Tyndale Open Study NotesExodus 9

The fifth plague was against the livestock. As with the withholding of flies from the area where the Hebrews lived (8:22–23), the distinction between the livestock of the Israelites and that of the Egyptians (9:4) shows that a natural explanation of this event is insufficient, even if the previous plagues contributed.

The Egyptians, like many in the ancient Near East, worshiped the ram, the goat, and the bull as representing power and fertility. These animals had no power before the Lord, in whom true power resides.

• Your livestock refers specifically to field animals. Other animals would get boils in the next plague.

• Not every single livestock animal died. Some remained to protect from the hail of the seventh plague (9:6; 9:20).

Prediction again played an important role. God announced what would happen before it took place.

These events were not random. They were directed by God, who rules over all that happens.

The sixth plague caused painful boils on people and animals. The magicians could not copy this sign and could not protect themselves. They were completely defeated.

Plagues five and six seemed to end on their own because Pharaoh did not plead for them to stop.

The seventh plague was a hailstorm (9:18). It rains in Egypt only a few days each year. Hail and thunderstorms are rare. This storm would have terrified them. This may explain the increased theological reflection associated with it. The plague destroyed the flax and barley crops (9:31).

God explained the purpose of the plagues to Pharaoh. They were meant to show that no one is like God in the entire world (9:14; see also Isaiah 46:9; Jeremiah 10:6–7). God did not destroy Pharaoh and Egypt in one strike, even though he could have. Instead, he spared them (Exodus 9:16).

God gave them a chance to recognize his power. But Pharaoh refused to humble himself and continued to oppress the Lord's people (9:17).

In Romans 9:17, Paul quotes from the Greek version of this verse when he speaks about God’s rule over all things.

Some of Pharaoh’s officials began to understand what was happening. They learned from what they had seen and took steps to protect themselves.

But others followed Pharaoh’s example. They refused to submit. Pride often controls a person’s thinking and overrules clear judgment.

The hail was not a normal storm. It was unusual in how wide the storm spread and what it damaged.

It did not fall everywhere in the same way. It struck some places but not others (see study note on 9:1–7).

Pharaoh had to face a clear conclusion. The evidence was strong and could not be ignored.

When he continued in pride, it was not just a mistake. It was sin.

There is no one like the Lord in all the earth, and all the earth belongs to God (9:14). This was the clear message of the plagues. The Egyptians saw this message, but they struggled to accept it.