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Note that the divine Name, YHVH, was of course already known in a cognitive sense by the pre-Mosaic fathers, but this passage (and the accompanying revelation of YHVH’s four verbs of redemption [“I will free... deliver... redeem... take you”]) is intended to indicate that the direct experience of YHVH’s power and glory was not fully apprehended by the forefathers of Israel.
The rest of the parashah details the onset of the "the greater might" of YHVH (i.e., signs and wonders). First, Aaron's staff turned into a snake and swallowed the similar rods of the Egyptian sorcerers. God then sent a series of seven plagues upon the Egyptians. The waters of the Nile were turned to blood; swarms of frogs overrran the land; lice (or gnats) infested all men and beasts; swarms of flies invaded the cities, pestilence killed many domestic animals, and painful boils afflicted the Egyptians. For the seventh plague, thunder, fire and ice combined to form a devastating hail that killed livestock and vegetation throughout Egypt.
Despite seeing these miracles, however, Pharaoh remained proud and unmoved. After Pharaoh still failed to relent, God further "hardened" his heart, setting the stage for the final plagues upon Egypt and the great exodus of Israel from Egypt.
NOTE: This is an abbreviated parashah summary. See the Site Updates for additional commentary.
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