Bible Commentaries

the LORD (Hebrew. Jehovah. said. See note on Exodus 3:7, and compare note on Exodus 6:10.

made = given (as in Ephesians 4:11) as such.

god. i.e. in God's stead. Elohim = one appointed by oath. Elohim is thus used of those so given and appointed. Psalms 82:1, Psalms 82:6. John 10:34, John 10:35.

prophet. See on Exodus 4:16.

children = sons.

harden. See note on Exodus 4:2.

armies = hosts.

and. No "and" required.

shall know: i.e. by a great experience. That was the great object of all these ten plagues; as it will be in the coming day of the judgments described in the Apocalypse. Revelation 16:5-7.

as = according as.

Pharaoh. See App-37.

the LORD (Hebrew. Jehovah. spake. See note on Exodus 6:10, and compare note on Exodus 3:7.

Shew a miracle for you = show us a sign.

serpent. Hebrew. thaunin = a crocodile.

as = according as.

Pharaoh. Hebrew "the face of Pharaoh". Figure of speech Pleonasm. App-6.

wise men, &c. Two sets of men mentioned. Pharaoh "called for the wise men, and for the magi cians-and these also (the sacred scribes of Egypt) did in like manner with their secret arts". Two of these named by the Holy Spirit in 2 Timothy 3:8, "Jannes and Jambres".

man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

rod. Figure of speech Ampliatio (App-6). The rod still called a rod, though it had become a serpent.

swallowed up: and thus inflicted the first blow on the gods of Egypt. See note on Exodus 7:20.

He hardened. The Hebrew here is "Pharaoh's heart was hardened". See on Exodus 4:21.

as = according as.

It will be noticed that the number nine is connected with judgment (see App-10), and that the third plague of each three is without warning. To make the sym metry complete, Aaron was used in the infliction of the first three, and Moses of the last three.

the LORD said. See note on Exodus 3:7 with Exodus 6:10. hardened. See note on Exodus 4:2.

serpent. Hebrew. nachash. See note on Genesis 3:1, and App-19.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-6.

Thus saith the LORD. See note on Exodus 4:22.

river. Probably the Nile canals.

the LORD spake. See note on Exodus 6:10, and compare note on Exodus 3:7.

streams = canals.

rivers = the seven streams of the Delta.

ponds = lakes where reeds grew.

pools = reservoirs.

vessels of wood, &c. Genitive of material. Figure of speech Metony my (of Cause). App-6. Hebrew "woods and stones", put for [channels] made of wood [and canals] made of stone.

river. This first plague was directed against the Nile, an object of worship, which was thus polluted, and became a means of pollution to the people. Compare Exodus 12:12.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton in verses: Exodus 7:20, Exodus 7:21.

magicians . . . did so. Evidently from the water referred to in Exodus 7:24.

hardened. See note on Exodus 4:2.

round about: i.e. on either side of.