Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and it became a serpent. Pharaoh’s wise men and sorcerers did the same with their secret arts, but Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. Even so, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened and he would not listen (Exodus 7:10-13).
This scene follows Moses and Aaron’s renewed commission to confront pharaoh (cf. Exodus 7:1–7). It serves as an opening court contest that introduces the pattern for the plague cycle: instruction, public performance, counter-performance by court experts, and continued royal resistance.
This passage matters because it ties the detail to the larger movement of the book, keeping the answer connected to context rather than isolated wording.
A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.
Start with Exodus 7:10-13, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
10Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, as Yahweh had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
11Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers. They also, the magicians of Egypt, did in like manner with their enchantments.
12For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron`s rod swallowed up their rods.
13Pharaoh`s heart was hardened, and he didn`t listen to them; as Yahweh had spoken.