THE FIFTH, SIXTH, AND SEVENTH PLAGUES 1-7. The Fifth Plague:—Murrain, i.e. cattle plague. Visitations of cattle plague are not uncommon in Egypt. An outbreak in 1842 carried off 40,000 oxen. The miraculous nature of the plague recorded here consisted in its occurring at a set time (Exodus 9:5), an... [ Continue Reading ]
CATTLE] A general term including the species mentioned in this verse. IN THE FIELD] Those that were housed escaped, to suffer afterwards from the plague of hail: see Exodus 9:19; Exodus 9:25. The words in Exodus 9:6, ALL THE CATTLE.. DIED, are to be understood with this limitation. Horses were a com... [ Continue Reading ]
FURNACE] i.e. the brick-kiln. The scattering of the fine ashes upon the wind was probably intended to be symbolic of the spread of the disease.... [ Continue Reading ]
BOIL BREAKING FORTH _with_ BLAINS] An inflamed swelling with pustules. In Deuteronomy 28:27 it is called the 'botch of Egypt.' Certain skin diseases are communicated to man from cattle, and the sixth plague may have been connected in some way with the preceding.... [ Continue Reading ]
COULD NOT STAND BEFORE MOSES] i.e. could not withstand Moses. They were attacked themselves, and could neither imitate nor remove the plague.... [ Continue Reading ]
HARDENED THE HEART OF PHARAOH] see on Exodus 4:21. 13-35. The Seventh Plague:—Hail.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL MY PLAGUES] Pharaoh must not think that God has exhausted His means. There are others which will prove sufficient for His purpose. 15, 16. Better with RV, 'For now I had put forth my hand, and smitten thee.. and thou hadst been cut off.. but in very deed for this cause have I made thee to stand... [ Continue Reading ]
VERY GRIEVOUS HAIL] Hail and thunderstorms are not unknown in Egypt, but are rare and seldom dangerous. SINCE THE FOUNDATION THEREOF] i.e. since it was inhabited: cp. Exodus 9:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
Some of the Egyptians, at all events, had been impressed with the previous plagues, and had come to believe the predictions of Moses.... [ Continue Reading ]
FIRE RAN ALONG UPON THE GROUND] RV 'ran down unto the earth.' Hailstorms are frequently accompanied with electrical disturbances.... [ Continue Reading ]
BRAKE EVERY TREE] Broke the bough so that, in the case of fruit trees, there could be no prospect of fruit.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SINNED THIS TIME] I acknowledge this time that I have sinned.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR _it is_ ENOUGH] RV 'for there hath been enough.'... [ Continue Reading ]
FLAX] Largely grown for making linen which was worn by the priests, and used, among other purposes, for swathing mummies. The word rendered boiled, i.e. podded, is explained in RM as meaning 'was in bloom.' It means, rather, 'was in bud.' Flax flowers as a rule in February, and barley comes into ear... [ Continue Reading ]