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Exodus 7:12

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 7:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron`s rod swallowed up their rods.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron`s rod swallowed up their rods.
Exodus 7:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Show a wonder for you; then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent.
10And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so, as Jehovah had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
11Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers: and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did in like manner with their enchantments.
12For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron`s rod swallowed up their rods.
13And Pharaoh`s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as Jehovah had spoken.
14And Jehovah said unto Moses, Pharaoh`s heart is stubborn, he refuseth to let the people go.
15Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river`s brink to meet him; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thy hand.
← Exodus 7:11Exodus 7:13 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents, etc.] That is, they seemed to be so, as Josephus f197 expresses it, but not really, in which he is followed by many; though some think that the devil assisted in this affair, and in an instant, as soon as the rods were cast down, removed them and put real serpents in their room: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods; that is, the serpent that Aaron’s rod was turned into, swallowed up the rods of the magicians, which never were otherwise than rods only in appearance; or if real serpents were put in the room of them, these were devoured by his serpent called his rod, because it was before turned into a serpent, as Aben Ezra…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods--This was what they could not be prepared for, and the discomfiture appeared in the loss of their rods, which were probably real serpents.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“but Aaron's: Exo 8:18, Exo 8:19, Exo 9:11; Act 8:9-13, Act 13:8-11, Act 19:19, Act 19:20; Jo1 4:4 Exodus 7:13”
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Related study paths

Read Exodus 7 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification