A VERY GRIEVOUS MURRAIN - Or “pestilence;” but the word “murrain,” i. e. “a great mortality,” exactly expresses the meaning. This terrible visitation struck far more severely than the preceding, which had caused distress and suffering; it attacked the resources of the nation. THE CAMELS - These ani... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE CATTLE - i. e. which were left in the field; compare Exodus 9:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS HARDENED - See Exodus 4:21. Pharaoh probably attributed the exemption of the Israelites to natural causes. They were a pastoral race, well acquainted with all that pertained to the care of cattle; and dwelling in a healthy district probably far more than the rest of Lower Egypt.... [ Continue Reading ]
This marks a distinct advance and change in the character of the visitations. Hitherto, the Egyptians had not been attacked directly in their persons. It is the second plague which was not preceded by a demand and warning, probably on account of the special hardness shown by Pharaoh in reference to... [ Continue Reading ]
A BOIL - Means probably a burning tumor or carbuncle breaking out in pustulous ulcers. The miracle consisting in the severity of the plague and its direct connection with the act of Moses.... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse seems to imply that the magicians now formally gave way and confessed their defeat.... [ Continue Reading ]
With the plague of hail begins the last series of plagues, which differ from the former both in their severity and their effects. Each produced a temporary, but real, change in Pharaoh’s feelings. Exodus 9:14 ALL MY PLAGUES - This applies to all the plagues which follow; the effect of each was fore... [ Continue Reading ]
HARDENED - Different words in the Hebrew. In Exodus 9:34 the word means “made heavy,” i. e. obtuse, incapable of forming a right judgment; in Exodus 9:35 it is stronger, and implies a stubborn resolution.... [ Continue Reading ]