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Death of Firstborn

Laws of the Firstborn: How They Were Connected to the Tenth Plague

The sacrifice of firstling animals and redemption of firstborn sons were originally not related to the exodus story. When they were linked to the tenth plague, the narrative was adjusted to have YHWH also slaughter the Egyptian firstling animals.

Prof. Rabbi

David Frankel

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“Not a Dog Shall Snarl” – What Is the Meaning of Exodus 11:7?

Village dogs, guard dogs, scavenger dogs, and dog burials—what archaeology and the Bible can tell us about dogs in ancient Egypt and the Levant, and the significance of their silence during the plague of the firstborn.

Prof.

Deirdre Fulton

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Dr.

Paula Wapnish Hesse

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The Death of Pharaoh’s Firstborn: A One Plague Exodus

After commissioning Moses at the burning bush, God commissions Moses again in Midian, and then again on his way to Egypt. In this third commission, God instructs Moses to tell Pharaoh, “Let My son go, that he may worship Me, yet you refuse to let him go. Now I will slay your firstborn son” (Exod 4:22-23). How does this narrative fit into the exodus story?

Prof. Rabbi

David Frankel

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YHWH’s War Against the Egyptian Sun-God Ra

Reading the plagues of locust, darkness, and firstborn in their ancient Egyptian context.

Prof.

Gary Rendsburg

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Integrating the Exodus Story into the Festivals

The exodus story, which is presented as the basis for many of the Torah’s rituals, is a secondary insertion in many of these contexts.

Prof. Rabbi

David Frankel

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