Exodus 8:23

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 8:23

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 8:23

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:20-32

The Fourth Plague. I. THE SUPERSTITION OF EGYPT IS MADE ITS SCOURGE . 1 . The land was covered with the sacred beetle. It swarmed upon the ground and in their homes. No movement was possible without crushing or treading under foot the insect they adored. When God overthrows idolatries the very reverence with which the idols have been regarded deepens the chastisement. When the covetous sink under the loss of wealth, they themselves have given its weight to the blow... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:22-23

God puts division between the good and bad, both here and hereafter In some respects the good and the bad appear to be treated alike in this life, and no difference to be made between them. "God maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" ( Matthew 5:45 ). The Preacher's experience was that "all things come alike to all; there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the clean and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:23

A division . Literally "a redemption," i.e; a sign that they are redeemed from bondage, and are "My people," not thine any longer. To-morrow. Particulars of time and place are fixed beforehand, to mark clearly that the visitation does not take place by chance, or by mere natural law, but by Gods positive decree and by his agency. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 8:23-24

Exodus 8:23-24. A division A wall of partition. There came a grievous swarm of flies The prince of the power of the air has gloried in being Beel-zebub, the god of flies; but here it is proved that even in that he is a pretender, and a usurper; for even with swarms of flies God fights against his kingdom and prevails. The land was corrupted By the land Bochart understands the inhabitants of the land, whose blood these flies sucked, and left such a poison in it that their bodies... 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

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