1)

Why does the Torah write that "Aharon's staff swallowed the staves of the magicians," and not that 'the snake swallowed their snakes'?

1.

Rashi: Because it was only after all the snakes turned back into staffs, that Aharon's staff swallowed theirs. 1

2.

Seforno: In fact, it was Aharon's snake 2 (which was alive) that swallowed those of the magicians (which were lifeless) - to demonstrate that it is only Hashem who is capable of providing life. 3


1

Rashi (to Shabbos 97a), cited by Gur Aryeh: This is 'a miracle within a miracle.' Hadar Zekenim - Also, it did not become thicker after swallowing them (It is not clear how the Hadar Zekenim knows that!). Pharaoh was afraid that it would also swallow him and his throne!

2

Presumably, the Pasuk refers to the staff of Aharon, because strictly speaking, it was not the snake that belonged to Aharon but the staff - turned snake.

3

And of changing nature. Refer to 7:17:1:1.

2)

Why did the fact that Aharon's staff swallowed their staffs not convince the astrologers of Hashem's superiority?

1.

Oznayim la'Torah: Because they could argue that, had they known that Aharon would command his staff to swallow their staffs, they would have commanded their staffs to swallow his - and that they would have succeeded. 1


1

Gur Aryeh: Pharaoh knew full-well that sorcery could not accomplish this! Refer to 7:13:1.1:1.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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