Albert Barnes Commentary Exodus 8
Albert Barnes Commentary
Exodus 8
Albert Barnes Commentary
Exodus 8
"And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:" — Exodus 8:2 (ASV)
With frogs — Some months appear to have elapsed between this and the former plague, if the frogs made their appearance at the usual time, that is, in September. The special species mentioned here is of Egyptian origin.
This plague was, like the preceding, in general accordance with natural phenomena, but marvelous both for its extent and intensity, and for its direct connection with the words and acts of God’s messengers. It had also apparently, like the other plagues, a direct bearing upon Egyptian superstitions. There was a female deity with a frog’s head, and the frog was connected with the most ancient forms of nature-worship in Egypt.
"and the river shall swarm with frogs, which shall go up and come into thy house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneading-troughs:" — Exodus 8:3 (ASV)
Into thine house - This appears to have been special to the plague, as such. It was especially the visitation that would be felt by the scrupulously-clean Egyptians.
Kneadingtroughs - Not dough, as in the margin. See Exodus 12:34.
"And the magicians did in like manner with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt." — Exodus 8:7 (ASV)
The magicians seemed to have been able to increase the plague, but not to remove it; therefore, Pharaoh's appeal to Moses, the first symptoms of his yielding.
"And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Have thou this glory over me: against what time shall I entreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, that the frogs be destroyed from thee and thy houses, and remain in the river only?" — Exodus 8:9 (ASV)
Glory over me - See the margin, "have honor over me," that is, have the honor, or advantage over me, directing me when I am to entreat God for you and your servants.
When - Or by when; that is, for what exact time. Pharaoh’s answer in Exodus 5:10 refers to this, by tomorrow. The shortness of the time would, of course, be a test of the supernatural character of the transaction.
"And Jehovah did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courts, and out of the fields." — Exodus 8:13 (ASV)
Villages: Literally, enclosures, or courtyards.
Jump to: