Exodus 9:3

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 comparatively recent importation into Egypt, and chiefly used in military operations. They are frequently mentioned in the OT. in connexion with Egypt: see e.g. Genesis 47:17; Exodus 14:9; Deuteronomy 17:16 note, Isaiah 31:1.

8-12. The Sixth Plague:—Boils.

This plague affected both man and beast, and, unless we may suppose that the narrative is condensed, was sent without warning.