One of the most notable stories in the Bible is the story of Moses and the plagues that he called upon the land of Egypt. These plagues were punishments sent down from God, aimed at the Pharaoh and his people for their lack of cooperation and refusal to release the Israelites from slavery. The tenth and final plague, however, was by far the most devastating of them all.
The tenth plague is often referred to as the “plague of the firstborn.” God’s angel of death would pass through the land of Egypt and strike down the firstborn child of every family. This was meant as a final warning to the Pharaoh, a means of showing him that the Israelites were to be taken seriously and treated with the respect that they deserved. It was a devastating blow to the Egyptian people, as the loss of a child was considered to be one of the greatest tragedies that could befall a family.
Despite the severity of the tenth plague, it was ultimately successful in securing the freedom of the Israelites. The Pharaoh was so struck by the loss of his firstborn son that he finally relented and allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt. It was a momentous occasion for the Israelites, marking the end of their long and arduous journey towards freedom. Even to this day, the story of the plagues and the tenth plague in particular, remains one of the most powerful and poignant tales in Biblical history.
Meaning of Plague in Bible
In the Bible, plagues are often viewed as divine retribution for disobedience or sin. The Hebrew word for plague is makot, which can also be translated as “strikes” or “afflictions.”
Throughout the Old Testament, God uses plagues to punish the Israelites and other nations for their wrongdoing. For example, in the book of Exodus, God sends ten plagues to Egypt to force Pharaoh to free the Israelites from slavery. In this account, the plagues serve as a way for God to demonstrate his power and to show his support for the Israelites.
While some scholars interpret plagues in the Bible as purely symbolic, others see them as historical events that are grounded in reality. Regardless of how one reads them, the plagues serve as a powerful reminder of God’s power and sovereignty over the world.
The Plagues of Egypt
The 10th Plague: Death of the Firstborn
The final and most devastating of the ten plagues in the Bible was the death of the firstborn. This plague was the culmination of God’s punishment towards Pharaoh and the Egyptians for refusing to release the Israelites from slavery. It was also a fulfillment of the prophecy that God had proclaimed to Moses at the burning bush.
The 10th plague was meant to strike at the very heart of Egyptian society and their belief system. The firstborn son was the heir to the family legacy and the center of the family’s religious practices. The Egyptians believed that Pharaoh was the earthly embodiment of the god Horus, and the death of his firstborn son would mean that his rule was illegitimate.
The 10th plague was preceded by a warning from God to the Israelites to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb and to stay inside their homes. This blood would serve as a sign and protection from the plague, and any home without the blood on their doorposts would suffer the same fate as the Egyptians.
- According to the Bible, as the night of the 10th plague fell, a great cry arose from all over Egypt as the firstborn in every family fell dead.
- Pharaoh’s own son also died, leading him to finally relent and allow the Israelites to leave Egypt.
- The 10th plague was a turning point in the history of Israel, as it led to their liberation from slavery and the beginning of their journey towards the Promised Land.
The Impact of the Plagues
The plagues of Egypt were not just a series of supernatural events meant to punish the Egyptians for their treatment of the Israelites. They were also a demonstration of God’s power and sovereignty over all creation. They were a declaration that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was the only true God and that all other gods were powerless.
The plagues also had a profound impact on the Israelites themselves. They were a reminder of God’s faithfulness and provision for his people. They were a demonstration of his power and his commitment to their liberation. They were a call to trust in God as they embarked on a journey towards the Promised Land.
| Plague | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Water turned into blood | The Nile River and all other water sources turned into blood, killing all fish and making the water undrinkable. | Exodus 7:14-25 |
| Frogs | Frogs infest Egypt, covering every inch of the land. | Exodus 8:1-15 |
| Gnats or Lice | The dust of the earth turns into gnats or lice, causing irritation and discomfort. | Exodus 8:16-19 |
| Flies or Wild Animals | A swarm of flies or wild animals infest homes and the countryside, causing chaos and destruction. | Exodus 8:20-32 |
| Disease on Livestock | All livestock in Egypt die, leaving the people without their primary source of food and labor. | Exodus 9:1-7 |
| Boils | All Egyptians are struck with painful boils, making daily life unbearable. | Exodus 9:8-12 |
| Hail | Hailstones rain down on Egypt, destroying crops and killing livestock. | Exodus 9:13-35 |
| Locusts | A swarm of locusts devours all remaining crops, causing widespread famine. | Exodus 10:1-20 |
| Darkness | Darkness covers Egypt for three days, plunging the land into complete chaos. | Exodus 10:21-29 |
| Death of the Firstborn | The firstborn son in every Egyptian family dies, leading to Pharaoh’s decision to release the Israelites from slavery. | Exodus 11:1-12:36 |
The 10 plagues of Egypt are a reminder of God’s power and justice, his faithfulness to his people, and his commitment to their liberation. They are a testament to the fact that God is always at work in the world, guiding and directing the course of human history according to his divine plan.
Historical Context of the 10th Plague
The final and most devastating punishment that God inflicted on the Egyptians was the 10th plague, also known as the “plague of the firstborn.” This plague is considered the most severe as it resulted in widespread death among the Egyptians, including their firstborn sons. This event marked the climax of the ten plagues of Egypt, and it paved the way for the Israelites’ eventual freedom from slavery.
- Firstly, it is essential to understand that the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for more than 400 years. They had been oppressed, their rights had been violated, and they were subject to hard labor and brutal treatment. God sends Moses to the Pharaoh to demand the release of his people, but the Pharaoh refused to let them go despite the nine plagues that had preceded the last one.
- Secondly, the tenth plague was not an arbitrary act of cruelty; it was a divine judgment on the Egyptians’ disobedience to God. The Egyptians had refused to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and had instead put their trust in their false gods and idols. Therefore, God’s judgment was meant not just to punish but also to demonstrate his power and authority and to force the Egyptians to acknowledge him as the true God.
- Thirdly, the 10th plague had both spiritual and legal significance. God had promised to deliver the Israelites from bondage and oppression and had promised them a land of their own. Therefore, the 10th plague was the final step in fulfilling God’s promise to his people. It also served as the legal basis for the Israelites’ claims to the land of Canaan.
The 10th plague involved the death of all the firstborn sons of the Egyptians, including even the Pharaoh’s son. However, the Israelites were spared from this plague by following God’s commandments to sacrifice a lamb and use its blood to mark their doorposts. This sign would then protect the Israelites from the angel of death that God sent to take the lives of the Egyptians’ firstborn.
| Plague No. | Plague Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Water turned into blood |
| 2 | Frogs |
| 3 | Gnats or Lice |
| 4 | Flies or wild animals |
| 5 | Pestilence |
| 6 | Boils or sores |
| 7 | Hail and thunder |
| 8 | Locusts |
| 9 | Darkness |
| 10 | Death of the firstborn |
In conclusion, the 10th plague was a profound and significant event in the history of Israel as it marked the end of their long period of slavery and oppression and began their journey of redemption as a nation. It is a reminder to all of us that God is a righteous judge who punishes disobedience, but also a loving God who keeps his promises and delivers his people from bondage.
Significance of Lamb’s Blood in 10th Plague
During the 10th and final plague in the book of Exodus, God sent the Angel of Death to take the lives of all the firstborn sons in Egypt. In order to protect their own families, the Israelites were instructed to take a lamb without blemish and slaughter it as a sacrifice. They were to take some of its blood and spread it on the doorposts of their homes. When the Angel of Death saw the blood, he would pass over that house and spare the firstborn son. This event became known as the Passover, which is still celebrated today by many Jewish people worldwide.
- The lamb without blemish was significant because it represented purity and innocence. This was important because it foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ, who was also without blemish and would later become the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of mankind.
- The blood of the lamb was significant because it symbolized the Israelites’ faith and obedience to God. By putting the blood on their doorposts, they were essentially acknowledging that they believed in God’s promise to spare them from the Angel of Death.
- The Passover was significant because it marked the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It was a reminder of God’s faithfulness to His people and His power to deliver them from oppression.
The significance of the lamb’s blood in the 10th plague can be further understood by examining its parallels to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelites were spared from death by the blood of the lamb, so too can we be saved from eternal death by the blood of Jesus Christ. His death on the cross serves as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, and by placing our faith in Him, we are saved from the consequences of our wrongdoing.
Overall, the use of the lamb’s blood in the 10th plague serves as a powerful reminder of God’s love for His people and His desire to protect them from harm. It is a symbol of faith, obedience, and the ultimate sacrifice that was made for our salvation.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Lamb without blemish | Purity and innocence, foreshadowing the coming of Jesus Christ |
| Blood of the lamb | Symbol of faith and acknowledgement of God’s promise |
| The Passover | Reminder of God’s faithfulness and power to deliver from oppression |
The parallels between the lamb’s blood in the 10th plague and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ serve as a powerful reminder of God’s love and His ultimate plan for our salvation.
Firstborn’s Death in the 10th Plague
Out of all the ten plagues that God sent upon Egypt, the 10th and final plague was the most destructive. This plague was the death of all the firstborn in Egypt, both humans and animals. It was a devastating event that deeply impacted the Egyptian people and eventually led to the release of the Israelites from their slavery.
- The Israelites were instructed to take a lamb, sacrifice it, and smear its blood on the doorframe of their homes. This act would signal to the angel of death to pass over that household and spare their firstborn.
- However, the Egyptians did not follow this instruction, and as a result, every firstborn in Egypt died that night, including Pharaoh’s own son.
- This was a significant blow to the Egyptian psyche and had major consequences on their society.
The death of the firstborns in Egypt was a direct result of Pharaoh’s stubbornness and refusal to free the Israelites. It was a culmination of all the plagues before it, showing the extent of God’s power and the consequences of not following His commandments.
Even today, the story of the 10th plague serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and following God’s laws. It is a lesson that should be taken to heart and put into practice in our daily lives.
| Key Points: | Significance: |
|---|---|
| The death of the firstborns in Egypt | Shows the extent of God’s power and consequences of disobedience |
| Israelites were instructed to sacrifice a lamb and smear its blood on their doorframe | Signal to the angel of death to pass over their household |
| Pharaoh’s stubbornness and refusal to free the Israelites led to the plague | Significant blow to the Egyptian psyche and society |
The death of the firstborn in Egypt was a tragic event, but it also served as a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty over all things and the importance of obedience to His commandments.
Moses’ Role in Delivering the 10th Plague
Moses played a significant role in delivering the 10th plague onto Egypt. He was chosen by God to be the messenger to Pharaoh and the Israelites, leading them out of slavery and into the Promised Land.
- Moses delivered God’s message to Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites. Pharaoh refused, and God began to send a series of plagues to convince him otherwise.
- Moses performed miracles as evidence of his divine power, further convincing Pharaoh to release the Israelites.
- Before the 10th plague, God commanded Moses to instruct the Israelites to paint the blood of a sacrificial lamb on their doorposts. This would protect them from the angel of death, who was sent to kill the firstborn in every Egyptian household.
Despite Pharaoh’s refusal, Moses remained obedient and steadfast in his mission. He followed God’s commands, and as a result, the Israelites were spared. This event serves as a testament to Moses’ faith and God’s power.
In summary, Moses played a vital role in delivering the 10th plague and leading the Israelites out of slavery. He was a faithful messenger of God, delivering his message to Pharaoh and leading his people to safety.
Moses’ Role in Delivering the 10th Plague
Moses was not merely a messenger but a leader, as well. He helped the Israelites prepare for their departure by organizing them into tribes and appointing leaders over each.
Furthermore, Moses was a mediator between God and the people. He prayed to God on behalf of the Israelites and served as a liaison between them. This is evident in his plea to God to spare the Israelites after they created and worshiped the golden calf (Exodus 32:11-14).
Moses’ Role in Delivering the 10th Plague
The 10th plague is arguably the most memorable and significant of the plagues. It is also known as the Passover, as the Israelites were “passed over” by the angel of death. This event is commemorated in Jewish tradition every year.
The following table summarizes the details of the 10th plague:
| Plague | Description |
|---|---|
| 10th Plague / Passover | The angel of death kills the firstborn in every Egyptian household, sparing the Israelites who painted lamb’s blood on their doorposts. |
The 10th plague serves as a reminder of God’s power and mercy. It also highlights the importance of obedience and faith, as shown through Moses’ actions.
Passover Celebration and Connection to 10th Plague
The Passover celebration is one of the most important Jewish holidays, commemorating the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. It is observed on the 15th day of Nisan (usually in March or April) and lasts for seven or eight days. The story of Passover is deeply connected to the 10th plague, which was the final and most devastating plague inflicted upon Egypt.
- The Passover celebration begins with a special meal, known as the Seder. The word “Seder” means “order,” as the meal is structured according to a specific order of events. During the Seder, a Haggadah (a book of stories, prayers, and songs) is read, retelling the story of the Israelites’ escape from Egypt. This includes the retelling of the 10 plagues, with particular emphasis on the 10th plague of the killing of the firstborn.
- There is a strong connection between the Passover celebration and the 10th plague, which saw the Angel of Death pass over the Israelites but slay the firstborn of every Egyptian family. It is believed that marking the doorposts of Jewish homes with lamb’s blood (as instructed by God in Exodus 12:7) ensured that the Angel of Death would “pass over” these homes. This imagery has strong symbolic significance for the Jewish people, representing both God’s protection and mercy.
- Another significant aspect of the Passover celebration is the removal of chametz (leavened bread) from Jewish homes. This is a symbolic act, representing the Israelites’ haste to flee Egypt and the unleavened bread they ate during their journey. The removal of chametz is also connected to the 10th plague, as the Israelites were instructed to eat unleavened bread during the Passover meal, and were not allowed to eat any chametz in their homes or in the fields during the festival (Exodus 12:15).
The table below shows the 10 plagues inflicted upon Egypt, including the 10th plague, which led to the eventual release of the Israelites from slavery:
| Plague | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Water turned into blood |
| 2 | Frogs |
| 3 | Lice |
| 4 | Wild animals |
| 5 | Disease on livestock |
| 6 | Boils |
| 7 | Hail and thunder |
| 8 | Locusts |
| 9 | Darkness |
| 10 | Death of the firstborn |
The Passover celebration and the 10th plague are intrinsically linked, representing the suffering and eventual freedom of the Jewish people. The Passover holiday serves as a reminder of the power of faith and God’s mercy, and continues to be celebrated by Jewish communities around the world to this day.
FAQs About What is the 10th Plague in the Bible
Q: What is the 10th plague in the Bible?
A: The 10th plague in the Bible is the Death of the Firstborn.
Q: What does the Death of the Firstborn entail?
A: The Death of the Firstborn refers to the death of every firstborn child in Egypt, both humans and livestock.
Q: Why did God send the 10th plague?
A: God sent the 10th plague as a punishment for Pharaoh’s stubbornness and refusal to release the Israelites from slavery.
Q: How did the Israelites avoid the 10th plague?
A: God instructed the Israelites to mark their doors with the blood of a lamb so that the Angel of Death would pass over their homes.
Q: Was the 10th plague the last one?
A: Yes, the 10th plague was the final one, and after it, Pharaoh finally released the Israelites from slavery.
Q: Does the 10th plague have a symbolic meaning?
A: Yes, the 10th plague represents the power of God over life and death and foreshadows the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Q: How does the 10th plague contribute to the Passover celebration?
A: The Passover celebration commemorates the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and includes the retelling of the 10th plague and the instructions for observing Passover.
A Final Word
Thanks for taking the time to learn more about the 10th plague in the Bible. It is a powerful story that has a significant impact on both Jewish and Christian faiths. We hope you enjoyed this article and invite you to visit us again for more informative pieces.