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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 8:16-19

Here is a short account of the plague of lice. It does not appear that any warning was given of it before. Pharaoh's abuse of the respite granted to him might have been a sufficient warning to him to expect another plague: for if the removal of an affliction harden us, and so we lose the benefit of it, we may conclude it goes away with a purpose to return or to make room for a worse. Observe, I. How this plague of lice was inflicted on the Egyptians, Exod. 8:16, 17. The frogs were produced out... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 8:20-32

Here is the story of the plague of flies, in which we are told, I. How it was threatened, like that of frogs, before it was inflicted. Moses is directed (Exod. 8:20) to rise early in the morning, to meet Pharaoh when he came forth to the water, and there to repeat his demands. Note, 1. Those that would bring great things to pass for God and their generation must rise early, and redeem time in the morning. Pharaoh was early up at his superstitious devotions to the river; and shall we be for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 8:16

And the Lord said unto Moses ,.... On the twenty seventh day of the month, according to Bishop Usher, the same day the flogs were removed; no warning is given him of the next plague, at least there is no account of any: say unto Aaron, stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land ; in some one part of the land, that place nearest to him where there was a quantity of dust; for it cannot be imagined that he should smite all the dust of the land in every part of it, but smiting one... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 8:17

And they did so ,.... As follows: for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod ; as directed and ordered: and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man and in beast ; which shows it was a miraculous operation, since lice do not usually spring from dust, but thrive in the sweat of bodies, and the nastiness of them, through sloth and idleness; and moreover, this was like the creation of man at first, which was out of the dust of the earth, and alike the effect of almighty... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 8:18

And the magicians did so with their enchantments, to bring forth lice ,.... They made use of their magical art, and juggling tricks they were masters of, to produce the like sort of creatures, or at least to make such appear, or seem to appear, to the eyes of men: but they could not ; God would not suffer them to do it, to impose upon Pharaoh, and deceive him and the Egyptians any longer; and a stop is put to them, when such small and despicable creatures were produced, the more to put... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 8:19

Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, this is the finger of God ,.... This is to be ascribed to a power superior to human, to a divine power; so long as they could do something similar, or impose upon the senses of men, and make them believe they did the like, they would not acknowledge divine omnipotence; but when they no longer could deceive the sight of Pharaoh and the Egyptian, then they own the effects of a superior power: and this they did partly to detract from the power of Moses and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 8:20

And the Lord said unto Moses, rise up early in the morning ,.... Of the day following, the twenty eight of Adar, or February, according to Bishop Usher; this was the fittest time to meet with Pharaoh, and the most likely to make impressions on him: and stand before Pharaoh : meet him as he comes along, and stop him, and stand before him as having something to say to him; this was using great boldness and freedom with a king; but as Moses was ordered to do it by the King of kings, it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 8:21

Else, if thou wilt not let my people go ,.... But remainest obstinate and inflexible: behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee ; the word used is generally thought to signify a "mixture", and is interpreted by many a mixture of various creatures; the Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it a mixture of wild beasts, and so Josephus F11 Antiqu. l. 2. c. 14. sect. 3. understands it of all sorts of beasts, of many forms, and such as were never seen before; according to Jarchi, all sorts... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 8:22

And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell ,.... Distinguish it from other parts of the land of Egypt: that no swarms of flies shall be there ; which was a very wonderful thing, and so the word may be rendered. "I will marvellously sever or separate" F15 והפליתי "faciamque mirabilem", V. L. "miraculose agam", Fagius; "marvellously sever", Ainsworth. , and so the Targum of Jonathan, "I will do wonders or miracles in that day": as they were to make... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 8:23

And I will put a division between my people and thy people ,.... Or, a "redemption" F16 פדות "redemptionem", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.; ; for by distinguishing them in his providence from the Egyptians, he might be said to redeem or deliver them; thus God makes a difference between his chosen people and the rest of the world, through his Son's redemption of them by his blood, out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation: tomorrow shall this sign be : which, according to... read more

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