The Sixth Plague: Boils
8 [Day 17] Then YHVH said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from the furnace; in the sight of Pharaoh, Moses is to toss it into the air. 9It will become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on man and beast throughout the land.”
10So they took soot from the furnace and stood before Pharaoh. Moses tossed it into the air, and festering boils broke out on man and beast. 11The magicians could not stand before Moses, because the boils had broken out on them and on all the Egyptians.
12But YHVH hardenedb Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to them, just as YHVH had said to Moses.
13Then YHVH said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning, stand before Pharaoh, and tell him that this is what YHVH, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. 14Otherwise, I will send all My plagues against youc and your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth.
15For by this time I could have stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the earth. 16But I have raised you upd for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you,e and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.f 17Still, you lord it over My people and do not allow them to go.
18Behold, at this time tomorrow I will rain down the worst hail that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded until now. 19So give orders now to shelter your livestock and everything you have in the field. Every man or beast that remains in the field and is not brought inside will die when the hail comes down upon them.’”
20Those among Pharaoh’s officials who feared the word of YHVH hurried to bring their servants and livestock to shelter, 21but those who disregarded the word of YHVH left their servants and livestock in the field.