The Biblical plagues refer to a series of ten calamities that, according to the Book of Exodus in the Bible, were inflicted upon Egypt to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. These plagues included turning water into blood, swarms of frogs, lice, flies, livestock disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn. Each plague demonstrated a challenge to the Egyptian gods and highlighted the power of the God of Israel. The plagues culminated in the Exodus, where the Israelites fled Egypt under the leadership of Moses. The narrative serves as a foundational story in Judaism and is also significant in Christianity and Islam. The plagues are often interpreted as lessons about faith, justice, and divine intervention in human affairs.