John Calvin Commentary Exodus 8:22

"And I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am Jehovah in the midst of the earth." — Exodus 8:22 (ASV)

And I will sever. Although this had not been expressly declared until now, it must still be extended to the other plagues. For it is certain that when God inflicted punishment on the Egyptians, He did not proceed indiscriminately against everyone; and therefore, His chosen people, on whose behalf He acted, were free from all harm.

But now, perhaps for the first time, this distinction was made more evident to Pharaoh, while previously the special grace of God had not been known to him.

From this, however, it was abundantly clear that mercies and punishments were in the power of the one God of Israel, so that He might spare His own people and treat them kindly and paternally, while, on the other hand, He exercised vengeance against His enemies.

Therefore He adds, to the end you may know that I am the Lord God in the midst of the earth. There is an implied antithesis here, which casts down all idols and exalts the God of Israel alone.

But although "the earth" may be understood here as the whole habitable globe, it is more accurately confined to Egypt, as if God affirmed that He was supreme in the midst of Egypt, or everywhere throughout all Egypt, which means the same thing.

The expression that follows, although somewhat harsh, yet contains no ambiguity. God is said to have put a redemption between his people and the Egyptians;⁹⁶ because, as if He had erected barriers or set up a fence to preserve one corner in safety, He had withheld His favor from the whole surrounding district.

Moreover, because the word פלה,⁹⁷phelo, signifies to be admirable or to be concealed, some interpreters translate it, I will render admirable⁹⁸ the land of Goshen; but I have preferred following the more usual rendering which appears to be most appropriate.

Lastly, it is to be observed that time for repentance was again given to Pharaoh, so that, if he were curable, he might prevent the punishment threatened against him. For God might have sent the insects immediately, but He assigned the next day to prove the wickedness of the tyrant.

⁹⁶ Verse 23, “And I will put a division,” marg., “redemption.” — ., “redemption.” — A..V..

⁹⁷ פלה, is to separate, to distinguish by marks of favor, פלא, to be wonderful, or inscrutable The derivatives from these kindred roots are, however, not always.distinguishable; and in this instance S M. and the V. have rendered הפליתי, as C. mentions, assuming it to be irregularly formed from פלא. — W

⁹⁸ French, “miraculeuse.”, “miraculeuse.”