Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 11:4

"And Moses said, Thus saith Jehovah, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:" — Exodus 11:4 (ASV)

And Moses said. —In continuation of the speech recorded in Exodus 10:29, face to face with Pharaoh, Moses makes his last appeal—utters his last threats. Pharaoh has told him see his face no more (Exodus 10:28), and he has accepted the warning, and declared, I will see thy face again no more (Exodus 10:29). It is the last interview—the last interchange of speech. Moses had to deliver a message.

Hardened as his heart is, Pharaoh is still to be allowed “a place for repentance.” God announces to him, through Moses, the coming destruction of the firstborn—emphasizes the terrible nature of the impending calamity by the announcement that throughout all Egypt there would be a great cry—contrasts their despair with the absolute immunity of the Israelites—and finally warns Pharaoh that he and his people will soon urge the departure that they now refuse to permit.

If Pharaoh had even then relented, it was not too late—the great blows might have been escaped: the death of the firstborn and the destruction of the armed force in the Red Sea. But he had “hardened himself,” and then “been hardened,” until, practically, the time for relenting had passed. He remained obdurate, and would not let the children of Israel go out of his land (Exodus 11:10).

About midnight. —The particular night was not specified; and the torment of suspense was thus added to the pain of an unceasing fear. But the dreadful visitation was to come at the most dreaded hour of the twenty-four—midnight. This much was placed beyond doubt.