Bible Commentary

Exodus 8:21

The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 8:21

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Swarms of flies is an unfortunate translation of a single substantive in the singular number, accompanied by the article. A mixture, etc; is nearly as bad. The writer must mean some one definite species of animal, which he called "the 'arob."

On the probable identification of the animal, see the Introductory paragraph to this Chapter. And also the ground. The 'arob, like the frogs, was to plague them both inside their houses and outside, but especially inside.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 8:1-39Three plagues-frogs, lice, flies. On the precise character of these three plagues, see the exposition. They are to be viewed in their relation to the Egyptians.— 1. As an intensification of the natural plagues of the la…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Exodus 8:20-32Pharaoh was early at his false devotions to the river; and shall we be for more sleep and more slumber, when any service to the Lord is to be done? The Egyptians and the Hebrews were to be marked in the plague of flies.…Matthew HenrycommentaryMatthew Henry on Exodus 8:20-32Here is the story of the plague of flies, in which we are told, I. How it was threatened, like that of frogs, before it was inflicted. Moses is directed (Exodus 8:20) to rise early in the morning, to meet Pharaoh when h…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 8:20-32The plague of flies. This torment is thought by many to have embraced winged pests of all kinds. In this case, it would include the mosquito, cattle-fly, beetles, dog-flies, and numbers of others. But see the exposition…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 8:20-24EXPOSITION THE FOURTH PLAGUE. It has been noticed that—setting apart the last and most terrible of the plagues, which stands as it were by itself—the remainder divide themselves into three groups of three each—two in ea…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 8:20-32The Fourth Plague. I. THE SUPERSTITION OF EGYPT IS MADE ITS SCOURGE. 1. The land was covered with the sacred beetle. It swarmed upon the ground and in their homes. No movement was possible without crushing or treading u…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 8:20-32The fourth plague-the flies: the immunities of Goshen. The mere change from one chastising agent to another is not a matter to be dwelt on in considering this plague. We note that God makes the change from gnats to flie…Joseph S. Exell and contributors