King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley [was] in the ear, and the flax [was] bolled.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The flax and barley were ruined, because the barley was ripe and the flax in bud.
Berean Standard Bible:
(Now the flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley was ripe and the flax was in bloom;
American Standard Version:
And the flax and the barley were smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was in bloom.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the flax{H6594} and the barley{H8184} was smitten{H5221}: for the barley{H8184} was in the ear{H24}, and the flax{H6594} was bolled{H1392}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Ruth 1:22
- So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
Ruth 2:23
- So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.
Amos 4:9
- I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured [them]: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
Habakkuk 3:17
- Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls:
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Commentary for Exodus 9:31
Exodus 9:31 is part of the narrative describing the seventh plague that God brought upon Egypt through Moses and Aaron, as a punishment for Pharaoh's refusal to release the Israelites from slavery. This verse specifically mentions the destruction of two important crops: flax and barley. The timing of this plague is significant because the barley was "in the ear," indicating it was close to harvest time, and the flax was "bolled," meaning it was at the stage where the seed pods were formed. This detail underscores the severity of the plague, as it targeted the Egyptians' livelihood and food supply at a critical juncture, intensifying the pressure on Pharaoh to submit to God's will.
The themes present in this verse include God's power over nature, divine judgment, and the sovereignty of God over all nations and their economies. It also illustrates the biblical principle of God using natural events to achieve His purposes, whether for blessing or, in this case, for judgment. Historically, this plague would have had a profound impact on the Egyptians, as barley was a staple grain and flax was essential for linen production, which was a major industry in Egypt. The specific targeting of these crops would have been a direct assault on Egypt's economic stability and a clear sign to Pharaoh and his people of the God of Israel's authority and the futility of resisting His demands.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6594
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פִּשְׁתָּה
Transliteration: pishtâh
Pronunciation: pish-taw'
Description: feminine of פִּשְׁתֶּה; flax; by implication, a wick; flax, tow. - Strong's Number: H8184
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׂעֹרָה
Transliteration: sᵉʻôrâh
Pronunciation: seh-o-raw'
Description: or שְׂעוֹרָה (feminine meaning the plant); and (masculine meaning the grain); also שְׂעֹר; or שְׂעוֹר; from שָׂעַר in the sense of roughness; barley (as villose); barley. - Strong's Number: H5221
There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָכָה
Transliteration: nâkâh
Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
Description: a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. - Strong's Number: H24
There are 2550 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָבִיב
Transliteration: ʼâbîyb
Pronunciation: aw-beeb'
Description: from an unused root (meaning to be tender); green, i.e. a young ear of grain; hence, the name of the month Abib or Nisan; Abib, ear, green ears of corn (not maize). - Strong's Number: H1392
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גִּבְעֹל
Transliteration: gibʻôl
Pronunciation: ghib-ole'
Description: prolonged from גְּבִיעַ; the calyx of a flower; bolled.