---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Exodus 9"
description: "CHAPTER 9   :-. MURRAIN OF
BEASTS. 3-5. Behold, the hand of the Lord is
upon thy cattle—A fifth application was made to Pharaoh in
behalf of the Israelite"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/exodus/9"
---

CHAPTER 9

. MURRAIN OF
BEASTS.

**3-5. Behold, the hand of the Lord is
upon thy cattle**—A fifth application was made to Pharaoh in
behalf of the Israelites by Moses, who was instructed to tell him
that, if he persisted in opposing their departure, a pestilence would
be sent among all the flocks and herds of the Egyptians, while those
of the Israelites would be spared. As he showed no intention of
keeping his promise, he was still a mark for the arrows of the
Almighty's quiver, and the threatened plague of which he was
forewarned was executed. But it is observable that in this instance
it was not inflicted through the instrumentality or waving of Aaron's
rod, but directly by the hand of the Lord, and the fixing of the
precise time tended still further to determine the true character of
the calamity ([Jeremiah 12:4](../../../kjv/jeremiah/12/4)).

**6. all the cattle of Egypt died**—not
absolutely every beast, for we find ([Exodus 9:19](../../../kjv/exodus/9/19);
[Exodus 9:21](../../../kjv/exodus/9/21)) that there were still
some left; but a great many died of each herd—the mortality was
frequent and widespread. The adaptation of this judgment consisted in
Egyptians venerating the more useful animals such as the ox, the cow,
and the ram; in all parts of the country temples were reared and
divine honors paid to these domesticated beasts, and thus while the
pestilence caused a great loss in money, it also struck a heavy blow
at their superstition.

**7. Pharaoh sent . . . there was not
one of the cattle of the Israelites dead**—The despatch of
confidential messengers indicates that he would not give credit to
vague reports, and we may conclude that some impression had been made
on his mind by that extraordinary exemption, but it was neither a
good nor a permanent impression. His pride and obstinacy were in no
degree subdued.
. PLAGUE OF
BOILS.

**8. Take to you handfuls of ashes,**
c.—The next plague assailed the persons of the Egyptians, and it
appeared in the form of ulcerous eruptions upon the skin and flesh
([Leviticus 13:20](../../../kjv/leviticus/13/20) [2 Kings 20:7](../../../kjv/2-kings/20/7);
[Job 2:7](../../../kjv/job/2/7)). That this epidemic did
not arise from natural causes was evident from its taking effect from
the particular action of Moses done in the sight of Pharaoh. The
attitude he assumed was similar to that of Eastern magicians, who,
"when they pronounce an imprecation on an individual, a village,
or a country, take the ashes of cows' dung (that is, from a common
fire) and throw them in the air, saying to the objects of their
displeasure, such a sickness or such a curse shall come upon you"
[ROBERTS].

**10. Moses took ashes from the
furnace**—*Hebrew,* "brick-kiln." The magicians,
being sufferers in their own persons, could do nothing, though they
had been called; and as the brick-kiln was one of the principal
instruments of oppression to the Israelites [[Deuteronomy 4:20](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/4/20);
[1 Kings 8:51](../../../kjv/1-kings/8/51); [Jeremiah 11:4](../../../kjv/jeremiah/11/4)],
it was now converted into a means of chastisement to the Egyptians,
who were made to read their sin in their punishment.
[Jeremiah 11:4](../../../kjv/jeremiah/11/4). PLAGUE OF
HAIL.

**18. I will cause it to rain a very
grievous hail,** &c.—The seventh plague which Pharaoh's
hardened heart provoked was that of hail, a phenomenon which must
have produced the greatest astonishment and consternation in Egypt as
rain and hailstones, accompanied by thunder and lightning, were very
rare occurrences.
**such as hath not been in
Egypt**—In the Delta, or lower Egypt, where the scene is laid,
rain occasionally falls between January and March—hail is not
unknown, and thunder sometimes heard. But a storm, not only
exhibiting all these elements, but so terrific that hailstones of
immense size fell, thunder pealed in awful volleys, and lightning
swept the ground like fire, was an unexampled calamity.

**20, 21. He that feared the word of
the Lord . . . regarded not,** c.—Due premonition, it appears,
had been publicly given of the impending tempest—the cattle seem to
have been sent out to graze, which is from January to April, when
alone pasturage can be obtained, and accordingly the cattle were in
the fields. This storm occurring at that season, not only struck
universal terror into the minds of the people, but occasioned the
destruction of all—people and cattle—which, in neglect of the
warning, had been left in the fields, as well as of all vegetation
[[Exodus 9:25](../../../kjv/exodus/9/25)]. It was the more
appalling because hailstones in Egypt are small and of little force
lightning also is scarcely ever known to produce fatal effects; and
to enhance the wonder, not a trace of any storm was found in Goshen
[[Exodus 9:26](../../../kjv/exodus/9/26)].

**27-35. Pharaoh sent, and called for
Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned**—This awful
display of divine displeasure did seriously impress the mind of
Pharaoh, and, under the weight of his convictions, he humbles himself
to confess he has done wrong in opposing the divine will. At the same
time he calls for Moses to intercede for cessation of the calamity.
Moses accedes to his earnest wishes, and this most awful visitation
ended. But his repentance proved a transient feeling, and his
obduracy soon became as great as before.

**31, 32. the flax and the barley was
smitten,** &c.—The peculiarities that are mentioned in these
cereal products arise from the climate and physical constitution of
Egypt. In that country flax and barley are almost ripe when wheat and
rye (spelt) are green. And hence the flax must have been
"bolled"—that is, risen in stalk or podded in February,
thus fixing the particular month when the event took place. Barley
ripens about a month earlier than wheat. Flax and barley are
generally ripe in March, wheat and rye (properly, spelt) in April.

**27-35. Pharaoh sent, and called for
Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned**—This awful
display of divine displeasure did seriously impress the mind of
Pharaoh, and, under the weight of his convictions, he humbles himself
to confess he has done wrong in opposing the divine will. At the same
time he calls for Moses to intercede for cessation of the calamity.
Moses accedes to his earnest wishes, and this most awful visitation
ended. But his repentance proved a transient feeling, and his
obduracy soon became as great as before.

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