7:14–25 First Blood. The account of the first plague begins with the notice that Pharaoh’s heart is unyielding. The Hebrew word here is kabed, meaning a “fat” heart or “heavy and sluggish” heart. In this context it could be paraphrased “self-fulfilled” or “self-satisfied.” The word describes Pharaoh’s “hard heart” in 7:14; 8:14, 28; 9:7, 34; 10:1; 14:4, 17. The synonym used elsewhere for “hard heart” is khazaq, which means “tough” or “strong.” Pharaoh will not change much in the conflict that follows. He remains tough and self-satisfied.

The Lord told Moses to wait for the pharaoh on the banks of the Nile with his staff. The next twelve verses mention the Nile’s waters seven times. The river was the source of Egypt’s economic power. Its irrigation canals and reservoirs made Egypt the brea…