Moses cried unto the Lord . The expression used is a strong one, and seems to imply special earnestness in the prayer. Moses had ventured to fix a definite time for the removal of the plague, without (so far as appears) any special command of God. Hence earnest prayer (as Kalisch notes) was doubly necessary. (Compare 1 Kings 18:36 , 1 Kings 18:37 .) read more
The villages . The translation "courts" or "court-yards," is preferred by some. Houses in Egypt had generally a court-yard attached to them. read more
They gathered them together upon heaps . Literally "heaps upon heaps." And the land stank . Even when the relief came, it was not entire relief. The putrefaction of the dead bodies filled the whole land with a fetid odour. read more
When Pharaoh saw that there was respite . Literally, "a taking of breath," i.e; "a breathing-space." He hardened his heart . He became hard and merciless once more, believing that the danger was past, and not expecting any fresh visitation. As Isaiah says—"Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness" ( Isaiah 26:10 ). Bad men "despise the riches of God's goodness and forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth them to... read more
Double-minded men, unstable in all their ways. An Egyptian king was not likely, unless exceptionally gifted by nature, to be firm, fixed, and stable in his conduct. Flattered and indulged from infancy, no sooner did he obtain the crown, than he found himself recognised as a divinity by the great mass of his subjects, and regarded as one who "could do no wrong." Occasionally, he may have been so fortunate as to fall under the influence of a wise counsellor, but in general he would have... read more
Villages - Literally, enclosures, or courtyards. read more
Exodus 8:13-14. The frogs died. And they gathered them on heaps God could as easily have dissolved them into dust, but he would have them to lie dead before their eyes, as a token that they were real frogs and no illusion, and as a testimony of his wonderful power. read more
Exodus 8:15. Pharaoh hardened his heart Observe, he did it himself, not God, any otherwise than by not hindering. read more
Nine plagues (7:14-10:29)The timing, intensity and extent of these plagues show clearly that they were sent by God. It also seems fairly clear that God used the physical characteristics of the Nile valley to produce them.When the first plague struck, it polluted all the water in the Nile and in the irrigation canals and reservoirs connected with it, resulting in all the fish dying. As the dead fish floated to the banks they would force the frogs out of the water, thereby producing the second... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:8-15
read more