Reading Plan · Day 19
Changes this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
Exodus 7-9
Day 19
Previously · Day 18 · Exodus 4-6
The previous day's reading presented the events of Moses' first interaction with Pharaoh. Moses returned to Egypt from his exile. Moses and Aaron made a request to Pharaoh to allow the Israelites to have a feast unto God. Pharaoh responded unjustly, while thinking he had equaled out Justice. Israel blamed Moses for Pharaoh's unjust response. The foundation was set for God to respond to Pharaoh.
Day 19 Read
Where You Stopped
Exodus 7
1And Jehovah said unto Moses, See, I have made thee as God to Pharaoh; and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
1And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
Commentary · verse 1
2Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.
3And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
2Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.
3And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
Commentary · verses 2-3
God said He would harden Pharaoh's heart as an effect of Pharaoh's decisions. Remember from the Seventh Day of Creation (Genesis 2:1-3): we are a first cause and God responds to us through Justice. This was the HOW of God's plan.
Commentary · verse 3
Pharaoh had made a wrong conclusion which put him on the wrong side of Justice. This allowed God to respond to Pharaoh, in effect equaling out Justice. However, God knew Pharaoh thought everything was already equal, so each time God equaled out Justice, Pharaoh would respond even worse.
If you pushed a person and they responded by hitting you, how would they respond if you hit them? Would they 1) do nothing, 2) hit you back, or 3) do something worse? If their response was to hit you for pushing them, they are going to do something worse than hit you if you hit them. That was all God was saying here. Every move God made to equal out Justice would only cause Pharaoh to respond worse because Pharaoh already responded worse to a lesser cause. God stated the limit to this interaction ahead of time: just enough to get Pharaoh to let the people go. God already knew the level that would take: killing the first-born sons.
Notice, God also stated He would do this to show His signs and wonders, in order to build Israel's faith. At every step, it was in Pharaoh's control whether he would continue to harden his heart. In fact, later in the Bible, the Philistines knew Pharaoh himself chose to harden his own heart. In 1 Samuel 6 the Philistines told each other to choose to do the opposite of what Pharaoh chose!
4But Pharaoh will not hearken unto you, and I will lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.
5And the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah, when I stretch forth my hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.
4But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.
5And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.
Commentary · verses 4-5
God gave an explanation of the WHY behind His plan.
6And Moses and Aaron did so; as Jehovah commanded them, so did they.
7And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.
6And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.
7And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.
Commentary · verses 6-7
Moses was eighty years old, Aaron was eighty-three years old.
8And Jehovah spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 9When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Show a wonder for you; then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent.
10And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so, as Jehovah had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
8And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
9When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.
10And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
Commentary · verses 8-10
Moses and Aaron obeyed God. They began the process of showing the wonders from God before Pharaoh.
11Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers: and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did in like manner with their enchantments.
12For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.
11Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
12For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.
Commentary · verses 11-12
Although Pharaoh's magicians used powers of darkness to attempt to replicate God's wonders, it was clear that the power from God was stronger.
13And Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as Jehovah had spoken.
13And he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
Commentary · verse 13
Pharaoh's decision not to believe was set and he could be expected to continue this process.
14And Jehovah said unto Moses, Pharaoh’s heart is stubborn, he refuseth to let the people go.
15Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river’s brink to meet him; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thy hand.
16And thou shalt say unto him, Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews, hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou hast not hearkened.
17Thus saith Jehovah, In this thou shalt know that I am Jehovah: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in my hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
14And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.
15Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river’s brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.
16And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.
17Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
Commentary · verses 14-17
Blood - against the god Nilus, the sacred river god. Even though God knew Pharaoh's heart and knew how Pharaoh would respond, God was not only using the plagues as a form of judgment. God was also trying to help the Egyptians and Pharaoh know that Jehovah was God.
18And the fish that are in the river shall die, and the river shall become foul; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink water from the river.
19And Jehovah said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thy hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, over their streams, and over their pools, and over all their ponds of water, that they may become blood; and there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.
20And Moses and Aaron did so, as Jehovah commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
21And the fish that were in the river died; and the river became foul, and the Egyptians could not drink water from the river; and the blood was throughout all the land of Egypt.
22And the magicians of Egypt did in like manner with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as Jehovah had spoken.
18And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river.
19And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.
20And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
21And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
22And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.
Commentary · verses 18-22
Pharaoh's heart was hardened after the river was turned to blood. Notice, it said: "as Jehovah had spoken." It did not say: "as the Lord made it happen" or "knew the future because it already happened."
23And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he lay even this to heart.
24And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
25And seven days were fulfilled, after that Jehovah had smitten the river.
23And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.
24And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
25And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river.
Where You Stopped
Exodus 8
1And Jehovah spake unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
2And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:
1And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
2And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:
Commentary · verses 1-2
Frogs - against Hekt, the goddess of reproduction. God was still giving Pharaoh a chance to let the Israelites go.
3and 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: 4and the frogs shall come up both upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.
5And Jehovah said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thy hand with thy rod over the rivers, over the streams, and over the pools, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.
3And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine 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 kneadingtroughs:
4And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.
5And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.
Commentary · verses 3-5
Moses was still using Aaron as his vessel for what God wanted done.
6And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.
7And the magicians did in like manner with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.
8Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Entreat Jehovah, that he take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice unto Jehovah.
6And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.
7And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.
8Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.
Commentary · verses 6-8
This plague got Pharaoh's attention. He even asked for the frogs to be taken away. Pharaoh said he would let the people go.
9And 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?
9And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only?
Commentary · verse 9
Moses asked Pharaoh when he should ask God to take away the frogs.
10And he said, Against to-morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word; that thou mayest know that there is none like unto Jehovah our God.
10And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God.
Commentary · verse 10
Pharaoh said "tomorrow". Did Pharaoh like frogs? Why did he want to spend another day with them?
11And the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; they shall remain in the river only.
12And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto Jehovah concerning the frogs which he had brought upon Pharaoh.
13And 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.
14And they gathered them together in heaps; and the land stank.
15But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them, as Jehovah had spoken.
11And the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; they shall remain in the river only.
12And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh.
13And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields.
14And they gathered them together upon heaps: and the land stank.
15But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
Commentary · verses 11-15
Pharaoh changed his mind, which was taking a value and getting on the wrong side of Justice to a higher degree.
16And Jehovah said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the earth, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
16And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
Commentary · verse 16
Lice - against Seb, the god of the earth. Pharaoh did not receive a warning before this plague came.
17And they did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and there were lice upon man, and upon beast; all the dust of the earth became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
18And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: and there were lice upon man, and upon beast.
19Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as Jehovah had spoken.
17And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
18And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.
19Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
Commentary · verses 17-19
Pharaoh's magicians could not replicate this wonder and told Pharaoh that this was the Finger of God. Ignoring his followers from this point only made the Justice against Pharaoh greater.
20And Jehovah said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
21Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.
22And 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.
23And I will put a division between my people and thy people: by to-morrow shall this sign be.
20And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
21Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.
22And I will sever 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 the LORD in the midst of the earth.
23And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.
Commentary · verses 20-23
Again, God wanted to show the Egyptians that Jehovah was God. Also, this plague would be special in that it would not affect the Israelites. This would be another way to show Pharaoh that God was intentionally directing these plagues at Pharaoh and the Egyptians.
24And Jehovah did so; and there came grievous swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses: and in all the land of Egypt the land was corrupted by reason of the swarms of flies.
24And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies.
Commentary · verse 24
Flies - against Khephera, the sacred scarab (Scarab - a representation or image of a beetle, much used among the ancient Egyptians).
25And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.
25And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.
Commentary · verse 25
Pharaoh said to go sacrifice in the land and not the wilderness. Pharaoh was trying to compromise.
26And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to Jehovah our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us?
27We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to Jehovah our God, as he shall command us.
26And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us?
27We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us.
Commentary · verses 26-27
Moses said it was three days' journey to the sacrifice.
28And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to Jehovah your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: entreat for me.
29And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will entreat Jehovah that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to-morrow: only let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to Jehovah.
30And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and entreated Jehovah.
31And Jehovah did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one.
28And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me.
29And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.
30And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD.
31And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one.
Commentary · verses 28-31
God took away the flies after Moses asked Him to.
32And Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go.
32And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.
Commentary · verse 32
Pharaoh changed his mind again and hardened his heart. The Justice against Pharaoh continued to increase.
Where You Stopped
Exodus 9
1Then Jehovah said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
2For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, 3behold, 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.
1Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
2For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still,
3Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.
Commentary · verses 1-3
The word "murrain" meant "plague." The plagues would continue if Pharaoh continued to refuse to let the people go.
4And Jehovah shall make a distinction between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt; and there shall nothing die of all that belongeth to the children of Israel.
5And Jehovah appointed a set time, saying, To-morrow Jehovah shall do this thing in the land.
6And 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.
4And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children’s of Israel.
5And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land.
6And the LORD 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.
Commentary · verses 4-6
Cattle - against Apis and Hathor, the sacred bull and cow. Another plague that only affected the Egyptians.
7And 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.
7And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.
Commentary · verse 7
Notice all of these hardenings occurred after an event and as a choice in response to the event.
8And 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.
9And 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.
10And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man and upon beast.
8And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.
9And it shall become small dust in 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.
10And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.
Commentary · verses 8-10
Boils - against Typhon, the evil-eye god. Another plague that Pharaoh was not warned about.
11And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boils were upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.
12And Jehovah hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them, as Jehovah had spoken unto Moses.
13And Jehovah said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
11And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.
12And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.
13And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Commentary · verses 11-13
Pharaoh would be asked again to let the Hebrews go.
14For I will this time send all my plagues upon thy heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.
15For now I had put forth my hand, and smitten thee and thy people with pestilence, and thou hadst been cut off from the earth: 16but in very deed for this cause have I made thee to stand, to show thee my power, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
14For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.
15For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.
16And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
Commentary · verses 14-16
Moses was told to tell Pharaoh why God raised him up. Paul referenced this verse in Romans 9:17.
17As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?
17As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?
Commentary · verse 17
Moses was told to ask Pharaoh why he still would not let them go.
18Behold, to-morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the day it was founded even until now.
18Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
Commentary · verse 18
Pharaoh was warned about the plague of hail.
19Now therefore send, hasten in thy cattle and all that thou hast in the field; for every man and beast that shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.
20He that feared the word of Jehovah among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:
19Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.
20He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:
Commentary · verses 19-20
Pharaoh's servants had enough faith to put the cattle into houses. This served as a witness against Pharaoh, which made the Justice against him even greater.
21and he that regarded not the word of Jehovah left his servants and his cattle in the field.
21And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.
Commentary · verse 21
Those who did not have faith paid the price. God left it to the individual to avoid judgment.
22And Jehovah said unto Moses, Stretch forth thy hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.
23And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and Jehovah sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down unto the earth; and Jehovah rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
22And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.
23And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
Commentary · verses 22-23
Hail - against Shu, the god of the atmosphere. Fire ran along the ground during the hail.
24So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as had not been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
25And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.
26Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.
27And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: Jehovah is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.
24So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
25And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.
26Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.
27And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.
Commentary · verses 24-27
Pharaoh confessed. In fact, Pharaoh not only stated that he had sinned but also that God was Righteous.
28Entreat Jehovah; for there hath been enough of these mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.
28Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.
Commentary · verse 28
Pharaoh SAID his repentance.
29And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto Jehovah; the thunders shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know that the earth is Jehovah’s.
30But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear Jehovah God.
31And the flax and the barley were smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was in bloom.
32But the wheat and the spelt were not smitten: for they were not grown up.
33And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto Jehovah: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
34And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
29And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD’s.
30But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God.
31And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.
32But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.
33And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
34And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
Commentary · verses 29-34
After the hail stopped, Pharaoh did not DO his repentance. In fact, he sinned more and hardened his heart.
35And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the children of Israel go, as Jehovah had spoken by Moses.
35And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.
Commentary · verse 35
This day's reading presented the events surrounding the first seven plagues brought against Pharaoh by God. God hardened Pharaoh's heart as an effect of the choices Pharaoh made. Pharaoh was able to choose to do differently.
Moses was as God unto Pharaoh with Aaron as the prophet. They represented God to Pharaoh, with Pharaoh having his "followers" representing Pharaoh's gods.