A significant victory witnessed by all the cities, marking the first setback for the Pharaoh. Now, one might ask, what brought the people of Israel to the Pharao of Egypt? It goes back to the time of Prophets Jacob and Joseph (PBUT). When Prophet Jacob (PBUH), who is the father of the children of Israel, came to Egypt to join Prophet Joseph (PBUH), they settled and multiplied and thus became the people of Israel residing in Egypt. Israel is the name of Prophet Jacob (PBUH).

It is noteworthy that in the Holy Quran, when talking about the ruler of Egypt during the days of Prophet Joseph (PBUH), it does not say (Pharaoh); instead, it uses the term (the king):

 وَقَالَ الْمَلِكُ ائْتُونِي بِهِ أَسْتَخْلِصْهُ لِنَفْسِي 

(And the king said, “Bring him to me; I will appoint him exclusively for myself.”) (Yusuf: 54)

This reference puzzled many until Napoleon came to Egypt and discovered the Rosetta Stone. He found that during the time of Prophet Joseph (PBUH), the Hyksos were the rulers of Egypt, not Pharaohs. The Hyksos had kings; they were no Pharaohs. Afterward, the Pharaohs came and expelled the Hyksos, subjecting the people of Israel to harsh treatment because they had supported the Hyksos. This historical context is essential to understand the narrative of Prophet Moses (PBUH) and why he came to liberate the people of Israel from the oppression of the Pharaohs.

( وَانقَلَبُوا صَاغِرِينَ ) (there and became debased): They were left in a state of subjugation and humiliation.