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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comKeil and Delitzsch Commentary - Exodus 9:25 - 9:25
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The expressions, “every herb,” and “every tree,” are not to be taken absolutely, just as in Exo 9:6, as we may see from Exo 10:5. Storms are not common in Lower or Middle Egypt, but they occur most frequently between the months of December and April; and hail sometimes accompanies them, though not with great severity. In themselves, therefore, thunder, lightning, and hail were not unheard of. They also came at the time of year when they usually occur, namely, when the cattle were in the field, i.e., between January and April, the only period in which cattle are turned out for pasture (for proofs, see Hengstenberg, Egypt and the Books of Moses). The supernatural character of this plague was manifested, not only in its being predicted by Moses, and in the exemption of the land of Goshen, but more especially in the terrible fury of the hail-storm, which made a stronger impression upon Pharaoh than all the previous plagues. For he sent for Moses and Aaron, and confessed to them, “I have sinned this time: Jehovah is righteous; I and my people are the sinners” (Exo 9:27.). But the very limitation “this time” showed that his repentance did not go very deep, and that his confession was far more the effect of terror caused by the majesty of God, which was manifested in the fearful thunder and lightning, than a genuine acknowledgment of his guilt. This is apparent also from the words which follow: “Pray to Jehovah for me, and let it be enough (רַב satis, as in Gen 45:28) of the being (מִהְיֹת) of the voices of God and of the hail;” i.e., there has been enough thunder and hail, they may cease now.