Originally Posted by ProjectEuropa
I wouldn't describe this event as one of "Moses' vile moods." The Bible is describing God's power as being more potent than Pharoah's magicians' magic: they could imitate a few of the lesser miracles, but then had to drop out of the competition as God's wrath matched Pharoah's stubborness. Also, Aaron's staff became a serpent, not the other way around. Lastly, when Aaron's staff became a serpent, it devoured the serpents of the Egyptian court magicians/shammans.
This stuff exceeds any folk gimmick, even if it was embellished with later re-telling.