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Commentary on Exodus 9 verses 1–7
Here is, I. Warning given of another plague, namely, the murrain of beasts. When Pharaoh's heart was hardened, after he had seemed to relent under the former plague, then Moses is sent to tell him there is another coming, to try what that would do towards reviving the impressions of the former plagues. Thus is the wrath of God revealed from heaven, both in his word and in his works, against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. 1. Moses puts Pharaoh in a very fair way to prevent it: Let my people go, Exo 9:1. This was still the demand. God will have Israel released; Pharaoh opposes it, and the trial is, whose word shall stand. See how jealous God is for his people. When the year of his redeemed has come, he will give Egypt for their ransom; that kingdom shall be ruined, rather than Israel shall not be delivered. See how reasonable God's demands are. Whatever he calls for, it is but his own: They are my people, therefore let them go. 2. He describes the plague that should come, if he refused, Exo 9:2, Exo 9:3. The hand of the Lord immediately, without the stretching out of Aaron's hand, is upon the cattle, many of which, some of all kinds, should die by a sort of pestilence. This was greatly to the loss of the owners: they had made Israel poor, and now God would make them poor. Note, The hand of God is to be acknowledged even in the sickness and death of cattle, or other damage sustained in them; for a sparrow falls not to the ground without our Father. 3. As an evidence of the special hand of God in it, and of his particular favour to his own people, he foretels that none of their cattle should die, though they breathed in the same air and drank of the same water with the Egyptians' cattle: The Lord shall sever, Exo 9:4. Note, When God's judgments are abroad, though they may fall both on the righteous and the wicked, yet God makes such a distinction that they are not the same to the one that they are to the other. See Isa 27:7. The providence of God is to be acknowledged with thankfulness in the life of the cattle, for he preserveth man and beast, Psa 36:6. 4. To make the warning the more remarkable, the time is fixed (Exo 9:5): Tomorrow it shall be done. We know not what any day will bring forth, and therefore we cannot say what we will do tomorrow, but it is not so with God.
II. The plague itself inflicted. The cattle died, Exo 9:6. Note, The creature is made subject to vanity by the sin of man, being liable, according to its capacity, both to serve his wickedness and to share in his punishment, as in the universal deluge. Rom 8:20, Rom 8:22. Pharaoh and the Egyptians sinned; but the sheep, what had they done? Yet they are plagued. See Jer 12:4, For the wickedness of the land, the beasts are consumed. The Egyptians afterwards, and (some think) now, worshipped their cattle; it was among them that the Israelites learned to make a god of a calf: in this therefore the plague here spoken of meets with them. Note, What we make an idol of it is just with God to remove from us, or embitter to us. See Isa 19:1.
III. The distinction put between the cattle of the Egyptians and the Israelites' cattle, according to the word of God: Not one of the cattle of the Israelites died, Exo 9:6, Exo 9:7. Does God take care of oxen? Yes, he does; his providence extends itself to the meanest of his creatures. But it is written also for our sakes, that, trusting in God, and making him our refuge, we may not be afraid of the pestilence that walketh in darkness, no, not though thousands fall at our side, Psa 91:6, Psa 91:7. Pharaoh sent to see if the cattle of the Israelites were infected, not to satisfy his conscience, but only to gratify his curiosity, or with design, by way of reprisal, to repair his own losses out of their stocks; and, having no good design in the enquiry, the report brought to him made no impression upon him, but, on the contrary, his heart was hardened. Note, To those that are wilfully blind, even those methods of conviction which are ordained to life prove a savour of death unto death.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 9:7 profoundly illustrates Pharaoh's unyielding defiance in the face of overwhelming divine evidence. Following the devastating fifth plague, which decimated Egyptian livestock but miraculously spared every animal belonging to the Israelites, Pharaoh dispatched observers to verify the distinction. Despite the irrefutable proof of God's precise power and His protective covenant with Israel, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, solidifying his refusal to release the people, thereby escalating the divine judgment and human rebellion.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is a pivotal moment following the fifth plague, the severe pestilence on Egyptian livestock, detailed in Exodus 9:1-6. Prior to this plague, the Lord had explicitly declared through Moses that He would make a distinction between the livestock of Egypt and the livestock of Israel, ensuring that not one of the Israelites' animals would die. Pharaoh's act of "sending" to verify this claim underscores the miraculous and undeniable nature of the plague. His subsequent hardening of heart directly sets the stage for the increasingly severe judgments that follow, including the plagues of boils (Exodus 9:8-12) and hail (Exodus 9:13-35), demonstrating the escalating conflict between divine sovereignty and human stubbornness that permeates the Exodus narrative.
Historical & Cultural Context: Ancient Egypt was a polytheistic society, and its pharaoh was considered a divine king, a living god, embodying the power and stability of the nation. Livestock was a crucial component of the Egyptian economy, providing food, labor, and sacrificial animals for their gods. The targeted destruction of their livestock, while Israel's remained untouched, was not merely an economic blow but a direct assault on the perceived power of Egyptian deities and the pharaoh himself. This plague, like others, challenged the authority of specific Egyptian gods, such as Apis (the bull god) or Hathor (the cow goddess), by demonstrating the Lord's supreme power over life and death, and His ability to execute precise judgment. Pharaoh's inquiry and subsequent hardening of heart must be understood within this framework of a ruler who believed himself divine and was unwilling to concede to the God of a slave people, even when faced with overwhelming evidence.
Key Themes: Exodus 9:7 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Exodus. Firstly, it highlights the theme of Divine Distinction, where God visibly separates His people from their oppressors, providing protection amidst judgment. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of Pharaoh's Hardened Heart, a recurring motif that illustrates human rebellion against divine authority and the spiritual consequences of persistent obstinacy, as seen throughout Exodus 7, Exodus 8, Exodus 9, Exodus 10, Exodus 11. Thirdly, it underscores God's Sovereignty and Justice, demonstrating that even human defiance cannot thwart His ultimate plan for liberation and that His judgments are precise, purposeful, and designed to reveal His glory to all nations, fulfilling His promise to make His name known. This verse is a critical step in the unfolding drama of God's redemptive work.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
"And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead.": This clause highlights Pharaoh's investigative action and the undeniable outcome. Pharaoh, perhaps skeptical or seeking empirical validation, dispatched his own people to verify Moses' claim. The result, "not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead," was a profound, visible miracle. This absolute distinction—the complete decimation of Egyptian livestock contrasted with the total preservation of Israel's—served as irrefutable proof of the Lord's unique sovereignty, His faithfulness to His covenant people, and His ability to execute precise judgment while simultaneously providing specific protection. This divine demarcation was not merely a side effect but a deliberate act designed to manifest God's glory and demonstrate His unique identity as the one true God to both Egyptians and Israelites, leaving no room for doubt about His power.
"And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.": Despite the overwhelming and verifiable evidence, Pharaoh's response was not repentance or submission, but increased obstinacy. The phrase "the heart of Pharaoh was hardened" signifies a stubborn refusal to yield, a spiritual insensitivity, or a deliberate obstinacy. While previous verses state that God would harden Pharaoh's heart (e.g., Exodus 4:21 and Exodus 7:3), this particular instance in Exodus 9:7 is often understood to emphasize Pharaoh's own agency in his continued defiance. His heart became heavy with resistance, rather than being softened by the overwhelming evidence of God's power. This interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is a profound theological theme in the Exodus story, illustrating that while God works out His purposes, human beings are accountable for their choices to resist or obey His revealed will. Pharaoh's continued refusal to "let the people go" directly led to further, more severe plagues.
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Contrast is paramount, juxtaposing the death of Egyptian livestock with the complete preservation of Israelite animals, powerfully emphasizing God's selective judgment and protection. This stark difference serves as Evidence of God's power, making Pharaoh's subsequent actions even more culpable. The phrase "the heart of Pharaoh was hardened" is a form of Metonymy, where "heart" represents Pharaoh's entire inner being—his will, intellect, and emotions—indicating a profound spiritual state of unyielding resistance. This hardening is also a recurring Motif throughout the Exodus narrative, highlighting the escalating tension and the theme of human obstinacy versus divine sovereignty. Finally, the entire sequence of plagues, culminating in Pharaoh's continued defiance, serves as Foreshadowing, signaling the inevitability of more severe judgments and the ultimate, climactic confrontation at the Red Sea.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 9:7 is a powerful theological statement on divine sovereignty, human responsibility, and the nature of God's justice. It demonstrates God's absolute control over creation and His ability to execute precise, targeted judgments while simultaneously extending meticulous protection to His covenant people. Pharaoh's continued hardening, despite undeniable proof, underscores the perilous nature of resisting God's revealed will. This verse is not merely a historical account but a profound lesson on the consequences of spiritual obstinacy and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through both judgment and salvation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 9:7 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Firstly, it provides immense reassurance of God's unwavering faithfulness and His sovereign ability to protect and provide for His people, even amidst widespread trouble or judgment in the world. We are reminded that our security is not in our circumstances, but in the steadfast character of our God, who makes a clear distinction between those who are His and those who are not. Secondly, the verse serves as a stark warning against persistent rebellion and stubbornness in the face of divine truth. Pharaoh's tragic story illustrates that when individuals or nations refuse to acknowledge God's power and obey His will, their hearts can become progressively hardened, leading to increasingly severe and self-destructive consequences. This passage encourages us to cultivate a posture of humility, repentance, and obedience when confronted with God's revealed truth, rather than mirroring Pharaoh's ultimately ruinous resistance. It calls us to examine our own hearts for areas of stubbornness and to yield to the Lord's leading, trusting in His perfect plan and righteous judgments.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Pharaoh send to verify the plague's effects on Israelite livestock?
Answer: Pharaoh sent to verify the plague's effects because the distinction between Egyptian and Israelite livestock was a direct, audacious claim made by Moses, attributing precise, selective power to the Lord. As a divine king in his own right, Pharaoh likely harbored skepticism or felt compelled to empirically confirm such an unprecedented and specific divine intervention. His action indicates a need for tangible proof, but the undeniable evidence only served to confirm God's miraculous power and unique sovereignty, making his subsequent hardening of heart even more profound and inexcusable.
What does it mean that Pharaoh's heart was "hardened" in this verse, and who is responsible?
Answer: In Exodus 9:7, the hardening of Pharaoh's heart (from the Hebrew kâbad, meaning "to be heavy" or "dull") implies his own active resistance and stubborn refusal to yield, despite overwhelming evidence of God's power. While the text elsewhere states that God would harden Pharaoh's heart (e.g., Exodus 4:21 and Exodus 7:3), this instance emphasizes Pharaoh's personal agency. His heart became "heavy" or "dull," indicating a deliberate choice to remain obstinate and spiritually insensitive to God's clear commands and demonstrations of power. This highlights the complex interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in the Exodus narrative.
How does this plague, and Pharaoh's reaction, contribute to the overall narrative of Exodus?
Answer: The fifth plague and Pharaoh's reaction significantly advance the Exodus narrative by intensifying the conflict between God and Pharaoh. It highlights God's increasing power, precision in judgment, and His unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel, while simultaneously showcasing Pharaoh's unyielding defiance. Each subsequent plague becomes more severe, demonstrating God's justice and sovereignty, and Pharaoh's continued hardening ensures that God's glory will be fully revealed through the ultimate act of liberation at the Red Sea, culminating in the complete triumph of the Lord over all the gods of Egypt, as prophesied in Exodus 12:12.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 9:7 profoundly foreshadows Christ in several significant ways. The divine distinction and protection afforded to Israel's livestock, sparing them from the plague that decimated Egypt, prefigure the ultimate spiritual distinction and protection offered to those who are "in Christ." Just as God's judgment fell upon Egypt while His people were miraculously preserved, so too does Christ's atoning work on the cross bear the full weight of judgment for sin, offering salvation and eternal protection to all who believe, shielding them from the wrath to come (Romans 5:9). Pharaoh's hardened heart, representing humanity's pervasive rebellion against God's authority, finds its ultimate answer in Christ. Unlike Pharaoh, who stubbornly resisted the divine will, Jesus willingly yielded to the Father's perfect plan, even unto death on the cross (Philippians 2:8), to break the power of sin and transform hearts of stone into hearts of flesh, responsive to God's grace and truth (Ezekiel 36:26). Christ is the ultimate Deliverer, accomplishing a far greater exodus from the bondage of sin and death, leading His people into true freedom and life in Him (John 8:36).