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What were the Ten Plagues?

In order to convince the pharaoh (Egyptian king) to release the Israelites (Jews) from slavery, God made the people of Egypt suffer from ten plagues (widespread punishments). It was only after the last plague—the death of the first-born—that the pharaoh agreed to release the Israelites from slavery.

—Water turned to blood

—Frogs

—Mosquitoes

—Flies

—Pestilence (disease that killed Egyptian-owned livestock)

—Boils (open sores)

—Hail

—Locusts (large swarms of grasshoppers)

—Three days of darkness

—Death of the first-born child of each Egyptian family

Further Information: "Exodus," Chapters 7–12. The New American Bible for Catholics. Iowa Falls, Iowa: World Bible Publishers, 1976; Josephus, Flavius. Antiquities of the Jews. [Online] Available

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