Bible Commentaries
Exodus 7

Verse 1

the LORD (Hebrew. Jehovah. said. See note on Exodus 3:7 , and compare note on Exodus 6:10 .

made = given (as in Ephesians 4:11 ) as such.

god . i.e. in God's stead. Elohim = one appointed by oath. Elohim is thus used of those so given and appointed. Psalms 82:1 , Psalms 82:6 . John 10:34 , John 10:35 .

prophet . See on Exodus 4:16 .

Verse 2

children = sons.

Verse 3

harden . See note on Exodus 4:2 .

Verse 4

armies = hosts.

and . No "and" required.

Verse 5

shall know : i.e. by a great experience. That was the great object of all these ten plagues; as it will be in the coming day of the judgments described in the Apocalypse. Revelation 16:5-7 .

Verse 6

as = according as.

Verse 7

Pharaoh . See App-37 .

Verse 8

the LORD (Hebrew. Jehovah. spake. See note on Exodus 6:10 , and compare note on Exodus 3:7 .

Verse 9

Shew a miracle for you = show us a sign.

serpent . Hebrew. thaunin = a crocodile.

Verse 10

as = according as.

Pharaoh . Hebrew "the face of Pharaoh". Figure of speech Pleonasm. App-6 .

Verse 11

wise men , &c. Two sets of men mentioned. Pharaoh "called for the wise men, and for the magi cians-and these also (the sacred scribes of Egypt) did in like manner with their secret arts". Two of these named by the Holy Spirit in 2 Timothy 3:8 , "Jannes and Jambres".

Verse 12

man . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

rod . Figure of speech Ampliatio ( App-6 ). The rod still called a rod, though it had become a serpent.

swallowed up : and thus inflicted the first blow on the gods of Egypt. See note on Exodus 7:20 .

Verse 13

He hardened. The Hebrew here is "Pharaoh's heart was hardened". See on Exodus 4:21 .

as = according as.

It will be noticed that the number nine is connected with judgment (see App-10 ), and that the third plague of each three is without warning. To make the sym metry complete, Aaron was used in the infliction of the first three, and Moses of the last three.

Verse 14

the LORD said. See note on Exodus 3:7 with Exodus 6:10 . hardened. See note on Exodus 4:2 .

Verse 15

serpent . Hebrew. nachash. See note on Genesis 3:1 , and App-19 .

Verse 16

God . Hebrew. Elohim . App-6 .

Verse 17

Thus saith the LORD . See note on Exodus 4:22 .

river . Probably the Nile canals.

Verse 19

the LORD spake . See note on Exodus 6:10 , and compare note on Exodus 3:7 .

streams = canals.

rivers = the seven streams of the Delta.

ponds = lakes where reeds grew.

pools = reservoirs.

vessels of wood , &c. Genitive of material. Figure of speech Metony my (of Cause). App-6 . Hebrew "woods and stones", put for [channels] made of wood [and canals] made of stone.

Verse 20

river . This first plague was directed against the Nile, an object of worship, which was thus polluted, and became a means of pollution to the people. Compare Exodus 12:12 .

Verse 21

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton in verses: Exodus 7:20 , Exodus 7:21 .

Verse 22

magicians . . . did so . Evidently from the water referred to in Exodus 7:24 .

hardened . See note on Exodus 4:2 .

Verse 24

round about : i.e. on either side of.