Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts.
11. Then Pharaoh also called. The impiety of the tyrant, which had before lain hid in the recesses of his heart, now breaks forth; when he does not hesitate to enter into the lists with God. For he was sufficiently instructed in the wonderful power of God, had not his iniquity urged him onwards into desperate madness.
Pharaoh demands a miracle not to be convinced but hoping none will come, so he can cloak his unbelief. The rod becomes a serpent to strike terror into him, for God deals with sinners gradually, making them fear before they feel. Yet the magicians' imitation dulls the force of what should have broken his heart.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 7:8-13
Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers,.... The cunning men and wizards, a sort of jugglers and deceivers, who pretended to great knowledge of things, to discover secrets, tell fortunes, and predict things to come, and by legerdemain tricks, and casting a mist before people's eyes, pretended to do very wonderful and amazing things; and therefore Pharaoh sent for these, to exercise...