The answer is: Aaron's rod swallowed them

Exo 7:8-13

This dramatic showdown between Aaron and Pharaoh's magicians showcases the power struggle between divine authority and human wizardry. Aaron's rod, transformed into a serpent, not only represented God's might but also symbolized His transformative capabilities. When Aaron's serpent swallowed the magicians' serpents, it wasn’t just a display of power; it foreshadowed the ultimate triumph of divine truth over earthly deception.

Interestingly, in Egyptian culture, snakes often symbolized royalty and divinity, epitomized by deities like Wadjet, the cobra goddess, who protected the Pharaoh. Thus, when Aaron’s serpent devours the others, it wasn’t just about magic contests; it was a stunning statement: God's supremacy trumps even the highest natural or magical Egyptian powers!

Consider, too, in later scripture, serpents frequently signal change or renewal through trials—much like the Israelites' eventual path forward from their Egyptian bondage. Numbers 21:9, where Moses makes a bronze serpent, echoes this earlier miracle, an acknowledgment of past struggles leading to healing.

Pharaoh's initial mockery reacts with stern disbelief—how many times do we miss the divine in the ordinary? The continual refusal of Pharaoh to heed these signs underlines a tireless enlightenment that even undeniable miracles can be brushed aside by stubborn hearts. What occasions in our own lives call for humble openness to awareness of greater truths? These narratives offer wise reflections worth pondering.