For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the L-RD.
Exodus 12:12
Now I know that the L-RD is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people
Exodus 18:11
What is the pronoun antecedent for “they” in 18:11?
Pronoun antecedent: the word preceding a pronoun to which the pronoun refers.
Look closely at the verse.
It’s not “the Egyptians” who dealt arrogantly per this particular text.
Rather it is “the gods”.
The spiritual rulers of the Egyptians were those about whom Jethro/Reuel was speaking.
It was ultimately the principalities and powers against whom Adonai was fighting, per 12:12 as well (Ephesians 6:12).
Though real Mizraimites died in the Reed Sea/Red Sea, and though they were indeed affected by the plagues, it was the spiritual enemy that was the primary source of Father’s contempt.
I think this is neat.