The showdown begins
The story of the plagues is told in cycles
– specific themes (even exact phrases) are repeated
Examples include: Let my people go, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, Pharaoh refused to listen, the Egyptian magicians did same with their magic arts, then they will know I am Yahweh/I will show them that I am Yahweh
• also is also a pattern that links the first nine plagues
The Nile water is turned to blood — Moses confronts Pharaoh in the morning
The frogs fill the land — Moses appears before Pharaoh (presumably in the royal courts)
Gnats infest the land — Moses does not meet Pharaoh and there is no warning
Flies infest the land — Moses confronts Pharaoh in the morning
An epidemic kills Egypt’s livestock — Moses appears before Pharaoh
An epidemic of boils infects humans — Moses does not meet Pharaoh and there is no warning
Hail destroys Egypt’s crops — Moses confronts Pharaoh in the morning
Locusts destroys Egypt’s crops — Moses appears before Pharaoh
Darkness envelopes the land — Moses does not meet Pharaoh and there is no warning