Exodus 8:17

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 8:17

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:17

And in beast . Kalisch notes that mosquitoes - molest especially beasts, as oxen and horses, flying into their eyes and nostrils, driving them to madness and fury, and sometimes even torturing them to death." He quotes Theodoret, Hist. Ecclesiastes 8:1-17 .26. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 8:17

Exodus 8:17. The frogs were produced out of the waters, but the lice out of the dust of the earth; for out of any part of the creation God can fetch a scourge wherewith to correct those that rebel against him. This plague was probably sent because it would be peculiarly grievous to the Egyptians, as being a very cleanly people. According to Herodotus, their priests were wont to shave or scrape their whole bodies every third day, lest any lice should breed upon them. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 8:1-32

Nine plagues (7:14-10:29)The timing, intensity and extent of these plagues show clearly that they were sent by God. It also seems fairly clear that God used the physical characteristics of the Nile valley to produce them.When the first plague struck, it polluted all the water in the Nile and in the irrigation canals and reservoirs connected with it, resulting in all the fish dying. As the dead fish floated to the banks they would force the frogs out of the water, thereby producing the second... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Exodus 8:17

man . Hebrew. 'adam, with art. = mankind. all the dust . A special various reading called sevir reads "and all", &c. See App-34 . But other codices, with Septuagint, read, "and in all the dust there came to be". read more

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