Exodus – Chapter 11

Old Testament • 10 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And the Lord said to Moses: Yet one plague more will I bring upon Pharao and Egypt, and after that he shall let you go, and thrust you out." — so begins Exodus 11. The chapter centers on Pharaoh, Moses and Aaron. Across its 10 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and worship and praise. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And the Lord said to Moses: Yet one plague more will I bring upon Pharao and Egypt, and after that he shall let you go, and thrust you out.

2Therefore thou shalt tell all the people, that every man ask of his friend, and every woman of her neighbour, vessels of silver and of gold.

3And the Lord will give favour to his people in the sight of the Egyptians. And Moses was a very great man in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharao's servants, and of all the people.

4And he said: Thus saith the Lord: At midnight I will enter into Egypt:

5And every firstborn in the land of the Egyptians shall die, from the firstborn of Pharao who sitteth on his throne, even to the firstborn of the handmaid that is at the mill, and all the firstborn of beasts.

6And there shall be a great cry in all the land of Egypt, such as neither hath been before, nor shall be hereafter.

7But with all the children of Israel there shall not a dog make the least noise, from man even to beast; that you may know how wonderful a difference the Lord maketh between the Egyptians and Israel.

8And all these thy servants shall come down to me, and shall worship me, saying: Go forth thou, and all the people that is under thee: after that we will go out.

9And he went out from Pharao exceeding angry. But the Lord said to Moses: Pharao will not hear you, that many signs may be done in the land of Egypt.

10And Moses and Aaron did all the wonders that are written, before Pharao. And the Lord hardened Pharao's heart, neither did he let the children of Israel go out of his land.

Important Verses in Exodus 11

“And the Lord said to Moses: Yet one plague more will I bring upon Pharao and Egypt, and after that he shall let you go, and thrust you out.”

Exodus 11:1

“And he said: Thus saith the Lord: At midnight I will enter into Egypt:”

Exodus 11:4

“But with all the children of Israel there shall not a dog make the least noise, from man even to beast; that you may know how wonderful a difference the Lord maketh between the Egyptians and Israel.”

Exodus 11:7

“And Moses and Aaron did all the wonders that are written, before Pharao. And the Lord hardened Pharao's heart, neither did he let the children of Israel go out of his land. ”

Exodus 11:10

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Exodus was written with israel in every generation, commanded to remember the Passover as a perpetual memorial in view. Chapter 11 of 40 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a prophetic oracle addressed to Israel in a moment of covenant crisis or renewal with 10 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Pharaoh, Moses and Aaron, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "And the Lord said to Moses: Yet one plague more will I bring upon Pharao and Egypt, and after that he shall let you go,…" The chapter ends with: "And Moses and Aaron did all the wonders that are written, before Pharao. And the Lord hardened Pharao's heart, neither…" Read against its original backdrop, Exodus recounts the defining event of the Old Testament: God's liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh, most likely Ramesses II. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing

When It Was Written

Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, this oracle names the sins, judgments, or promises relevant to its original hearers. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And the Lord said to Moses: Yet one plague more will I bring upon Pharao and Egypt, and after that he shall let you go, and thrust you out." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 26). Here, the Church sees the Exodus as prefiguring Baptism and the Eucharist (CIC 1221, 1363). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

People in This Chapter

Pharaoh7 mentionsMoses4 mentionsAaron1 mention

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Exodus Chapter 11 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. John Damascene and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. the Church sees the Exodus as prefiguring Baptism and the Eucharist (CIC 1221, 1363). The passage calls believers to grasp that God delivers His people from slavery.

Let Exodus Chapter 11 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Exodus Chapter 11 about?

Exodus 11 contains 10 verses. It opens with "And the Lord said to Moses: Yet one plague more will I bring upon Pharao and Egypt, and after that he shall let you go,…" and closes with "And Moses and Aaron did all the wonders that are written, before Pharao. And the Lord hardened Pharao's heart, neither…". The book as a whole is narrative, law, and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Exodus 11?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And the Lord said to Moses: Yet one plague more will I bring upon Pharao and Egypt, and after that he shall let you go, and thrust you out." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Exodus Chapter 11?

This chapter mentions Pharaoh, Moses, Aaron.

Who wrote Exodus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing. Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Related Chapters

Leviticus 1Shares people and themes with this chapterNumbers 4Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Samuel 12Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

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