The Plagues of Egypt, also known as the Ten Plagues, are a series of divine interventions described in the Book of Exodus, chapters 7 through 12, that God inflicted upon Egypt to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. These plagues demonstrate God's power and serve as a judgment against the Egyptian gods and their oppressive practices. The narrative highlights the sovereignty of the God of Israel over all creation and His commitment to His covenant people.

1. Water Turned to Blood (Exodus 7:14-24): The first plague involved the transformation of the Nile River's waters into blood. "And all the waters of the Nile were turned to blood. The fish in the Nile died, and the river reeked so badly that the Egyptians could not drink its water" (Exodus 7:20-21). This plague struck at the heart of Egypt's sustenance and economy, as the Nile was central to their agriculture and daily life.

2. Frogs (Exodus 8:1-15): The second plague brought an overwhelming infestation of frogs. "The frogs will come up on you and your people and all your officials" (Exodus 8:4). Frogs invaded homes, bedrooms, and kitchens, causing chaos and discomfort. This plague mocked the Egyptian goddess Heqet, who was depicted with a frog's head and associated with fertility.

3. Gnats (Exodus 8:16-19): The third plague saw the dust of the earth become gnats throughout Egypt. "All the dust of the land became gnats throughout all the land of Egypt" (Exodus 8:17). This plague demonstrated God's power over the earth and the inability of Pharaoh's magicians to replicate or reverse it, acknowledging, "This is the finger of God" (Exodus 8:19).

4. Flies (Exodus 8:20-32): The fourth plague brought swarms of flies that filled the houses and land of Egypt. "But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people live, so that no swarms of flies will be there" (Exodus 8:22). This distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites underscored God's protection over His people.

5. Livestock Disease (Exodus 9:1-7): The fifth plague struck the Egyptian livestock with a severe disease, causing widespread death. "All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died" (Exodus 9:6). This plague further demonstrated God's ability to protect His people while bringing judgment upon Egypt.

6. Boils (Exodus 9:8-12): The sixth plague afflicted the Egyptians with painful boils. "The boils broke out on men and animals" (Exodus 9:10). This plague targeted the physical health of the Egyptians and their magicians, who could not stand before Moses because of the boils.

7. Hail (Exodus 9:13-35): The seventh plague unleashed a devastating hailstorm. "The hail struck down everything in the field—both man and beast—and it beat down every plant of the field and shattered every tree" (Exodus 9:25). This plague demonstrated God's control over the weather and His power to destroy the agricultural foundation of Egypt.

8. Locusts (Exodus 10:1-20): The eighth plague brought locusts that consumed what was left after the hail. "They covered the face of all the land, so that the land was darkened, and they devoured every plant in the land" (Exodus 10:15). This plague further devastated Egypt's food supply and economy.

9. Darkness (Exodus 10:21-29): The ninth plague brought a palpable darkness over Egypt for three days. "No one could see anyone else or leave his place for three days" (Exodus 10:23). This darkness was a direct affront to Ra, the Egyptian sun god, highlighting the supremacy of the God of Israel.

10. Death of the Firstborn (Exodus 11:1-12:30): The final and most severe plague was the death of all firstborn in Egypt. "At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt" (Exodus 12:29). This plague led to the institution of the Passover, where the Israelites marked their doorposts with lamb's blood to be spared from the destroyer. It ultimately compelled Pharaoh to release the Israelites, fulfilling God's promise to deliver His people.

The Plagues of Egypt serve as a powerful testament to God's deliverance and judgment, emphasizing His authority over all nations and His faithfulness to His covenant with Israel.