Albert Barnes Commentary Exodus 9
Albert Barnes Commentary
Exodus 9
Albert Barnes Commentary
Exodus 9
"behold, the hand of Jehovah is upon thy cattle which are in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the herds, and upon the flocks: [there shall be] a very grievous murrain." — Exodus 9:3 (ASV)
A very grievous murrain - Or “pestilence;” but the word “murrain,” that is, “a great mortality,” exactly expresses the meaning. This terrible visitation struck far more severely than the preceding, which had caused distress and suffering; it attacked the resources of the nation.
The camels - These animals are only twice mentioned, here and (Genesis 12:16), in connection with Egypt. Though camels are never represented on the monuments, they were known to the Egyptians, and were probably used on the frontier.
"And Jehovah did that thing on the morrow; and all the cattle of Egypt died; but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one." — Exodus 9:6 (ASV)
All the cattle – that is, which were left in the field; compare (Exodus 9:19–21).
"And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not so much as one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was stubborn, and he did not let the people go." — Exodus 9:7 (ASV)
Was hardened – See Exodus 4:21. Pharaoh probably attributed the exemption of the Israelites to natural causes. They were a pastoral race, well acquainted with all that pertained to the care of cattle, and dwelling in a healthy district probably far more than the rest of Lower Egypt.
"And Jehovah said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward heaven in the sight of Pharaoh." — Exodus 9:8 (ASV)
This marks a distinct advance and change in the character of the visitations. Until now, the Egyptians had not been attacked directly in their persons. It is the second plague that was not preceded by a demand and warning, probably on account of the special hardness shown by Pharaoh in reference to the murrain.
Ashes of the furnace - The act was evidently symbolic: the ashes were to be sprinkled toward heaven, challenging, so to speak, the Egyptian deities. There may possibly be a reference to an Egyptian custom of scattering to the winds ashes of victims offered to Typhon.
"And it shall become small dust over all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt." — Exodus 9:9 (ASV)
A boil probably means a burning tumor or carbuncle breaking out in pustulous ulcers. The miracle consisted in the severity of the plague and its direct connection with the act of Moses.
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