Exodus 8 - Introduction
CHAP.VIII. _The plague of frogs: of lice: of flies: the land of Goshen is free from them: Pharaoh still hardeneth his heart._ _Before Christ 1491._... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAP.VIII. _The plague of frogs: of lice: of flies: the land of Goshen is free from them: Pharaoh still hardeneth his heart._ _Before Christ 1491._... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, GO UNTO PHARAOH— To render Pharaoh wholly inexcusable, sufficient warning was always given him of every approaching punishment. This plague of frogs, as well as the former, was excellently adapted to subvert the superstitions of Egypt, and to demonstrate the over-ruling po... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE RIVER SHALL BRING FORTH— That is, the river Nile, with all its streams, ponds, lakes, and, in a word, the whole body of waters which proceeded from, and were formed by it alone in Egypt. The Nile was remarkably fruitful of frogs; but a quantity so immense as was produced instantaneously on t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE MAGICIANS DID SO— Here, as before, the grand test of their power would have been to have removed this plague of frogs from the land. But this was beyond the reach of their ability; see the following verses. See also Bochart's Hieroz. part 2: lib. 5 cap. 2 where there is an acute discussion o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MOSES SAID UNTO PHARAOH, GLORY OVER ME— Finding that his magicians could not remove the plague, this haughty tyrant, who had said _I know not Jehovah,_ now requests the ambassadors of this great God to become intercessors for him with their Almighty Master; while he, humbly but fallaciously, pro... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID, TO-MORROW— Nothing could tend more strongly to prove that Jehovah was the sole author of these miraculous punishments, than the permission given to Pharaoh to choose his own time for the removal. Indeed Pharaoh had no sooner fixed upon the time, than Moses leads him to this reflection:... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE OF THE FROGS— Houbigant renders this, _respecting that which be had promised Pharaoh touching the frogs._ The phrase עלאּדבר _ol-debar,_ which we render, properly enough, _because of,_ is, literally, _touching the affair._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY GATHERED THEM TOGETHER UPON HEAPS— This was a sadly convincing proof to the Egyptians that this was no deception, but a true miracle; and that the reptiles thus miraculously brought upon them were real. The ingenious Calmet is of opinion, that the corruption of these frogs occasioned the fo... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES— We observed on Exodus 8:1 that God, in mercy, was pleased to warn Pharaoh of his judgments before they came: but now, he having notoriously falsified his promise, and shewed a disposition which would not be reclaimed, God orders Moses to bring a third plague, without any so... [ Continue Reading ]
_EXODUS 8:17_. A_LL THE DUST OF THE LAND BECAME LICE_— Owen observes, that the earth was another object of the Egyptians' worship, to which they addressed their solemn devotion, and offered the first products of the year, as the donor of their corn, grain and fruit, and the author of their sustenanc... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE MAGICIANS DID SO, &C.— This verse is not accurately translated. The clause at the end manifestly points out its true meaning, _so there were lice upon man, and upon beast;_ indicating to us, what is the true sense of the passage, that the magicians endeavoured not _to bring forth,_ but to _d... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS THE FINGER OF GOD— _The finger of_ A _God,_ as some would have it. This is the immediate power and work of God. See Luke 11:20 compared with Matthew 12:28. 1 Samuel 6:9. Psalms 109:27. REFLECTIONS.— The vilest and most despicable of the creatures, when sent from God, are sufficient to plagu... [ Continue Reading ]
RISE UP EARLY, &C.— See note on ch. Exodus 7:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
SWARMS OF FLIES— A mixture or multitude of noxious creatures: ערב _orab,_ signifies _a mixture_ collected from various species of _little beasts_ or _insects._ Some understand by it _serpents, scorpions,_ and other venomous animals. The margin of our Bibles renders it, _a mixture of noisome beasts._... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL SEVER IN THAT DAY— _I will distinguish,_ &c. See Exodus 8:23. The LXX has it παραδοξασω; a word which, like the Hebrew, implies _a remarkable and glorious distinction._ The cause of God's making such a distinction, as well as working these amazing prodigies, is never forgotten by the sacred w... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LAND WAS CORRUPTED— Le Clerc understands the expression, _the land was corrupted_ of the _flesh_ and other _eatables_ in the land; which, these vermin having preyed upon and fly-blown, bred maggots, stench, and putrefaction. Bochart understands it of the _inhabitants_ of the land. The original w... [ Continue Reading ]
GO YE, SACRIFICE—IN THE LAND— In the 8th verse Pharaoh allows them to sacrifice, without specifying the place: here he confines them to the land of Goshen, to which Moses objects; as the animals they were to sacrifice to the Lord being those which were worshipped by the Egyptians, it would be such a... [ Continue Reading ]
AS HE SHALL COMMAND US— In the LXX, &c. it is, _As he hath commanded us._ See ch. Exodus 3:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE _PARTICULAR_ SPECIES OF ANIMALS IS MEANT, APPEARS EVIDENTLY FROM EXODUS 8:31 WHERE IT IS SAID, _THERE REMAINED NOT ONE._ THE LXX RENDERS IT, BY ΚΥΝΟΜΥΙΑ, THE _DOG-FLY;_ WHICH BOCHART AND OTHERS APPROVE: AND THE RATHER, AS THIS INSECT WAS PARTICULARLY OFFENSIVE TO DOGS; ANIMALS HELD IN RELIGIOUS... [ Continue Reading ]