Bible Commentaries
Exodus 8

Verse 1

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

the LORD = Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 2

frogs . Worshipped as symbol of fecundity.

Verse 3

And . Note the Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) in Exodus 8:3 and Exodus 8:4 . bedchamber. In Palestine beds were mats or couches, and could be moved; but in Egypt there were special bedchambers. These were used later in Palestine (2 Samuel 4:7 ).

kneadingtroughs . These are found in every home; none is complete without them.

Verse 9

Glory over me . Treat this as part of the following question, which requires this to be rendered: "Explain thyself to me: when shall I, "&c.

Verse 10

God . Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .

Verse 11

and . Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) emphasising the items, and marking the completeness of the removal.

Verse 14

upon heaps . Hebrew "heaps, heaps. "Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ) = in many great heaps.

Verse 15

as the LORD had said . Compare Exodus 4:21 .

Verse 16

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

lice . An Egyptian word = mosquito-gnats. Note that this third plague (like the sixth and ninth) falls with- I out warning.

Verse 17

man . Hebrew. 'adam, with art. = mankind.

all the dust . A special various reading called sevir reads "and all", &c. See App-34 . But other codices, with Septuagint, read, "and in all the dust there came to be".

Verse 18

did so . Hebrew Idiom, attempted to do so.

they could not . Not because a question of life, for the frogs had life.

God suffered them to do so in the former cases to show the limits of their power; and, by contrast, to show that His power was unlimited.

Verse 19

finger . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia ( App-6 ). Note, the Egyptians say "God", not Jehovah.

as the LORD had said. Compare Exodus 4:21 , Jehovah, because in connection with His word.

Verse 20

This plague was a severe blow to all idolatrous worship and worshippers. Cleanliness was imperative. For this cause the priests wore linen, and shaved daily. Moreover, it was designed to destroy the worship of Beelzebub, the god of flies, and to manifest his impotence. Compare Exodus 12:12 .

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

lo . Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ) for emphasis.

Verse 21

swarms of flies . Ellipsis supplied. But should not be thus limited. Hebrew root shows that they were mixed: all sorts of insects.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) emphasises the universality of the plague.

Verse 23

a division . Hebrew. padah = redemption. See notes on Exodus 6:6 with Exodus 13:13 . This it is which makes the division between those who are the LORD'S people and those who are not. It is the Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Subject), App-6 , by which the redemption is put for the judgment which was the sign of it. Compare Psalms 111:9 ; Psalms 130:7 .

Verse 24

into . This word, in italics, is a special reading called Sevir. See App-34 .

and. This is omitted in the readings called Sevir. the land. Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint read "and the land".

corrupted = laid waste.

Verse 25

sacrifice . Hebrew. zabah. See App-43 . in the land. Pharaoh's objection to Jehovah's second demand. Note Moses' reply, and the spiritual lesson as to our worship to-day. See note on Exodus 5:1 .

Verse 26

abomination . Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , put for the act of sacrificing cattle, which was abominated by the Egyptians.

shall, &c. Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ).

Verse 27

three . The number of Divine perfection. See App-10 . Jehovah's third demand. See note on Exodus 5:1 . He, &o. Should be "Jehovah hath commanded us. "The Hebrew word, "He said", should be divided differently: the first letter standing as an abbreviation for "Jehovah".

Verse 28

not go very far away. Pharaoh's objection to Jehovah's third demand (Exodus 8:25 ). Note the spiritual lesson as to our worship to-day. See note on Exo 5:28

from. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "and from".

The fifth plague was aimed at all kinds of animal worship. Compare Exodus 12:12 .