Creeping Death - Biblical References

Biblical References

The song is being told from the point of view of Moses, the leader of the Hebrews in Egypt and also mentioned dialogues he has with God. Throughout the song, some of the ten plagues are mentioned, all from the story of the "Hagada", The Passover exodus. Moses repeatedly demanded from Pharaoh to set the Hebrew slaves free from Egypt, famously known as "Let my people go" and insisted he was sent by God, to the promised land ("Land of Goshen"), which wouldn't be affected by the plague (Exodus 8:22-23). To prove his point and persuade Pharaoh as Pharaoh refused to do, Moses, guided by God, laid ten strikes on the Egyptians. The ten strikes:

• To kill the first born Pharaoh's son: The tenth and most severe strike — The God of Israel killed every firstborn Egyptian that was a boy (In reference to the Pharaoh's order to throw every Hebrew firstborn into the Nile). One such child was the Pharaoh's firstborn
• I will be with thee, bush of fire: Refers to God speaking to Moses through a burning bush.
• Blood, Running red and strong, down the Nile: The first of the ten plagues, water of the Nile turned to blood
• Plague: This line refers to any of the ten plagues
• Darkness three days long: The ninth of the ten, the sun was blocked for three days
• Hail to fire: The seventh of the ten, burning hail fell from the sky
• Blood, lamb's blood painted door; I shall pass: Passover; the night God slew the firstborns of Egyptian families. The Hebrews were warned earlier by Moses to paint the doorpost with lamb blood so God would pass over their houses and not kill their sons (this is actually why the holiday is called Passover).