תהלים, פרק ע״ח, פסוק מ״ג

The narrative of the Exodus shifts its focus to the devastating plagues that struck the Egyptian empire. At first glance, the account appears to use poetic repetition, expressing a single idea through different terms. In this reading, the signs simply refer to the miracles of God, and the mentioned locations broadly represent the Egyptian territory [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מאירי].

However, a deeper reading reveals a deliberate distinction between the types of miracles and where they occurred. Some plagues functioned primarily as signs. These were preceded by a clear warning from the prophet and were designed to prove the existence and power of God. Because their main purpose was to teach faith and deliver a message, they were directed at Pharaoh and his officials right inside the city of Egypt [אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם].

In contrast, other plagues acted as supernatural wonders that struck without any prior warning. These served as direct punishments after the Egyptians ignored the initial signs. Consequently, these sudden strikes spread far beyond the urban centers, devastating the broader borders and open territory known as the field of Zoan [אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם].

Building on this geographic division, the events can be categorized by their specific physical impact. The plagues that served as signs, such as blood and wild animals, manifested within the cities themselves. Meanwhile, the wonders, like the hail and locusts, ravaged the crops in the fields outside the urban areas. Ultimately, the field of Zoan served as the definitive staging ground to prove that these events were orchestrated by God. The plagues would only cease when Moses stepped entirely outside the city limits and spread his hands in prayer, demonstrating the absolute control of God over the entire land [אלשיך].