PLAGUES OF EGYPT (plags ov ejypt), the term usually employed to express the visitation of divine wrath upon the Egyptians for refusing to let the Israelites depart.
When the Lord had ordered Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Goshen and conduct them to Canaan, and Pharaoh, hardening his heart, opposed the command of the Lord and would not let the people go, ten fearful plagues fell upon the land of Egypt.
The different plagues were as follows : 1. The waters of the Nile changed into blood; the fishes died, and no man could drink of the river. But the magicians imitated the miracle and Pha raoh hardened his heart (Exod. vii :14-25).
2. Then followed the plague of the frogs; but this too was imitated by the magicians, and Pharaoh hardened his heart still more (Exod. viii 3. With the third plague, however—that of lice—the magicians were conquered, and acknowl edged. "This is the finger of God" (Exod. viii: 16-19 ) .
4. The fourth plague sent swarms of flies out over the country, and the people were devoured by their venomous bite (Ps. lxxviii :45). Pharaoh now relented and declared himself willing toyield, hut on the removal of the plague he again hard ened his heart (Exod. viii :2o-32).
5. A very grievous murrain attacked the horses, asses, camels, oxen, and sheep of Egypt, while those of the children of Israel were free (Exod.
ix :1-7).
6. Boils broke out upon man and beast, even upon the magicians themselves (Exod. ix :8-12).
7. Then a frightful thunderstorm, with hail, passed over the land of Egypt, destroying the growing crops, breaking trees,overthrpwing build ings everywhere, but sparing Goshen. Alarmed, Pharaoh promised to yield, but on the withdrawal of the plague he again hardened his heart (Exod.
ix :13-35).
8. Locusts followed, and ate up what the hail storm had left; but Pharaoh sent Moses and Aaron away from his presence, and heeded not the warning (Exod. x :I-2o).
9. A thick darkness fell for three days upon the land. For three days no man was able to rise. But in Goshen there was light. Then Pharaoh was seized by despair, and he threatened Moses with death if he ever saw his face again (Exod.
x :21-28).
10. Finally, the firstborn of the Egyptians were smitten at midnight (Exod. xii :29, 3o) ; "and Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians, and there was a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more." (Schaff, Bib. Diet.) (See MAGI; MAGIC; Moses ; PHARAOH.)