Exodus 8:26-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:20-32

The plague of flies. This torment is thought by many to have embraced winged pests of all kinds. In this case, it would include the mosquito, cattle-fly, beetles, dog-flies, and numbers of others. But see the exposition. We have to note regarding it— I. PHARAOH FINDS AS BEFORE THAT THERE IS NO ESCAPING FROM THE HANDS OF GOD . He is met at the brink of the river, and confronted with the old alternative—"Let my people go else," etc. ( Exodus 8:20 , Exodus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:20-32

The fourth plague-the flies: the immunities of Goshen. The mere change from one chastising agent to another is not a matter to be dwelt on in considering this plague. We note that God makes the change from gnats to flies, and that Pharaoh, who was obdurate before the gnats, is so far affected before the flies as to make an offer of submission; but it is obviously impossible for us to see why the flies should be more efficacious than the gnats. The important thing is, not the gradation... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:20-32

The Fourth Plague. I. THE SUPERSTITION OF EGYPT IS MADE ITS SCOURGE . 1 . The land was covered with the sacred beetle. It swarmed upon the ground and in their homes. No movement was possible without crushing or treading under foot the insect they adored. When God overthrows idolatries the very reverence with which the idols have been regarded deepens the chastisement. When the covetous sink under the loss of wealth, they themselves have given its weight to the blow... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:25-26

Compromise not allowable in religious matters. The struggles of political and social life, the conflicting claims of races, nations, states, classes, parties, are usually terminated, and perhaps, under the existing condition of things, are best terminated, by compromise. Let neither side get all it wants—let both yield something to the other—let the prudent and the moderate on each side seek an intermediate course between the two extremes advocated—and the result is often peace and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:25-32

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:26

It is not meet so to do . So many animals were held sacred by the Egyptians, some universally, some partially, that, if they held a great festival anywhere in Egypt, the Israelites could not avoid offending the religious feelings of their neighbours. Some animals would be sure to be sacrificed—white cows, or heifers, for instance—by some of the people, which the Egyptians regarded it as sacrilegious to put to death. A bloody conflict, or even a civil war, might be the consequence. By the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:27

Three days' journey into the wilderness . This was the demand made from the first ( Exodus 5:3 ) by Divine direction ( Exodus 3:18 ). Its object was to secure the absence of Egyptians as witnesses. As he shall command us . Compare Exodus 10:26 , where Moses observes—"We know not with what we must serve the Lord until we come thither." Divine directions were expected as to the number and the selection of the victims. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:28

Only ye shall not go very far away . Here for the first time Pharaoh shows his real objection to letting the Israelites go—he is afraid that they will escape him. So he suggests the compromise, that they shall just enter the wilderness on his eastern border, remaining near the frontier, and therefore within his reach. Moses seems to have made no objection to this proviso. As Kalisch says, "he committal himself entirely to the guidance and direction of God." The three days' journey which he... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 8:26

The abomination - i. e. an animal which the Egyptians held it sacrilegious to slay. The ox, bull, or cow, is meant. The cow was never sacrificed in Egypt, being sacred to Isis, and from a very early age the ox was worshipped throughout Egypt, and more especially at Heliopolis and Memphis under various designations, Apis, Mnevis, Amen-Ehe, as the symbol or manifestation of their greatest deities, Osiris, Atum, Ptah, and Isis. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 8:27

Three days’ journey - See the Exodus 3:18 note. read more

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