Exodus 8:21-23 NIV

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 8:21

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:21

Swarms of flies upon thee - It is not easy to ascertain the precise meaning of the original word הערב hearob ; as the word comes from ערב arab , he mingled, it may be supposed to express a multitude of various sorts of insects. And if the conjecture be admitted that the putrid frogs became the occasion of this plague, (different insects laying their eggs in the bodies of those dead animals, which would soon be hatched, see on Exodus 8:14 ; (note)), then the supposition that a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:22

I will sever in that day - הפליתי hiphleythi , has been translated by some good critics, I will miraculously separate; so the Vulgate: Faciam mirabilem , "I will do a marvellous thing." And the Septuagint, παραδοξασω , I will render illustrious the land of Goshen in that day; and this he did, by exempting that land, and its inhabitants the Israelites, from the plagues by which he afflicted the land of Egypt. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:23

And I will put a division - פדת peduth , a redemption, between my people and thy people; God hereby showing that he had redeemed them from those plagues to which he had abandoned the others. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:22

Verse 22 22.And I will sever. Although this had not been expressly declared as yet, still it must be extended to the other plagues; for it is certain, that when God inflicted punishment on the Egyptians, He did not proceed promiscuously against all men; and, therefore, that His chosen people, in whose behalf He acted, were free from all inconvenience. But now perhaps for the first time this distinction is made more evident to Pharaoh, whereas before the peculiar grace of God had not been known... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:20-32

The plague of flies. This torment is thought by many to have embraced winged pests of all kinds. In this case, it would include the mosquito, cattle-fly, beetles, dog-flies, and numbers of others. But see the exposition. We have to note regarding it— I. PHARAOH FINDS AS BEFORE THAT THERE IS NO ESCAPING FROM THE HANDS OF GOD . He is met at the brink of the river, and confronted with the old alternative—"Let my people go else," etc. ( Exodus 8:20 , Exodus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:20-32

The fourth plague-the flies: the immunities of Goshen. The mere change from one chastising agent to another is not a matter to be dwelt on in considering this plague. We note that God makes the change from gnats to flies, and that Pharaoh, who was obdurate before the gnats, is so far affected before the flies as to make an offer of submission; but it is obviously impossible for us to see why the flies should be more efficacious than the gnats. The important thing is, not the gradation... read more

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

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

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:23

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:20-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:20-32

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