Exodus 9:5

5 The LORD has already set the time for the plague to begin. He has declared that he will strike the land tomorrow.’”

Exodus 9:5 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 9:5

And the Lord appointed a set time
For the coming of this plague, that it might plainly appear it came from him, and was not owing to any natural cause: saying, tomorrow the Lord shall do this thing in the land;
thus giving him time and space, as he had often done before, to consider the matter well, repent of his obstinacy, and dismiss the people of Israel, and so prevent the plague coming upon the cattle, as threatened.

Exodus 9:5 In-Context

3 the hand of the LORD will strike all your livestock—your horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep, and goats—with a deadly plague.

4 But the LORD will again make a distinction between the livestock of the Israelites and that of the Egyptians. Not a single one of Israel’s animals will die!

5 The LORD has already set the time for the plague to begin. He has declared that he will strike the land tomorrow.’”

6 And the LORD did just as he had said. The next morning all the livestock of the Egyptians died, but the Israelites didn’t lose a single animal.

7 Pharaoh sent his officials to investigate, and they discovered that the Israelites had not lost a single animal! But even so, Pharaoh’s heart remained stubborn, and he still refused to let the people go.