Exodus 7:9 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 7:8-13

The first time that Moses made his application to Pharaoh, he produced his instructions only; now he is directed to produce his credentials, and does accordingly. 1. It is taken for granted that Pharaoh would challenge these demandants to work a miracle, that, by a performance evidently above the power of nature, they might prove their commission from the God of nature. Pharaoh will say, Show a miracle; not with any desire to be convinced, but with the hope that none will be wrought, and then... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 7:9

When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, show a miracle for you ,.... To prove that they came from God, the Jehovah they said they did, and that they were his ambassadors, and came in his name, and made the demand for him; which when he seriously reflected on things, he would be ready to require, hoping they would not be able to show any, and then he should have somewhat against them, and treat them as impostors: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, take thy rod ; the same that Moses had in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 7:9

Show a miracle for you - A miracle, מופת mopheth , signifies an effect produced in nature which is opposed to its laws, or such as its powers are inadequate to produce. As Moses and Aaron professed to have a Divine mission, and to come to Pharaoh on the most extraordinary occasion, making a most singular and unprecedented demand, it was natural to suppose, if Pharaoh should even give them an audience, that he would require them to give him some proof by an extraordinary sign that their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:1-9

Once more God made allowance for the weakness and self-distrust of Moses, severely tried as he had been by his former failure to persuade Pharaoh ( Exodus 5:1-5 ) and his recent rejection by the people of Israel ( Exodus 6:9 ). He made allowance, and raised his courage and his spirits by fresh promises, and by a call upon him for immediate action. The process of deliverance, God assured him, was just about to begin. Miracles would be wrought until Pharaoh's stubbornness was overcome.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:8-13

The credentials of God's ambassadors to the froward. I. THE DEMANDS OF GOD , THOUGH REJECTED , CANNOT BE BANISHED . The rod which Pharaoh refuses to be shepherded by, cast down before him, springs into life. To those who refuse obedience to God's Word, that Word will cling and become a living thing. Israel thought to have done with God and to be like the heathen: it was a vain dream. Pharaoh would shake off care, and become like one of whom God had asked nothing:... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:8-13

The first sign to Pharaoh: the rod becomes a serpent. I. NOTICE THE REMARKABLE REQUEST WHICH JEHOVAH INDICATES THAT PHARAOH MAY MAKE . Perhaps we might even say, will make. "When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you." This is a great change from his former attitude, that he should be capable of stooping to such a request. But men who have despotic power sometimes do strange and contradictory things. The freaks of tyrants in the way of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:8-14

The rod turned into a serpent. On this sign, notice— I. ITS SIGNIFICANCE . 1 . Its distinctness from the similar sign wrought for the conviction of the Israelites. On the meaning of the latter, see Exodus 4:1-6 . There the serpent into which the rod was turned seemed to denote the power of the monarch—the royal and divine power of Egypt—of which the serpent was an Egyptian emblem. However threatening the aspect of this power to Moses and the Israelites, the sign taught them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:9

When Pharaoh shall speak to you, saying, Shew a miracle . It is obvious that there would have been an impropriety in Moses and Aaron offering a sign to Pharaoh until he asked for one. They claimed to be ambassadors of Jehovah, and to speak in his name ( Exodus 5:1 ). Unless they were misdoubted, it was not for them to produce their credentials. Hence they worked no miracle at their former interview. Now, however, the time was come when their credentials would be demanded, and an express... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:9

Miracles the credentials of an ambassador from God. It is not easy to see any way in which God could authenticate a message as coming from him, except by giving the messenger supernatural powers. Conceivably, he might proclaim his will from heaven directly, in terms of human speech. But even then doubts would be raised as to the words uttered; men's recollections of them would differ; some would question whether words were used at all, and would hold that it had "thundered" ( John 12:29 ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 7:9

Thy rod - Apparently the rod before described Exodus 4:2, which Moses on this occasion gives to Aaron as his representative.A serpent - A word different from that in Exodus 4:3. Here a more general term, תנין tannı̂yn, is employed, which in other passages includes all sea or river monsters, and is more specially applied to the crocodile as a symbol of Egypt. It occurs in the Egyptian ritual, nearly in the same form, “Tanem,” as a synonym of the monster serpent which represents the principle of... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 7:8-13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 7:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 7:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:8-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:8-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:8-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 7:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 7:9

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