The Skeptics Annotated Bible

by Wells, Steve

  16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you.

  17 Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.

  18 And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD.

  19 And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.

  20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.

  (10.20) “The LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.” God hardens Pharaoh’s heart again (sixth time).

  95 Who hardened the Pharaoh’s heart?

  Ninth Plague

  (10.21-23) Three days of darkness.

  The darkness was so thick that the Egyptians couldn’t even see each other. But the darkness knew how to avoid the Israelites, and so “all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.”

  21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.

  (10.21) “The LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt.”

  22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:

  (10.22) “And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.”

  23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

  (10.23) “They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.”

  24 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.

  25 And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God.

  (10.25) “Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings.”

  96 Did God command the Israelites to make him burnt offerings?

  26 Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither.

  27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go.

  (10.27) “But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go.” God hardens Pharaoh’s heart again (seventh time).

  95 Who hardened the Pharaoh’s heart?

  28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.

  29 And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.

  EXODUS 11

  11 And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether.

  2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver and jewels of gold.

  (11.2) “Let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver and jewels of gold.”

  91 Is it wrong to steal?

  3 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people.

  (11.4-6) These verses clearly show that the mass murder of innocent children by God (see 12.29-30) was premeditated.

  4 And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:

  (11.4) “Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt.”

  5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

  (11.5) “And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.”

  6 And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.

  (11.6) “And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt.”

  7 But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.

  (11.7) “That ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.” God will kill the Egyptian children to show that he puts “a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.”

  8 And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.

  9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.

  (11.9) “The LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” God explains to Moses that he has been hardening Pharaoh’s heart so that Pharaoh will not let the Israelites go and he’ll be able to show off his latest signs and wonders (by murdering little children).

  10 And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.

  (11.10) “The LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.” God hardens Pharaoh’s heart one last time (the eighth time) “so that he would not let the children of Israel go.”

  95 Who hardened the Pharaoh’s heart?

  EXODUS 12

  12 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,

  2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.

  (12.3-13) God tells the Israelites to smear some blood on their doors. That way when he’s going around killing Egyptian children, he’ll remember not to kill their children too. He probably said to himself when he saw the blood, “Oh yeah, I remember now. I’m not supposed to kill the children in this house.” (And be sure to sacrifice a male lamb. Only males are good enough for God.)

  3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

  (12.3) “Take … every man a lamb … for an house.”

  4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.

  5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

  (12.5) “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male.”

  6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

  (12.6) “The whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.”

  7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

  (12.7) “They shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses.”

 
8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.

  9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.

  10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.

  11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’s passover.

  12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.

  (12.12a) “I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast.”

  (12.12b) “Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment.”>

  9 How many gods are there?

  13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

  (12.13) “When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.”

  (12.14, 17, 24) The Passover is to be celebrated forever.

  56 Must Christian obey Old Testament laws?

  14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

  (12.14) “Ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.”

  15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

  (12.15) “Seven days shall ye eat unleaven bread.”

  98 How many days is unleaven bread to be eaten during Passover?

  16 And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.

  17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.

  (12.17) “Therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.”

  18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.

  19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.

  20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.

  21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

  22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.

  23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

  24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.

  (12.24) “Ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.”

  25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.

  26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?

  27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.

  28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.

  Tenth Plague

  (12.29-30) After God had sufficiently hardened the Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 11.10), he killed all the firstborn Egyptian children. When he was finished “there was not a house where there was not one dead.” Finally, he runs out of little babies to kill, so he slaughters the firstborn cattle, too.

  God’s 9th Killing

  29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.

  (12.29a) “At midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon.”

  (12.29b) “The LORD smote … all the firstborn of cattle.” But there shouldn’t have been any cattle since God already killed them with a “grievous murrain (Ex 9.6).” Well maybe he created some more so that he’d have some more to kill.

  97 Did God kill all the Egyptian cattle in the sixth plague?

  30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

  (12.30) “And there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.”

  31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.

  32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.

  33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.

  34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.

  (12.35-36) The Israelites, following Moses and God’s instructions, steal jewels and clothing from the Egyptians.

  91 Is it OK to steal?

  35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:

  (12.35) “The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment.”

  36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

  (12.36) “And they spoiled the Egyptians.”

  37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.

  (12.37) “Six hundred thousand on foot that were men.” Population Explosion (See note for Exodus 1.5, 7).

  38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

  39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.

  40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.

  (12.40) “The sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.”

  52 How long was the Egyptian Captivity?

  41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfs
ame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.

  42 It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.

  (12.43-48) No stranger, foreigner, uncircumcised person can eat the passover. (But circumcised slaves are OK.)

  43 And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:

  (12.43) “The LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof.”

  44 But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.

  (12.44) “Every man’s servant that is bought for money …”

  42 Is slavery OK?

  45 A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.

  (12.45) “A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.”

  46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.

  47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.

  48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

  (12.48) “No uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.”

  49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

  50 Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.

  51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

  EXODUS 13

  13 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

  (13.2-15) To commemorate the divine massacre of the Egyptian children, God instructs the Israelites to “sacrifice to the Lord all that openeth the matrix”—all the males, that is. God has no use for dead, burnt female bodies.