Aaron's Staff Swallows the Egyptian Magicians' Serpents

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vaera 12:3

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Exodus 7:11:) "And the magicians of Egypt also did so with their secret arts." The magicians of Egypt came, "and they each cast down his staff" (ibid. verse 12), just as Aaron had done, "and they became serpents" (ibid.). What is written? "And Aaron's staff swallowed their staffs" (ibid.). Thus (Proverbs 29:11): "A fool gives full vent to his spirit" — this is Pharaoh. "But a wise man holds it back in the end" — this is Moses and Aaron, concerning whom it is written, "And Aaron's staff swallowed their staffs."

Themes

EgyptAdam EvePriesthoodWisdomAnimals

Biblical References

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