Exodus 8
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Let my people go - God, in great mercy to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, gives them notice of the evils he intended to bring upon them if they continued in their obstinacy. Having had therefore such warning, the evil might have been prevented by a timely humiliation and return to God.
Open source ↗PLAGUE OF FROGS. (Exo 8:1-15) the Lord spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh--The duration of the first plague for a whole week must have satisfied all that it was produced not by any accidental causes, but by the agency of omnipotent power. As a judgment of God, however, it produced no good effect, and Moses was commanded to wait on the king and threaten him, in the event of his continued obstinacy, with the infliction of a new and different plague. As Pharaoh's answer is not given, it may be inferred to have been unfavorable, for the rod was again raised.
Open source ↗And the Lord spake unto Moses,.... Either whilst the plague upon the waters continued, or immediately upon the removal of it: go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, thus saith the Lord, let my people go, that they may serve me; mentioning neither time nor place, where, when, and how long they should serve him, for which their dismission was required, but insist on it in general.
Open source ↗The plague of Frogs, or the second plague, also proceeded from the Nile, and had its natural origin in the putridity of the slimy Nile water, whereby the marsh waters especially became filled with thousands of frogs. צפרדּע is the small Nile frog, the Dofda of the Egyptians, called rana Mosaica or Nilotica by Seetzen, which appears in large numbers as soon as the waters recede. These frogs (הצּפרדּע in Exo 8:6, used collectively) became a penal miracle from the fact that they came out of the water in unparalleled numbers, in consequence of the stretching out of Aaron's staff over the waters of the Nile, as had been foretold to the king, and that they not only penetrated into the houses and inner rooms ("bed-chamber"), and crept into the domestic utensils, the beds (מטּה), the ovens, and the kneading-troughs (not the "dough" as Luther renders it), but even got upon the men themselves.
Open source ↗Pharaoh is here first threatened and then plagued with frogs, as afterwards, in this chapter, with lice and flies, little despicable inconsiderable animals, and yet by their vast numbers rendered sore plagues to the Egyptians. God could have plagued them with lions, or bears, or wolves, or with vultures or other birds of prey; but he chose to do it by these contemptible instruments. 1. That he might magnify his own power. He is Lord of the hosts of the whole creation, has them all at his beck, and makes what use he pleases of them. Some have thought that the power of God is shown as much in the making of an ant as in the making of an elephant; so is his providence in serving his own purposes by the least creatures as effectually as by the strongest, that the excellency of the power, in judgment as well as mercy, may be of God, and not of the creature. See what reason we have to stand in awe of this God, who, when he pleases, can arm the smallest parts of the creation against us. If God be our enemy, all the creatures are at war with us. 2. That he might humble Pharaoh's pride, and chastise his insolence. What a mortification must it needs be to this haughty monarch to see himself brought to his knees, and forced to submit, by such despicable means! Every child is, ordinarily, able to deal with those invaders, and can triumph over them; yet now so numerous were their troops, and so vigorous their assaults, that Pharaoh, with all his chariots and horsemen, could make no head against them. Thus he poureth contempt upon princes that offer contempt to him and his sovereignty, and makes those who will not own him above them to know that, when he pleases, he can make the meanest creature to insult them and trample upon them. As to the plague of frogs we may observe, I. How it…
Open source ↗8:1-15 The second plague was the plague of frogs (8:2). The Egyptians gave special reverence to amphibians because of their ability to live in two different worlds; Egyptians were deeply concerned with survival in the next world, after death. God showed that frogs have no special hold on life. This plague is sometimes said to have been a natural result of whatever happened to make the Nile River uninhabitable. However, the extent of the plague was more than a natural result.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.
Open source ↗מָאֵן (mâʼên, H3986) — unwilling שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) נָגַף (nâgaph, H5062) — to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease) גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the… צְפַרְדֵּעַ (tsᵉphardêaʻ, H6854) — a marsh-leaper, i.e. frog
Open source ↗יְאֹר (yᵉʼôr, H2975) — a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt,… שָׁרַץ (shârats, H8317) — to wriggle, i.e. (by implication) swarm or abound צְפַרְדֵּעַ (tsᵉphardêaʻ, H6854) — a marsh-leaper, i.e. frog עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) חֶדֶר (cheder, H2315) — an apartment (usually literal) מִשְׁכָּב (mishkâb, H4904) — a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse מִטָּה (miṭṭâh, H4296) — a bed (as extended) forsleeping or eating; by analogy, a sofa, litter or bier עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… תַּנּוּר (tannûwr, H8574) — a fire-pot מִשְׁאֶרֶת (mishʼereth, H4863) — a kneading-trough (in which the dough rises)
Open source ↗צְפַרְדֵּעַ (tsᵉphardêaʻ, H6854) — a marsh-leaper, i.e. frog עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh, H4294) — a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising… נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,… יְאֹר (yᵉʼôr, H2975) — a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt,… אֲגַם (ʼăgam, H98) — a marsh; hence a rush (as growing in swamps); hence a stockade of reeds צְפַרְדֵּעַ (tsᵉphardêaʻ, H6854) — a marsh-leaper, i.e. frog עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
Open source ↗אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt צְפַרְדֵּעַ (tsᵉphardêaʻ, H6854) — a marsh-leaper, i.e. frog עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗חַרְטֹם (charṭôm, H2748) — a horoscopist (as drawing magical lines or circles) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application לָט (lâṭ, H3909) — properly, covered, i.e. secret; by implication, incantation; also secrecy or (adverb)… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… צְפַרְדֵּעַ (tsᵉphardêaʻ, H6854) — a marsh-leaper, i.e. frog אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
Open source ↗פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָתַר (ʻâthar, H6279) — to burn incense in worship, i.e. intercede (reciprocally, listen to prayer) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) צְפַרְדֵּעַ (tsᵉphardêaʻ, H6854) — a marsh-leaper, i.e. frog עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings פָּאַר (pâʼar, H6286) — to gleam, i.e. (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast; also to explain (i.e.… מָתַי (mâthay, H4970) — properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle… עָתַר (ʻâthar, H6279) — to burn incense in worship, i.e. intercede (reciprocally, listen to prayer) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… צְפַרְדֵּעַ (tsᵉphardêaʻ, H6854) — a marsh-leaper, i.e. frog בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שָׁאַר (shâʼar, H7604) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant יְאֹר (yᵉʼôr, H2975) — a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt,…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מָחָר (mâchâr, H4279) — properly, deferred, i.e. the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗צְפַרְדֵּעַ (tsᵉphardêaʻ, H6854) — a marsh-leaper, i.e. frog סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שָׁאַר (shâʼar, H7604) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant יְאֹר (yᵉʼôr, H2975) — a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt,…
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings צָעַק (tsâʻaq, H6817) — to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause צְפַרְדֵּעַ (tsᵉphardêaʻ, H6854) — a marsh-leaper, i.e. frog שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver צְפַרְדֵּעַ (tsᵉphardêaʻ, H6854) — a marsh-leaper, i.e. frog מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat)
Open source ↗צָבַר (tsâbar, H6651) — to aggregate חֹמֶר (chômer, H2563) — properly, a bubbling up, i.e. of water, a wave; of earth, mire or clay (cement); also a… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) בָּאַשׁ (bâʼash, H887) — to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
Open source ↗Cross-references
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The elders of Israel will listen to what you say, and you must go with them to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’
“I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”
After that, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’”
and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’”
Then say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to tell you: Let My people go, so that they may worship Me in the wilderness. But you have not listened until now.