Exodus 8:15-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 8:1-15

Pharaoh is here first threatened and then plagued with frogs, as afterwards, in this chapter, with lice and flies, little despicable inconsiderable animals, and yet by their vast numbers rendered sore plagues to the Egyptians. God could have plagued them with lions, or bears, or wolves, or with vultures or other birds of prey; but he chose to do it by these contemptible instruments. 1. That he might magnify his own power. He is Lord of the hosts of the whole creation, has them all at his beck,... read more

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 8:15

But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite ,.... From his affliction, as the Targum of Jonathan adds; the plague was removed, and he found himself and his people at ease: or there was a "breathing" F3 הרוחה "respiratio", Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version, Junius and Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius. ; before he and his people were so oppressed, that they could scarce breathe, but now being delivered from the judgment on them with which they were straitened, were enlarged and at... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:16

Smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice - If the vermin commonly designated by this name be intended, it must have been a very dreadful and afflicting plague to the Egyptians, and especially to their priests, who were obliged to shave the hair off every part of their bodies, and to wear a single tunic, that no vermin of this kind might be permitted to harbor about them. See Herod. in Euterp., c. xxxvii., p. 104, edit. Gale. Of the nature of these insects it is not necessary to... read more

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