Exodus 8:7-17

7 The magicians did in like manner with their enchantments, and brought up frogs on the land of Mitzrayim.

8 Then Par`oh called for Moshe and Aharon, and said, "Entreat the LORD, that he take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the LORD."

9 Moshe said to Par`oh, "I give you the honor of setting the time that I should pray for you, and for your servants, and for your people, that the frogs be destroyed from you and your houses, and remain in the river only."

10 He said, "Tomorrow." He said, "Be it according to your word, that you may know that there is none like the LORD our God.

11 The frogs shall depart from you, and from your houses, and from your servants, and from your people. They shall remain in the river only."

12 Moshe and Aharon went out from Par`oh, and Moshe cried to the LORD concerning the frogs which he had brought on Par`oh.

13 The LORD did according to the word of Moshe, and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courts, and out of the fields.

14 They gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank.

15 But when Par`oh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart, and didn't listen to them, as the LORD had spoken.

16 The LORD said to Moshe, "Tell Aharon, 'Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the eretz, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Mitzrayim.'"

17 They did so; and Aharon stretched out his hand with his rod, and struck the dust of the eretz, and there were lice on man, and on animal; all the dust of the eretz became lice throughout all the land of Mitzrayim.

Exodus 8:7-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 8

In this chapter Pharaoh is threatened with the plague of frogs, in case he refused to let Israel go, which accordingly was brought upon him, Ex 8:1-6 and though the magicians did something similar to it, yet these were so troublesome to Pharaoh, that he promised to let the people go, and sacrifice to God, if they removed; and a time being fixed for the removal of them, it was accordingly done at the entreaty of Moses and Aaron, Ex 8:7-14 but there being a respite, Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and the plague of lice is ordered, and which was executed; and though this the magicians essayed to do, and could not, but owned it to be the finger of God, yet Pharaoh's heart was hardened, Ex 8:15-19 wherefore he is threatened with a swarm of flies, which should not infest Goshen, only the places where the Egyptians dwelt, and it was so, Ex 8:20-24 upon which Pharaoh called for Moses, and declared himself willing the people would sacrifice in the land; but this not being satisfactory, he agreed they should go into the wilderness, but not so far; and on the account of the entreaty of Moses, the plague was removed; but still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not let the people go, Ex 8:25-32.