and His election. It serves as an ultimate theological purpose ("that ye may know")—to reveal God's absolute power to deliver His own, confirming His identity as the unique LORD (Yahweh) who orchestrates history with precision and purpose. It prefigures how God distinguishes His redeemed in all ages from those under judgment. The calm in Goshen highlights the peace believers have in God's provision even when chaos surrounds them.