Exodus9

Exodus 9 details three more plagues upon Egypt, demonstrating the LORD's power and Pharaoh's continued defiance. The fifth plague, a grievous murrain, killed all Egyptian livestock while sparing Israel's. This was followed by the sixth plague of boils upon both man and beast, affecting even the magicians. Finally, the seventh plague brought unprecedented hail mingled with fire, devastating the land and its inhabitants, yet sparing the land of Goshen, though Pharaoh's heart remained hardened.

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The Fifth Plague: Pestilence on Livestock

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.

But if you continue to restrain them and refuse to let them go,

then the hand of the LORD will bring a severe plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks.

But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.’”

The LORD set a time, saying, “Tomorrow the LORD will do this in the land.”

And the next day the LORD did just that. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died.

Pharaoh sent officials and found that none of the livestock of the Israelites had died. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not let the people go.

The Sixth Plague: Boils and Blains

Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from the furnace; in the sight of Pharaoh, Moses is to toss it into the air.

It will become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on man and beast throughout the land.”

So they took soot from the furnace and stood before Pharaoh. Moses tossed it into the air, and festering boils broke out on man and beast.

The magicians could not stand before Moses, because the boils had broken out on them and on all the Egyptians.

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said to Moses.

The Seventh Plague Announced: Hail

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning, stand before Pharaoh, and tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.

Otherwise, I will send all My plagues against you and your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth.

For by this time I could have stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the earth.

But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

Still, you lord it over My people and do not allow them to go.

Behold, at this time tomorrow I will rain down the worst hail that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded until now.

So give orders now to shelter your livestock and everything you have in the field. Every man or beast that remains in the field and is not brought inside will die when the hail comes down upon them.’”

Those among Pharaoh’s officials who feared the word of the LORD hurried to bring their servants and livestock to shelter,

but those who disregarded the word of the LORD left their servants and livestock in the field.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt—on man and beast and every plant of the field throughout the land of Egypt.”

So Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck the earth. So the LORD rained down hail upon the land of Egypt.

The hail fell and the lightning continued flashing through it. The hail was so severe that nothing like it had ever been seen in all the land of Egypt from the time it became a nation.

Throughout the land of Egypt, the hail struck down everything in the field, both man and beast; it beat down every plant of the field and stripped every tree.

The only place where it did not hail was in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived.

Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he said. “The LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.

Pray to the LORD, for there has been enough of God’s thunder and hail. I will let you go; you do not need to stay any longer.”

Moses said to him, “When I have left the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD. The thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.

But as for you and your officials, I know that you still do not fear the LORD our God.”

(Now the flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley was ripe and the flax was in bloom;

but the wheat and spelt were not destroyed, because they are late crops.)

Then Moses departed from Pharaoh, went out of the city, and spread out his hands to the LORD. The thunder and hail ceased, and the rain no longer poured down on the land.

When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had ceased, he sinned again and hardened his heart—he and his officials.

So Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the LORD had said through Moses.

Study Notes for Exodus 9

Verse 1

This is the first plague where Moses is commanded to deliver the message without a preceding sign, indicating an escalation in judgment. The Lord God of the Hebrews emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel, contrasting Him with the Egyptian gods.

Verse 3

The 'grievous murrain' (Heb. *deber*) targets the livestock essential to Egypt's economy, warfare, and religious life (e.g., the worship of the Apis bull). This plague directly attacks the sources of Egyptian strength and divine protection.

Verse 4

This is the third plague (following the flies and frogs) that explicitly demonstrates God’s ability to differentiate between the Egyptians and the Israelites, showcasing Yahweh's precise sovereign control within the same land.

Verse 6

The immediate execution of the judgment 'on the morrow,' as promised, validates Moses' authority and emphasizes God's absolute control over time and natural events.

Verse 7

Pharaoh verifies the miracle but still refuses to yield. This demonstrates an increasing hardness of heart, characterized by willful defiance despite overwhelming empirical evidence of God's power.

Verse 8

This plague is unique as Moses and Aaron are instructed to use a symbolic act—throwing soot/ash from a furnace—which turns into a widespread affliction. The furnace may symbolize the harsh servitude of Israel.

Verse 9

The boils (*shehin*) were painful, festering sores, possibly a reference to diseases that Egyptian deities (like Imhotep, god of medicine) were expected to prevent. This targeted the general health and purity of the populace.

Verse 11

The inability of the magicians to stand before Moses signifies their complete defeat. They cannot mimic or withstand this plague, confirming that Yahweh's power utterly eclipses all Egyptian magic and protective deities.

Verse 12

This is the first time the text explicitly attributes the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart solely to the LORD. This shift emphasizes God’s sovereign control over the ultimate outcome, ensuring His plan to demonstrate power is fulfilled.

Verse 13

Before the plague, God delivers a profound message regarding the theological purpose of the judgments. Moses must rise 'early in the morning,' indicating the urgency of the confrontation.

Verse 14

The plagues are now focused on securing the theological knowledge that 'there is none like me in all the earth.' This judgment aims to demonstrate Yahweh's absolute and incomparable nature.

Verse 16

This critical verse explains God's purpose in sustaining Pharaoh's life and reign: to display divine power and ensure that Yahweh's name is proclaimed globally through the ensuing judgments, fulfilling a divine plan.

Verse 18

Hail is extremely rare and usually mild in Egypt; a destructive storm of this magnitude would be unprecedented. This plague attacks the sky gods and the fertility of the land directly.

Verse 20

This verse shows the first visible split among the Egyptians. Those who 'feared the word of the LORD' obeyed the warning, demonstrating that the cumulative effect of the plagues was producing fear and internal division within Pharaoh’s court.

Verse 23

The description of 'thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground' suggests a severe thunderstorm with intense lightning. This imagery contrasts with the power of Egyptian deities like Nut (sky) and Shu (air).

Verse 26

The continued protection of Goshen reinforces the distinction established in previous plagues, assuring Israel that they remain safe under God's covenant protection despite the surrounding destruction.

Verse 27

Pharaoh finally confesses sin, acknowledging God's righteousness and his own wickedness. However, this confession is driven by temporary fear of the judgment, not genuine repentance, as shown by his subsequent actions.

Verse 29

Moses agrees to intercede but reiterates the core theological lesson: the cessation of the plague will confirm that 'the earth is the LORD'S,' emphasizing Yahweh's universal dominion, not just control over Egypt.

Verse 30

Moses demonstrates prophetic insight, knowing that Pharaoh and his servants lack genuine 'fear of the LORD,' indicating that their obedience is only superficial and temporary.

Verse 31

The specific destruction of barley and flax, while sparing wheat and rye, provides a precise chronological marker, placing this plague in early spring (March-April) when those crops were maturing.

Verse 34

As the immediate threat ceases, Pharaoh's resolve returns. He 'sinned yet more,' demonstrating that true change requires more than temporary relief from consequences; it requires genuine submission to God.

Verse 35

The chapter concludes by reaffirming that Pharaoh’s hardening and refusal fulfilled the prophetic word delivered by Moses, underscoring God's ultimate control over the events.

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Exodus9

The Fifth Plague: Pestilence on Livestock

The Sixth Plague: Boils and Blains

The Seventh Plague Announced: Hail

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