Comments on Exodus 11 v1-3 is a parenthetical insert in between ch. 10 and the rest of ch. 11, which two chapters are part of an ongoing dialogue between Moses and Pharaoh. It is apparently a private revelation to Moses by the Lord while he was in the presence of Pharaoh. The Passover was predicted in 3:19-22. v4-8 Moses, taking the substance of the private revelation in v. 1-3, gives his statement to Pharaoh announcing the imminent Passover. v5 The Lord is treating the Egyptians the same as cattle. Their massive pride has resulted in rebellion in the face of His power, and they are therefore no better to him that cattle, so they will be treated as the dumb beasts they are. However, among Israel the animals are treated differently from the people, cf. 13:15. v9 is another private revelation to Moses, wherein the Lord predicts Pharaoh will not heed the preceding warning and the Passover will go through as predicted. v10 is a comment by Moses on the futility of signs, and the hardness of heart that resulted from them. "The Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart", the text is not suggesting at all that the Lord robbed Pharaoh of his agency, or forced him in any way to be the way he is. What it is saying is the miracles worked resulted in Pharaoh's heart being hardened because he rebelled against Him, as is the case in Isa. 6:8-10. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.