PHARAOH - This king, probably Tothmosis II, the great grandson of Aahmes Exodus 1:8, the original persecutor of the Israelites, must have been resident at this time in a city, probably Tanis Exodus 2:5, of Lower Egypt, situated on the Nile. THE LORD GOD - Yahweh God of Israel demanded the services... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW NOT THE LORD - Either Pharaoh had not heard of Yahweh, or he did not recognize Him as a God.... [ Continue Reading ]
THREE DAYS’ JOURNEY - See the Exodus 3:18 note. WITH PESTILENCE, OR WITH THE SWORD - This shows that the plague was well known to the ancient Egyptians. The reference to the sword is equally natural, since the Israelites occupied the eastern district, which was frequently disturbed by the neighbori... [ Continue Reading ]
LET - i. e. hinder.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR OFFICERS - Or scribes. Hebrews able to keep accounts in writing, appointed by the Egyptian superintendents, and responsible to them for the work; see Exodus 5:14. Subordinate officers are frequently represented on Egyptian monuments, giving in written accounts to their immediate superiors.... [ Continue Reading ]
Some of the most ancient buildings in Egypt were constructed of bricks not burned, but dried in the sun; they were made of clay, or more commonly of mud, mixed with straw chopped into small pieces. An immense quantity of straw must have been wanted for the works on which the Israelites were engaged,... [ Continue Reading ]
STUBBLE INSTEAD OF STRAW - Rather, for the straw: i. e. to be prepared as straw. This marks the season of the year, namely, early spring, after the barley or wheat harvest, toward the end of April. Their suffering must have been severe: at that season the pestilential sand-wind blows over Egypt some... [ Continue Reading ]
YE ARE IDLE - The old Egyptian language abounds in epithets which show contempt for idleness. The charge was equally offensive and ingenious; one which would be readily believed by Egyptians who knew how much public and private labors were impeded by festivals and other religious ceremonies. Among t... [ Continue Reading ]
The earnestness of this remonstrance, and even its approach to irreverence, are quite in keeping with other notices of Moses’ naturally impetuous character. See Exodus 3:13.... [ Continue Reading ]