Moses returns to G-d with his frustrations in attempting to confront Pharaoh. G-d shares the uniqueness of His revelation to Moses, which is of a different nature than His interaction with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. G-d reassures Moses that Israel will be redeemed from Egypt. Moses again complains that he is of "uncircumcised lips". G-d asserts that Aaron will accompany him as a spokesman.

Exodus shares the genealogy of the Levites. Levi had three sons: Gershon, Kehat, and Merari. Amram, the father of Moses, was the son of Kehat. Amram married his father's sister, Yocheved. The laws of Leviticus later prohibited such a marriage. Korah, who would rebel against Moses' leadership, was also a descendant from the line of Kehat. The lineage of Aaron produced Nadav and Avihu, the infamous kohanim of Leviticus.

Moses again protests his inability to speak before Pharaoh. G-d again reassures Moses that Israel will be redeemed. The Torah states that Moses was 80 years old and Aaron was 83 years old when they came before Pharaoh.

The Torah compares and contrasts the ability of the sorcerers of Egypt with that of Moses and Aaron. The sorcerers are able to transform a rod into a snake, just as Aaron does. However, Aaron's rod devours those of the Egyptians. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart is essential to the drama of the story. Jewish thinkers have questioned the "hardening of the heart", as human free will is a basic doctrine of rabbinic Judaism.

The first plague transforms the bodies of water in Egypt to blood. The Egyptians are capable of the same act. Rationalists have often claimed that the "red" color was due to algae in the water. Pharaoh's heart is hardened. He will not let Israel leave.
The second plague brings frogs upon Egypt. Again, the magicians of Egypt are capable of imitating this plague. Pharaoh relents and the frogs die. However, Pharaoh again hardens his heart.

The Egyptians cannot imitate the third plague of gnats. The drama of the story has intensified. The magicians assert that the plague is the "finger of G-d", which signifies their understanding of the plagues has changed. However, Pharaoh's heart is still hardened.

The fourth plague is understood as beetles or animals. This time, Moses and Aaron assert their demand clearly. Israel must be allowed three days to sacrifice in the wilderness. Some scholars assert that this demonstrates that there was already a festival prior to Passover. Again, Pharaoh relents and then changes his mind.

The fifth plague brings cattle disease. The sixth plague is the arrival of boils through the soot of the furnace. The boils overwhelm the magicians of Egypt.

The seventh plague of hail arrives dramatically. This time, Pharaoh's stubborn approach seems to be challenged. "I have sinned this time," he states. Yet again, Pharaoh hardens his heart and reverses his permission.