Exodus 8:16

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

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

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

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

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 8:16

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:16-19

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:16-19

The plague of lice. The precise nature of the visitation is matter of dispute. The word "Kinnim" seems to include various kinds of poisonous flies and insects (Geikie; and see Exposition). Some take it to denote mosquitoes. The plague stands at any rate in immediate relation to the natural troubles of the country. Travellers tell how, as the Nile waters spread over the surface of the land, and moisten its fine dust, gnats and flies burst from their pupae, and spring into perfect... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:16-19

The third plague-the gnats: the finger of God. I. CONSIDER THE PLAGUE ITSELF . From the water God comes to the land. He who has power over every drop of water has power over every grain of dust. Everywhere at his touch the inorganic becomes the organic. And he still keeps in the same line of action which has been begun with the frogs. He produces small creatures in immense numbers, rather than larger creatures in fewer numbers; that thus he may the more irritate and humiliate... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:16-19

I. THERE IS A LIMIT TO THE DIVINE MERCY . This, like every third plague, came without warning. Opportunity was given twice to avert coming judgment. None is given now. Unannounced it startles them in the midst of their fancied security. 1 . When men have baffled the servants of God by unrepentant stubbornness and broken vows the matter is not ended. God who has spoken will also act. 2 . God will not always strive. Those who resist mercy pass on to meet sudden... read more

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