Exodus 7:11 kjv

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 nkjv

But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

Exodus 7:11 niv

Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts:

Exodus 7:11 esv

Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts.

Exodus 7:11 nlt

Then Pharaoh called in his own wise men and sorcerers, and these Egyptian magicians did the same thing with their magic.

Exodus 7 verses

Exodus 7 11 Meaning

Exodus 7:11 describes Pharaoh's immediate response to Moses' first demonstration of God's power. Instead of heeding the divine message, he summons his own religious and learned personnel—the wise men, sorcerers, and magicians—to counter the sign given by Yahweh. This act signifies the direct confrontation between the power of God and the perceived spiritual power of Egypt, showcasing the pride and spiritual blindness of Pharaoh and his kingdom.

Exodus 7 11 Context

Exodus chapter 7 initiates the direct confrontation between Yahweh, through Moses and Aaron, and Pharaoh, the embodiment of Egyptian power and deity. Up to this point, Moses' attempts to negotiate for Israel's release were met with increased oppression. Now, God commissions Moses for a new phase: demonstrating His absolute sovereignty through mighty signs and judgments. Verse 11 specifically sets the stage for the first of these confrontations—the transformation of Aaron's staff into a serpent. Pharaoh's summoning of his "wise men" immediately after seeing God's sign highlights his disbelief and his reliance on human, and by extension, demonic, power. This historical context illuminates ancient Egypt's deep-rooted belief in magic, omens, and the divine status of their pharaoh and priests. Pharaoh's move is an assertion of his kingdom's spiritual strength against what he perceives as a competing deity, thereby escalating the conflict from a mere political demand to a direct spiritual battle between Yahweh and the gods of Egypt.

Exodus 7 11 Word analysis

• Then Pharaoh (פַּרְעֹה, Par‘ōh): The reigning monarch of Egypt, whose title implies divine kingship and embodiment of Egyptian deities like Horus. His resistance is not just personal but representative of Egypt's entire spiritual and political system.
• also called for (וַיִּקְרָא, Vayyiqrā‘): Implies an immediate, deliberate summons. Pharaoh is not merely reacting but actively mobilizing his kingdom's supposed spiritual defenses.
• the wise men (חֲכָמִים, ḥakhamim): Individuals possessing learned knowledge, skilled in statecraft, prophecy, or interpretation. These would be official court advisors.
• and the sorcerers (וְהַמְכַשְּׁפִים, vehamkhashšěfîm): Those who practiced black magic, enchantments, or used spells. This term often carries negative connotations in biblical texts, denoting illicit occult practices.
• and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did (וַיַּעֲשׂוּ גַּם־הֵמָּה חַרְטֻמֵּי מִצְרַיִם, vayya‘aśu gam-hēmmā’ ḥarṭummê Miṣrayim): This emphasizes a third group or a specialized subset. The ḥarṭummîm were specifically priestly magicians, often associated with interpreting omens and dreams (as seen in Genesis with Joseph), considered to possess powerful magical or sacred knowledge sanctioned by the state religion. Their actions were sanctioned within Egyptian belief system. The inclusion of "Egypt" clarifies their national allegiance.
• in like manner (כֵּן, khen): They attempted to replicate the miraculous sign Aaron performed. This shows their intent to demonstrate parity or superior power.
• with their secret arts (בְּלָהֲטֵיהֶם, bělāhāṭêhem): This crucial term, lāhāṭêhem, refers to their "hidden things," "incantations," or "deceptive techniques." It suggests illusions, cunning tricks, or perhaps actual demonic empowerment, but always implies something other than genuine, uncreated power. The root often implies burning or dazzling, perhaps suggesting visually deceptive maneuvers or powerful magical spells. It underscores that their power is limited and ultimately manipulative, a stark contrast to Yahweh's pure, creative power.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers; and they, the magicians of Egypt...": This collective summoning reveals the layered nature of Egyptian power, from political wisdom to various forms of magic. It signifies a marshaling of every perceived spiritual resource to counter Yahweh's intervention, reflecting the deep integration of magic and religion into Egyptian society and governance. Pharaoh isn't just seeking advice; he's initiating a magical duel.
• "...also did in like manner with their secret arts.": This phrase highlights imitation and deception. Their action is a mimicry, not an origination. The "secret arts" define the nature of their power as rooted in manipulation, hidden knowledge, or possibly minor demonic influence, as opposed to the inherent, unconstrained, and overt power of the true God. This immediate confrontation sets the stage for God's overwhelming victory, showing His power isn't merely greater, but qualitatively different.

Exodus 7 11 Bonus section

The figures described as "magicians of Egypt" in this verse are later specifically named in the New Testament by Paul in 2 Timothy 3:8 as "Jannes and Jambres." This traditional naming, while not found in the Old Testament, demonstrates an established understanding in Jewish and early Christian thought regarding the identity of Pharaoh's chief magical opposition. This tradition reinforces the historical nature of these events and the specific roles played by these individuals in their resistance to Moses, echoing throughout biblical history as prototypes for those who oppose God's truth with deceptive practices. Their initial imitation of Moses' miracle, and subsequent inability to reproduce God's more complex acts, provides a timeless illustration of the difference between genuine divine power and mere human (or even demonic) deception and imitation. This sets up a spiritual principle that echoes through the New Testament: humanly derived power, even if seemingly supernatural, ultimately collapses when confronted by the true, saving power of God.

Exodus 7 11 Commentary

Exodus 7:11 marks a critical turning point in the Exodus narrative, initiating the supernatural conflict between God and Pharaoh's kingdom. Pharaoh, rather than submitting to God's authority demonstrated through Moses, defiantly attempts to replicate the miracle by summoning his most powerful spiritual practitioners. The presence of "wise men," "sorcerers," and "magicians" highlights the deep immersion of Egyptian society in occult practices, where magic was considered a legitimate and integral part of the royal court and religious establishment. They employed their "secret arts," likely referring to spells, illusions, or even genuine demonic abilities, to mimic Aaron's transformation of a staff into a serpent. While initially successful in imitating the miracle, the fact that Aaron's staff-serpent then "swallowed up their rods" (Ex 7:12) immediately demonstrated God's qualitative and quantitative supremacy. This moment establishes the primary polemic of the Exodus narrative: God is demonstrating His power not merely against Pharaoh, but against the gods of Egypt whom these magicians represented and served. Their initial success serves to elevate God's eventual, undeniable victory, showcasing that even limited, deceptive power is ultimately consumed and rendered powerless before the Almighty. This confrontation sets the precedent for all subsequent plagues, revealing that God is actively dismantling Egypt's spiritual foundations before physically bringing it to its knees.