He demands the liberation of his people as the price to be paid for the removal of the plague; receiving a promise from Pharaoh, he utters a prayer ending with "Let there be light." The result is celebrated in a brilliant choral acclamation of the returning sun.

The scene has a parallel in Rossini's opera.

Pharaoh now equivocates; he will free the sons of Jacob, but not the women, children, or chattels.

Moses threatens punishment in the death of all of Egypt's first-born, and immediately solo and chorus voices bewail the new affliction.

When the king hears that his son is dead he gives his consent, and the Israelites depart with an ejaculation of thanks to Jehovah.