Exodus 9:3

Behold, 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.

Behold, the hand {H3027} of the LORD {H3068} is {H1961} upon thy cattle {H4735} which is in the field {H7704}, upon the horses {H5483}, upon the asses {H2543}, upon the camels {H1581}, upon the oxen {H1241}, and upon the sheep {H6629}: there shall be a very {H3966} grievous {H3515} murrain {H1698}.

the hand of ADONAI is on your livestock in the field - on the horses, donkeys, camels, cattle and flocks -and will make them suffer a devastating illness.

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.

behold, 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.

Commentary

Exodus 9:3 introduces the fifth of the ten plagues brought upon Egypt by God, a severe pestilence targeting their livestock. This plague serves as a powerful demonstration of God's judgment against Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods, while simultaneously highlighting His protective care for the Israelites.

Context

This verse is situated within the escalating series of divine judgments against Egypt, following the plagues of blood (Exodus 7:19), frogs, lice, and flies. Unlike previous plagues that affected both Egyptians and Israelites, this one carries a specific distinction that God would make between the livestock of Egypt and the livestock of Israel, as stated in Exodus 9:4. The plague of murrain directly attacked Egypt's agricultural and economic stability, as well as challenging their animal deities, such as the bull god Apis and the cow goddess Hathor. It was a direct consequence of Pharaoh's continued refusal to "let my people go".

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The phrase "the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle" unmistakably points to God's direct and absolute control over creation and His active involvement in human affairs. This was not a natural disaster but a targeted act of divine will, demonstrating His power over life and death, and over the very resources of a nation.
  • Distinction and Protection: A crucial aspect of this plague, emphasized in the subsequent verses, is God's explicit separation of His people from the Egyptians. The Israelite livestock remained unharmed, a clear sign of God's covenant faithfulness and His ability to protect those who are His own, even amidst widespread calamity. This theme of God making a distinction between His people and the wicked is vital throughout the Exodus narrative.
  • Consequence of Disobedience: The plague serves as a severe consequence of Pharaoh's hardened heart and his persistent rebellion against God's commands. Each plague escalated in intensity and impact, aiming to humble Pharaoh and compel him to release the Israelites.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "murrain" translates the Hebrew word deber (דֶּבֶר), which broadly means "pestilence" or "plague." It denotes a severe, widespread disease or epidemic, particularly one that causes death. The phrase "the hand of the LORD" (Hebrew: yad Yahweh) is a powerful idiom used throughout the Old Testament to signify God's direct, active, and often forceful intervention, whether in judgment or in salvation. It underscores the personal and intentional nature of this affliction.

Significance and Application

Exodus 9:3 reminds us that God is sovereign over all aspects of creation, including disease and natural forces. His judgments are purposeful, often serving to reveal His power, highlight human rebellion, and demonstrate His unwavering commitment to His people. For believers today, this verse reinforces the truth that God actively intervenes in the world and that His promises of protection and provision are steadfast for those who trust in Him. It also serves as a warning against stubbornness and resistance to God's will, illustrating that such defiance has real and severe consequences. Ultimately, this plague was part of God's larger plan to deliver Israel and reveal His glory, a pattern seen throughout biblical history leading up to the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 7:4 (5 votes)

    But 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.

  • Acts 13:11 (3 votes)

    And now, behold, the hand of the Lord [is] upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

  • Exodus 5:3 (2 votes)

    ¶ And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

  • 1 Samuel 6:9 (2 votes)

    And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, [then] he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that [it is] not his hand [that] smote us: it [was] a chance [that] happened to us.

  • 1 Samuel 5:6 (2 votes)

    ¶ But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, [even] Ashdod and the coasts thereof.

  • 1 Samuel 5:11 (2 votes)

    So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.

  • Exodus 8:19 (2 votes)

    Then 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.