THE LOCUSTS - The locust is less common in Egypt than in many eastern
countries, yet it is well known, and dreaded as the most terrible of
scourges. They come generally from the western deserts, but sometimes
from the east and the southeast. No less than nine names are given to
the locust in the Bib... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FACE - Literally, cover “the eye of the earth,” alluding to
the darkness which follows, when the whole atmosphere is filled on all
sides and to a great height by an innumerable quantity of these
insects.
SHALL EAT EVERY TREE - Not only the leaves, but the branches and even
the wood were attacke... [ Continue Reading ]
FILL THY HOUSES - The terraces, courts, and even the inner apartments
are said to be filled in a moment by a locust storm. Compare Joel 2:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
For the first time the officers of Pharaoh intervene before the
scourge is inflicted, showing at once their belief in the threat, and
their special terror of the infliction. Also, for the first time,
Pharaoh takes measures to prevent the evil; he does not indeed send
for Moses and Aaron, but he perm... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH OUR YOUNG ... - The demand was not contrary to Egyptian usage, as
great festivals were kept by the whole population.... [ Continue Reading ]
EVIL IS BEFORE YOU - i. e. “your intentions are evil.” Great as
the possible infliction might be, Pharaoh held it to be a less evil
than the loss of so large a population.... [ Continue Reading ]
AN EAST WIND - See Exodus 10:4. Moses is careful to record the natural
and usual cause of the evil, portentous as it was both in extent and
in connection with its denouncement.... [ Continue Reading ]
WENT UP - At a distance the locusts appear hanging, as it were, like a
heavy cloud over the land; as they approach they seem to rise, and
they fill the atmosphere overhead upon their arrival.
OVER ALL THE LAND - Travelers mention a cloud of locusts extending
over 500 miles, and so compact while on... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS DEATH ONLY - Pliny calls locusts a pestilence brought on by
divine wrath. Pharaoh now recognizes the justice of his servants’
apprehensions, Exodus 10:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
WEST WIND - Literally, “a sea wind,” a wind blowing from the sea
on the northwest of Egypt.
RED SEA - The Hebrew has the “Sea of Suph”: the exact meaning of
which is disputed. Gesenius renders it “rush” or “seaweed;”
but it is probably an Egyptian word. A sea-weed resembling wood is
thrown up abund... [ Continue Reading ]
DARKNESS - This infliction was specially calculated to affect the
spirits of the Egyptians, whose chief object of worship was the
Sun-god; and its suddenness and severity in connection with the act of
Moses mark it as a preternatural withdrawal of light. Yet, it has an
analogy in physical phenomena.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAD LIGHT IN THEIR DWELLINGS - The sandstorm, if such were the cause,
may not have extended to the district of Goshen; but the expression
clearly denotes a miraculous intervention, whether accomplished or not
by natural agencies.... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUR FLOCKS AND YOUR HERDS - Pharaoh still exacts what would of course
be a complete security for their return: but the demand was wholly
incompatible with the object assigned for the journey into the
wilderness.... [ Continue Reading ]