Exodus 8:2

2 If you refuse to let them go, I will strike all your territory with frogs.

Exodus 8:2 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 8:2

And if thou refuse to let them go
Will not obey the orders:

I will smite all thy borders with frogs;
he gives him warning of the blow before he strikes, which shows his clemency and goodness, his patience and longsuffering; and this he did, not only that he might have time and space for repentance, and thereby avoid the blow; but that when it came, he might be sensible it was not by chance, or owing to second causes, but was from the Lord himself.

I will smite all thy borders with frogs:
fill the whole land of Egypt with them, to the utmost borders thereof on every side. Some ^F17 say the word signifies a large Egyptian fish, which in the Arabic tongue is called Altamsach, that is, a crocodile, with which the Nile abounded; but such a creature could not invade and attack them in the manner as is after related.

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 R. Chananeel apud Abendana, and some in Aben Ezra in Ioc.

Exodus 8:2 In-Context

1 ADONAI said to Moshe, "Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, 'Here is what ADONAI says: "Let my people go, so that they can worship me.

2 If you refuse to let them go, I will strike all your territory with frogs.

3 The river will swarm with frogs. They will go up, enter your palace and go into your bedroom, onto your bed. They will enter the houses of your servants and your people and go into your ovens and kneading bowls.

4 The frogs will climb all over you, your people and your servants."'"

5 ADONAI said to Moshe, "Say to Aharon, 'Reach out your hand with your staff over the rivers, canals and ponds; and cause frogs to come up onto the land of Egypt.'"