Exodus 8:15-19 ESV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:15

Verse 15 15.Blot when Pharaoh saw. Hence it appears that the wretched tyrant, like a winding serpent, twisted and turned his mind to crooked counsels; for when he was trembling beneath the present feeling of God’s power, he dared not obstinately resist any longer; he only sought a little breathing time; now, being freed from fear, he returns to his former contumacy. But this is a sign of a perverse and crooked disposition, not to submit willingly, but to pay only a temporary deference, when... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:16

Verse 16 16.And the Lord said unto Moses. In this place again, as before, Aaron is commanded to act as the inferior of Moses in punishing the tyrant; and this as being more ignominious than as if Moses alone had been employed. The nature of this third plague is very remarkable. God troubles Egypt not only with frogs, but with lice; for although the Hebrews are not entirely agreed as to the כנם, kinim, yet they admit that they were little animals or insects, which produced shame together with... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:18

Verse 18 18.And the magicians did so. They “did” is here put for “they tried to do;” for they did not succeed, as presently appears. They are therefore said to have done, what they in vain attempted, or what they essayed, but without success. And in this way God took away from Pharaoh whatever excuse remained, under pretext of being deceived; for although he had previously himself sought for these deceptions, still his obstinacy was not without color of excuse, as long as the magicians rivaled... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:19

Verse 19 19.Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh. It is probable that they were reproved harshly, because they had come to a stop in their rivalry with the servants of God; wherefore they excuse themselves by saying, that there is no more room for their wisdom and magical arts. We gather from hence that they had so been able to delude by their sorceries, that they thought themselves very good and praiseworthy artificers of deception. For on no other account had the people accounted them wise... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:1-15

The seared plague: the frogs. In intimating the first plague, Moses made no forms! demand upon Pharaoh to liberate Israel, though of course the demand was really contained in the intimation. But now as the second plague approaches, the formal demand once again is heard. Pharaoh is left for no long time without a distinct appeal which he must face either with consent or refusal. And so now Moses addresses him in the same words as on his first visit: "Let my people go." It is a challenge to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:1-16

The plague of frogs. Observe on this plague, in addition to what has been said above. I. PHARAOH 'S HARDNESS UNDER THE FIRST PLAGUE WROUGHT NO ESCAPE , EITHER FROM THE DIVINE COMMAND OR FROM THE DIVINE POWER ( Exodus 8:1 ). He probably thought, now that the river was healed, that he had done with Jehovah's demand, and perhaps congratulated himself that he had succeeded in holding out. But divine commands are not thus to be got rid of. They are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:8-15

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:15

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:15

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:16

Lice . Kinnim— the word is only found here and in the Psalms which celebrate the Exodus ( Psalms 78:46 ; Psalms 105:31 ). It was understood as "lice"by Josephus, the Talmudical writers, Bochart, Pool, and our translators in the reign of James I . But the great weight of authority is in favour of the rendering " gnats " or "mosquitoes." See the preceding paragraph. It must also be berne in mind that the nearest Egyptian equivalent, khennems , has the signification of mosquito. read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:8-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:16

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