Bible Commentaries
Exodus 9

Introduction

Overview

Exodus 9:1, The murrain of beasts; Exodus 9:8, The plague of boils and blains; Exodus 9:13, The message of Moses about the hail; Exodus 9:22, The plague of hail; Exodus 9:27, Pharaoh sues to Moses, but yet is hardened.

Verse 1

Exodus 9:13, Exodus 3:18, Exodus 4:22, Exodus 4:23, Exodus 5:1, Exodus 8:1, Exodus 8:20, Exodus 10:3

Reciprocal: Exodus 7:16 - The Lord 2 Corinthians 11:22 - Hebrews

Verse 2

Exodus 4:23, Exodus 8:2, Exodus 10:4, Leviticus 26:14-16, Leviticus 26:23, Leviticus 26:24, Leviticus 26:27, Leviticus 26:28, Psalms 7:11, Psalms 7:12, Psalms 68:21, Isaiah 1:20, Romans 2:8, Revelation 2:21, Revelation 2:22, Revelation 16:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:5 - Peradventure Exodus 7:14 - he refuseth Job 20:10 - his hands Jeremiah 50:33 - they refused

Verse 3

the hand: Exodus 7:4, Exodus 8:19, 1 Samuel 5:6-11, 1 Samuel 6:9, Acts 13:11

murrain: We may observe a particular scope and meaning in this calamity, if we consider it in regard to the Egyptians, which would not have existed in respect to any other people. They held in idolatrous reverence almost every animal, but some they held in particular veneration; as the ox, cow, and ram. Among these, Apis and Mnevis are well known; the former being a sacred bull, worshipped at Memphis, as the latter was at Heliopolis. A cow or heifer had the like honours at Momemphis; and the same practice seems to have been adopted in most of the Egyptian nomes. By the infliction of this judgment, the Egyptian deities sank before the God of the Hebrews. See Bryant, pp. 87-93. Exodus 5:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:6 - cattle Genesis 47:17 - for horses Exodus 8:26 - the abomination Exodus 9:15 - stretch Psalms 78:50 - life over to the pestilence Psalms 107:38 - suffereth Jeremiah 50:33 - they refused Amos 4:10 - pestilence

Verse 4

Exodus 8:22, Exodus 10:23, Exodus 12:13, Isaiah 65:13, Isaiah 65:14, Malachi 3:18

Reciprocal: Exodus 9:26 - General Amos 4:7 - and I Revelation 7:3 - till

Verse 5

a set time: Exodus 9:18, Exodus 8:23, Exodus 10:4, Numbers 16:5, Job 24:1, Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, Jeremiah 28:16, Jeremiah 28:17, Matthew 27:63, Matthew 27:64

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 7:1 - To morrow

Verse 6

Exodus 9:19, Exodus 9:25, Psalms 78:48, Psalms 78:50

Reciprocal: Exodus 8:22 - sever Exodus 9:15 - stretch Exodus 9:26 - General 2 Kings 7:1 - To morrow

Verse 7

the heart: Exodus 9:12, Exodus 7:14, Exodus 8:32, Job 9:4, Proverbs 29:1, Isaiah 48:4, Daniel 5:20, Romans 9:18

Verse 8

Take to: This was a significant command; not only referring to the fiery furnace, which was a type of the slavery of the Israelites, but to a cruel rite common among the Egyptians. They had several cities styled Typhonian, in which at particular seasons they sacrificed men, who were burnt alive; and the ashes of the victim were scattered upwards in the air, with the view, probably, that where any atom of dust was carried, a blessing was entailed. The like, therefore, was done by Moses, though with a different intention, and more certain effect. See Bryant, pp. 93-106. Exodus 8:16

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 10:2 - coals Revelation 16:2 - a noisome

Verse 9

a boil: Leviticus 13:18-20, Deuteronomy 28:27, Deuteronomy 28:35, Job 2:7, Revelation 16:2

Verse 10

a boil: Deuteronomy 28:27

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:6 - cattle Exodus 15:26 - diseases

Verse 11

Exodus 7:11, Exodus 7:12, Exodus 8:18, Exodus 8:19, Isaiah 47:12-14, 2 Timothy 3:8, 2 Timothy 3:9, Revelation 16:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:8 - the magicians of Egypt Exodus 15:26 - diseases Deuteronomy 7:15 - will put none Deuteronomy 9:2 - Who can stand Deuteronomy 28:27 - the botch Isaiah 44:25 - maketh Micah 3:7 - the seers Acts 8:9 - used Revelation 13:13 - he doeth

Verse 12

Exodus 4:21, Exodus 7:13, Exodus 7:14, Psalms 81:11, Psalms 81:12, Revelation 16:10, Revelation 16:11, Hardness of heart is a figurative expression, denoting that insensibility of mind upon which neither judgments nor mercies make any abiding impressions; but the conscience being stupefied, the obdurate rebel persists in determined disobedience.

Reciprocal: Exodus 9:7 - the heart Exodus 10:20 - General Psalms 69:27 - Add Amos 4:10 - yet

Verse 13

Exodus 9:1, Exodus 7:15, Exodus 8:20

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:18 - The Lord Exodus 7:16 - The Lord 1 Chronicles 16:21 - he reproved 2 Corinthians 11:22 - Hebrews

Verse 14

send all: Leviticus 26:18, Leviticus 26:21, Leviticus 26:28, Deuteronomy 28:15-17, Deuteronomy 28:59-61, Deuteronomy 29:20-22, Deuteronomy 32:39-42, 1 Samuel 4:8, 1 Kings 8:38, Jeremiah 19:8, Micah 6:13, Revelation 18:8, Revelation 22:18

that thou: Exodus 8:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:25 - God Exodus 11:1 - Yet will 2 Samuel 22:28 - but thine 2 Kings 24:20 - through Job 9:4 - who hath hardened Job 27:22 - For God Isaiah 26:11 - they shall Isaiah 40:18 - General Jeremiah 4:10 - the sword Jeremiah 10:6 - there Jeremiah 16:21 - I will this Ezekiel 29:6 - know Ezekiel 35:4 - and thou Daniel 4:32 - until Daniel 5:21 - his heart was made like John 19:11 - Thou

Verse 15

stretch: Exodus 9:3, Exodus 9:6, Exodus 9:16, Exodus 3:20

that: Exodus 11:4-6, Exodus 12:29, Exodus 12:30

cut off: Exodus 14:28, 1 Kings 13:34, Proverbs 2:22

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 4:11 - from 1 Kings 8:42 - thy strong hand 2 Kings 17:36 - a stretched 2 Kings 19:19 - O Lord Isaiah 37:20 - that all Jeremiah 21:5 - with an

Verse 16

deed: Exodus 14:17, Psalms 83:17, Psalms 83:18, Proverbs 16:4, Romans 9:17, Romans 9:22, 1 Peter 2:8, 1 Peter 2:19, Jude 1:4

raised thee up: Heb. made thee stand

for to: Exodus 14:4, Exodus 15:11-16, Exodus 18:11, Joshua 2:10, Joshua 2:11, 1 Samuel 4:8, Psalms 136:10-15

that my: 1 Chronicles 16:24, Psalms 64:9, Psalms 83:17, Psalms 83:18, Isaiah 63:12-14, Malachi 1:11, Malachi 1:14, Romans 9:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 7:3 - multiply Exodus 9:15 - stretch Exodus 10:1 - that I Exodus 15:7 - the greatness Numbers 23:22 - God Joshua 4:24 - all the people Joshua 9:9 - we have Joshua 11:20 - it was Judges 3:12 - and the Lord 1 Samuel 6:6 - the Egyptians 1 Samuel 17:46 - all the earth 2 Samuel 7:23 - make him 2 Samuel 17:14 - the Lord 2 Kings 19:19 - O Lord 2 Chronicles 25:16 - determined Nehemiah 9:10 - didst Job 40:11 - behold Psalms 76:10 - Surely Psalms 105:25 - He turned Psalms 106:8 - that he Isaiah 33:5 - The Lord Isaiah 37:20 - that all Isaiah 41:20 - General Isaiah 45:9 - unto him Isaiah 54:16 - I have Jeremiah 32:20 - and hast Ezekiel 28:14 - and I Ezekiel 28:22 - I will Ezekiel 31:9 - made Ezekiel 39:21 - I will set Daniel 4:17 - the basest Daniel 9:15 - and hast John 17:6 - have manifested Romans 8:39 - height 2 Corinthians 10:5 - and every 1 Thessalonians 5:9 - not Revelation 6:4 - power Revelation 13:7 - and power

Verse 17

Job 9:4, Job 15:25, Job 15:26, Job 40:9, Isaiah 10:15, Isaiah 26:11, Isaiah 37:23, Isaiah 37:24, Isaiah 37:29, Isaiah 45:9, Acts 12:23, 1 Corinthians 10:22

Reciprocal: Exodus 10:3 - How long Exodus 18:11 - proudly 1 Kings 1:5 - exalted 2 Kings 19:22 - exalted thy voice 2 Chronicles 36:13 - hardened Nehemiah 9:10 - they Job 40:11 - behold Psalms 10:2 - The wicked Psalms 76:10 - Surely Isaiah 5:15 - the eyes Isaiah 33:5 - The Lord Isaiah 57:4 - Against Jeremiah 43:2 - all the Jeremiah 44:10 - are not Jeremiah 48:26 - for he Jeremiah 50:33 - they refused Ezekiel 28:6 - Because Daniel 5:20 - when Amos 4:10 - yet Zephaniah 2:10 - and magnified Romans 8:39 - height 2 Corinthians 10:5 - and every Revelation 6:4 - power

Verse 18

to morrow: 1 Kings 19:2, 1 Kings 20:6, 2 Kings 7:1, 2 Kings 7:18

I will cause: This must have been a circumstance of all others the most incredible to an Egyptian; for in Egypt there fell no rain, the want of which was supplied by dews, and the overflowing of the Nile. The Egyptians must, therefore, have perceived themselves particularly aimed at in these fearful events, especially as they were very superstitious. There seems likewise a propriety in their being punished by fire and water, as they were guilty of the grossest idolatry towards these elements. Scarcely anything could have distressed the Egyptians more than the destruction of the flax, as the whole nation wore linen garments. The ruin of their barley was equally fatal, both to their trade and to their private advantage. See Bryant, pp. 108-117. Exodus 9:22-25, Psalms 83:15

Reciprocal: Exodus 9:5 - a set time Exodus 10:4 - morrow 1 Samuel 28:19 - and to morrow 1 Kings 13:5 - General Job 37:13 - whether Job 38:23 - General Psalms 78:47 - with hail Psalms 105:32 - them hail for rain Isaiah 28:17 - and the hail Isaiah 32:19 - it shall Jeremiah 50:33 - they refused Ezekiel 13:13 - and great Jonah 3:5 - believed Haggai 2:17 - with hail Hebrews 11:7 - warned Revelation 11:19 - and great

Verse 19

and gather: Habakkuk 3:2

the hail: Exodus 9:25

Reciprocal: Exodus 9:6 - General Isaiah 28:17 - and the hail Ezekiel 33:5 - But

Verse 20

Proverbs 16:16, Proverbs 22:3, Proverbs 22:23, Jonah 3:5, Jonah 3:6, Mark 13:14-16, Hebrews 11:7

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 4:34 - temptations 2 Kings 6:10 - sent to the place Proverbs 27:12 - General Habakkuk 3:2 - I have Matthew 24:16 - General Luke 21:21 - flee Acts 27:11 - believed

Verse 21

regarded not: Heb. set not his heart unto, Exodus 7:23, 1 Samuel 4:20, *marg. 1 Chronicles 22:19, Job 7:17, Job 34:14, Proverbs 24:32, *marg. Ezekiel 40:4, Daniel 10:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:14 - as one Genesis 47:6 - cattle Deuteronomy 4:34 - temptations 2 Kings 6:10 - sent to the place 2 Chronicles 11:16 - set Proverbs 22:3 - prudent Proverbs 27:12 - General Ezekiel 44:5 - mark well Habakkuk 3:2 - I have Haggai 1:5 - Consider your ways Matthew 24:16 - General Luke 21:21 - flee Acts 27:11 - believed

Verse 22

Exodus 7:19, Exodus 8:5, Exodus 8:16, Revelation 16:21

Reciprocal: Exodus 9:18 - I will cause Exodus 10:21 - Stretch Joshua 10:11 - the Lord Ezekiel 38:22 - an overflowing

Verse 23

the Lord sent: Exodus 19:16, Exodus 20:18, 1 Samuel 12:17, 1 Samuel 12:18, Job 37:1-5, Psalms 29:3, Psalms 77:18, Revelation 16:18, Revelation 16:21

and hail: Joshua 10:11, Job 38:22, Job 38:23, Psalms 18:13, Psalms 78:47, Psalms 78:48, Psalms 105:32, Psalms 105:33, Psalms 148:8, Isaiah 30:30, Ezekiel 38:22, Revelation 8:7

Reciprocal: Exodus 7:9 - Take Exodus 7:19 - stretch Exodus 9:24 - none like Deuteronomy 9:15 - the mount 1 Samuel 7:10 - thundered Job 20:23 - rain it Job 27:21 - a storm Job 36:31 - by Job 38:35 - Canst Psalms 11:6 - Upon Psalms 18:12 - hail Psalms 29:7 - flames Psalms 140:10 - burning coals Psalms 147:17 - casteth Jeremiah 10:13 - maketh Amos 7:4 - called Revelation 20:9 - and fire

Verse 24

none like: Exodus 9:23, Exodus 10:6, Matthew 24:21

Reciprocal: Job 38:23 - General Psalms 11:6 - Upon Psalms 18:12 - hail Psalms 140:10 - burning coals Amos 7:4 - called Revelation 20:9 - and fire

Verse 25

smote every: Psalms 105:33

Reciprocal: Exodus 9:6 - General Exodus 9:19 - the hail

Verse 26

Exodus 8:22-32, Exodus 9:4, Exodus 9:6, Exodus 10:23, Exodus 11:7, Exodus 12:13, Isaiah 32:18, Isaiah 32:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 45:10 - in the land Genesis 47:1 - in the land Amos 4:7 - and I

Verse 27

I have: Exodus 10:16, Numbers 22:34, 1 Samuel 15:24, 1 Samuel 15:30, 1 Samuel 26:21, Matthew 27:4

the Lord: 2 Chronicles 12:6, Psalms 9:16, Psalms 129:4, Psalms 145:17, Lamentations 1:18, Daniel 9:14, Romans 2:5, Romans 3:19

Reciprocal: Exodus 8:25 - General Numbers 21:7 - We have 1 Samuel 24:17 - Thou art Proverbs 14:19 - General

Verse 28

Entreat: Exodus 8:8, Exodus 8:28, Exodus 10:17, Acts 8:24

mighty thunderings: Heb. voices of God, Psalms 29:3, Psalms 29:4

ye shall: Exodus 11:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 30:8 - great wrestlings Exodus 10:24 - Go ye Exodus 12:32 - bless me Exodus 19:16 - thunders Numbers 21:7 - We have Judges 11:8 - the elders 1 Samuel 5:7 - saw 1 Samuel 12:19 - Pray for thy 2 Samuel 24:16 - It is enough 1 Kings 13:6 - now 1 Chronicles 21:15 - It is enough Job 1:16 - The fire of God Psalms 36:6 - great mountains Psalms 78:48 - hot thunderbolts Proverbs 14:19 - General Jeremiah 34:11 - General Jeremiah 37:3 - Pray Jeremiah 42:2 - and pray James 5:16 - The effectual

Verse 29

spread: Exodus 9:33, 1 Kings 8:22, 1 Kings 8:38, 2 Chronicles 6:12, 2 Chronicles 6:13, Ezra 9:5, Job 11:13, Psalms 143:6, Isaiah 1:15

that the earth: Deuteronomy 10:14, Psalms 24:1, Psalms 24:2, Psalms 50:12, Psalms 95:4, Psalms 95:5, Psalms 135:6, 1 Corinthians 10:26, 1 Corinthians 10:28

Reciprocal: Exodus 8:10 - there is none Exodus 19:5 - all the earth Exodus 19:16 - thunders Exodus 24:18 - went into Job 38:35 - Canst Psalms 44:20 - stretched Daniel 4:32 - until James 5:16 - The effectual

Verse 30

Proverbs 16:6, Isaiah 26:10, Isaiah 63:17

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 44:10 - neither

Verse 31

flax: The word pishteh, flax, Mr. Parkhurst thinks may be derived from pashat, to strip, because the substance which we call flax is properly the filaments of the bark or rind of the vegetable, stripped off the stalks. From time immemorial, Egypt was celebrated for the production and manufacture of flax; and hence the linen and fine linen of Egypt, so often spoken of in scripture and ancient authors.

the barley: The Hebrew seorah, barley, in Arabic shair, and shairat, is so called from its rough, bristly beard, with which the ears are covered and defended; from saâr, to stand on end as the hair of the head. Hence seâr, the hair of the head. Dr. Pococke has observed that there is a double seed time and harvest in Egypt; rice, India wheat, and a grain called the corn of Damascus, are sown and reaped at a very different time from wheat, barley, and flax. The first are sown in March, before the overflowing of the Nile, and reaped about October; whereas the wheat and barley are sown in November and December, as soon as the Nile has gone off, and reaped before May. Ruth 1:22, Ruth 2:23, Amos 4:9, Habakkuk 3:17

Reciprocal: Isaiah 28:25 - in the principal

Verse 32

not grown up: Heb. hidden, or dark, Exodus 10:22

Reciprocal: Exodus 10:5 - the residue Ruth 1:22 - in the beginning Isaiah 28:25 - in the principal

Verse 33

spread: Exodus 9:29, Exodus 8:12

and the thunders: Exodus 10:18, Exodus 10:19, James 5:17, James 5:18

Reciprocal: Exodus 7:19 - stretch Exodus 8:30 - entreated Exodus 24:18 - went into 1 Kings 8:22 - spread forth 2 Chronicles 6:12 - spread forth Ezra 9:5 - spread Psalms 29:3 - thundereth James 5:16 - The effectual Revelation 8:7 - hail

Verse 34

saw: Exodus 8:15, Ecclesiastes 8:11

and hardened: Exodus 4:21, Exodus 7:14, 2 Chronicles 28:22, 2 Chronicles 33:23, 2 Chronicles 36:13, Romans 2:4, Romans 2:5

Reciprocal: Exodus 10:1 - I have hardened 1 Samuel 6:6 - the Egyptians Isaiah 26:10 - favour Jeremiah 34:11 - General Amos 4:10 - yet

Verse 35

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:21 - I will harden Exodus 10:1 - I have hardened Jeremiah 34:11 - General Amos 4:10 - yet