Purpose of the Plagues: The purpose of the ten plagues in the Book of Exodus is to make known that Israel's God is the True God and reigns over all people. The ten plagues are a direct attack against the Egyptian gods.
1. Water turning into blood (Ex 7:14-24): As Aaron, the spokesman for Moses, touched the "rod" of the Lord to the Nile River it immediately turned to blood, all the fish died, and the river stank. This plague was probably against the Egyptian god of Nile - Hapi, who was a water bearer.
2. Frogs (Ex 8:1-15): The frogs came up from the river and were in their houses, in their food, in their clothing, in every place possible. This plague was probably against the Egyptian goddess of fertility - Heket who had the head of a frog.3. Gnats (Ex 8:16-19): At the command of the Lord to Moses, Aaron was told to stretch forth his rod and smite the dust of the earth. When he did the dust became lice throughout all the land, on both people and beasts. This plague was probably against the Egyptian god of the earth - Geb who was over the dust of the earth.
4. Flies (Ex 8:20-32): The Egyptians were plagued by the flies. This plague was probably against the Egyptian god of creation - Khepri who had the head of a fly.
5. Death of Livestock (Ex 9:1-7): This plague affected the Egyptian by creating a huge economic disaster, in areas of food, transportation, military supplies, farming, and economic goods that were produced by these livestock. This plague was probably against the Egyptian goddess - Hathor who had the head of a cow.
6. Boils and Sores (Ex 9:8-12): The people and animals were affected by boils. This plague was probably against the Egyptian goddess of Medicine - Isis
7. Hail (Ex 9:13-35): Hail rained down from the sky and destroyed the crops. This plague was probably against the Egyptian goddess of sky - Nut.
8. Locusts (Ex 10:1-20): Whatever crops were left in tact after the destruction by Hail, were now completely consumed by the swarms of locusts that were unleashed from the sky. This plague was probably against the Egyptian god of storms and disorder - Seth
9. Darkness (Ex 10:21-29): Darkness fell upon Egypt. This plague was probably against the Egyptian sun god - Ra
10. Death of the Firstborn (Ex 11:1-10): Pharaoh the King of Egypt was considered to be the greatest Egyptian god of all.