Exodus 9:11
And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָכְל֣וּ
could
H3201
יָכְל֣וּ
could
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
2 of 14
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
בַּֽחֲרְטֻמִּ֖ם
And the magicians
H2748
בַּֽחֲרְטֻמִּ֖ם
And the magicians
Strong's:
H2748
Word #:
3 of 14
a horoscopist (as drawing magical lines or circles)
לַֽעֲמֹ֛ד
not stand
H5975
לַֽעֲמֹ֛ד
not stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
4 of 14
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
מִפְּנֵ֣י
because
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֣י
because
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
מִפְּנֵ֣י
because
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֣י
because
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
7 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָיָ֣ה
H1961
הָיָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַּֽחֲרְטֻמִּ֖ם
And the magicians
H2748
בַּֽחֲרְטֻמִּ֖ם
And the magicians
Strong's:
H2748
Word #:
12 of 14
a horoscopist (as drawing magical lines or circles)
Historical Context
Sekhmet was lioness goddess who both caused and healed disease. Imhotep, deified architect, became god of healing. Their inability to prevent or cure boils demonstrates YHWH's supremacy over health and disease.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the magicians' personal affliction teach about false religion's impotence?
- How does physical suffering sometimes reveal spiritual realities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Verse 11 introduces the plague of boils (שְׁחִין, shechin—inflamed sores), targeting Sekhmet (goddess of healing) and Imhotep (god of medicine). The magicians themselves are afflicted and cannot stand before Moses. This plague physically marks Egypt's defeat.