Magic Versus Miracles - Egyptian Showdown Featuring Moses!
Scriptures:
- Exodus 7-12 The Plagues God sent to Egypt
In the book of Exodus, how could the Pharoah's sorcerers perform miracles? Miracles of inferior quality to those performed by Moses, certainly, but miracles nonetheless. Who is granting them this power if not their gods? .
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Examining the Exodus Showdown
Exodus is one of the most exciting books of ancient Hebrew writing. However, first, we need to some matters straight.
The writings in Exodus do not state the wise men and magicians summoned by Pharaoh, performed miracles.
The writings in Exodus do not state the wise men and magicians summoned by Pharaoh, performed miracles.
Understanding the Hebrew Writings About Moses Versus the Magicians
While some people might see what Pharoah's wise men did as miracles, that is not what the text says at all!
The text says that they merely copied the actions of Aaron.
In Exodus 7:11 we read
they did likewise through their בְּלַהֲטֵיהֶם.
To truly understand the Hebrew text of Exodus 7:11 it would be best to consult the original writer. Ask Our Father to reveal the meaning it holds for you.
The second best option would be to consult a student of that language and time period.
Just as the meanings of words and phrases have shifted in English, it is necessary to not only know the Hebrew words but what was meant by those words at that time.
Unfortunately, I am not a learned scholar in these areas, so I am definitely not the best person to ask.
Here, however, are my thoughts based on the information I have been able to find so far.:
The second best option would be to consult a student of that language and time period.
Just as the meanings of words and phrases have shifted in English, it is necessary to not only know the Hebrew words but what was meant by those words at that time.
Unfortunately, I am not a learned scholar in these areas, so I am definitely not the best person to ask.
Here, however, are my thoughts based on the information I have been able to find so far.:
What Does Exodus 7:11 Mean?
Studying manuscripts written in ancient Hebrew is challenging because only the consonants are recorded. The meaning of the ancient Hebrew words must be deciphered according to their context and in comparison to their occurrences elsewhere in ancient Hebrew writings.According to notes on Bible SABDA (http://Bible.Sabda.org):
The term בְּלַהֲטֵיהֶם (bÿlahatehem) means “by their secret arts”; it is from לוּט (**lut**, “to enwrap”). The Greek renders the word “by their magic”; **Tg. Onq.** translates this word as “murmurings” and “whispers,” and other Jewish sources “dazzling display” or “demons” (see further B. Jacob, **Exodus**, 253-54). Some people believe they may have done this by clever tricks, manipulation of the animals, or demonic power. Many have suggested that Aaron and the magicians were familiar with an old trick in which they could temporarily paralyze a serpent and then revive it. But here Aaron’s snake swallows up their **snakes*.
I find it interesting that the word *בְּלַהֲטֵיהֶם* a masculine singular noun occurs only once in the Hebrew Scriptures. 
Some other translation resources you may wish to consult include:
- Classic NET Bible. org Exodus 7 - 13 http://classic.net.bible.org/verse.php?book=Exo&chapter=7&verse=11#
- Sacred Texts Exodus Chapter 7 (http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/clarke/exo007.htm)
- The Jewish Virtual Library https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/
So, did they do their imitations of Our Father's work through deceptive means using distraction, or did they attempt to call upon a masculine power to do their bidding?
Whichever way their pale and unsuccessful imitation attempts were made, the Pharaoh's wise men finally acknowledged in Exodus 8:18-19 that the miracles done by Moses were created by G-D.
Whichever way their pale and unsuccessful imitation attempts were made, the Pharaoh's wise men finally acknowledged in Exodus 8:18-19 that the miracles done by Moses were created by G-D.
In conclusion, whether you believe that the magicians were calling upon their gods to help them beat Moses, or using smoke and mirrors as trickery, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE SUPREMACY OF Our Father!
About This Author
Sister Su is grateful to God for keeping her alive. She writes on several blogs, has a YouTube channel and is most easily reached through Twitter @Sister_Su
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