Is "Reishis Onim" different than "Bechor"?
Radak (105:36): No. The matter is repeated in different words.
Malbim: Yes. Bechor is the oldest in the house; Reishis Onam is the one born from the first drop of semen. The oldest in the house was killed only in Egypt, whether he was born to an Egyptian or to another nation. Reishis Onam were killed only from Egyptians, but even if he was living outside Egypt. And so Chazal said, that Mitzri firstborns were killed even elsewhere, and firstborns of other nations dwelling in Egypt were killed.
Why does it say "b'Ahalei Cham"?
Radak: It mentions Cham, Egypt's father, for detriment 1 .
Malbim: Cham is the source from which Egypt came (his father). It teaches that Mitzri firstborns were killed even if they were living in Kush, Fut or Kena'an (lands of other sons of Cham 2 ).
Cham sinned when his father was drunk (he sodomized or castrated him), which caused his son to be cursed, and he transgressed the Isur of Bi'ah during the flood. (PF)
Above, Malbim said that they were killed no matter where they were. Perhaps all those who lived elsewhere were in the land of a brother of Egypt. (PF)
Why are only seven of the Makos mentioned?
Radak (49): Verse 49 hints to the Makos not mentioned here.
Malbim (44): Lice, boils and darkness are omitted, for they were not for Osos, like the other Makos. In the first set of Makos, it says "Seda Ki Ani Hashem" (Shemos 6:7). In the second, it says "Ki Ani Hashem b'Kerev ha'Aretz" (ibid., 8:18) In the third, it says "Ki Ani Kamoni b'Chol ha'Aretz" (ibid., 9:14). There was warning before all the others, but not before these three. They were not to teach, rather, to strike disgracefully for not listening 1 .
We find that Pharaoh's servants said to send Yisrael before Makas Arbeh. Why were all Egyptians stricken in darkness? Were they liable for not trying to overthrow Pharaoh?
