The answer is: Aaron's rod swallowed them

Exo 7:8-13

In the grand narrative of Exodus, Aaron’s rod turning into a serpent is a powerful spectacle that underscores a couple of amazing themes: divine authority versus human trickery and the heart’s stubbornness. When Aaron threw down his rod and it transformed into a serpent, it wasn't just a neat party trick; it was a sign meant to capture Pharaoh’s attention and demonstrate the power of the God of Israel in a spectacular way.

Pharaoh, not to be outdone, summoned his magicians to replicate this miracle. Can you imagine those magicians: outwitting courtiers, with their hocus-pocus? While they could mimic Aaron, their result is a great reminder of the limitations of human capabilities. Church tradition sometimes highlights the magician’s tricks as sleight-of-hand, but let's be real—real magicians are tough to come by, even in Pharaoh’s court!

The climax of this showdown is still riveting; Aaron's serpent consumes their serpents. This act wasn’t just about defeating Pharaoh's pride; it signifies a pressing point: Divine authority looms larger than any human duplicity or false power. In ancient Egypt, serpents symbolized power and divinity, a clever nod by God to emphasize His unmatched supremacy.

This story paints Egypt's spiritual landscape where powers routinely battled, echoing throughout scattering stories across the Bible about claiming divine authority. The lesson? No matter how impressive humanity organizes itself against the divine, it all ultimately pales in comparison to the overarching power from above.