God announces the final plague to Moses while Moses is still standing before Pharaoh after the ninth. One more plague — after this, Pharaoh will not merely let Israel go, he will drive them out entirely.
Moses tells Pharaoh: at midnight God will pass through Egypt. Every firstborn will die — from the firstborn of Pharaoh on the throne to the firstborn of the servant behind the mill, to the firstborn of all the livestock. A great cry will go up across Egypt the like of which has never been heard and never will be again.
But against any of the children of Israel — not even a dog will bark. Then you will know that God has made a distinction between Egypt and Israel.
At midnight it happens exactly as spoken. Every firstborn in Egypt dies — Pharaoh's son, the prisoner's son, every firstborn of every animal. A great cry goes up throughout Egypt. There is not a house without death.
Pharaoh rises in the night — he, all his servants, all of Egypt. He summons Moses and Aaron: rise up, go out from among my people. Go and serve God as you said. Take your flocks, your herds, and go. And bless me also.
After four hundred and thirty years, Israel leaves Egypt.
