Chapter Nine
The Fifth Plague: Egyptian Livestock Die
9:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them, 3 behold, the hand of the LORD will fall with a very severe plague upon your livestock that are in the field, the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks.
This next plague is described by God as a “very severe plague.” The Hebrew word for ‘very’ is ‘me’õḏ’,[1] referring to something being very great, the Hebrew word for ‘severe’ is ‘kā·ḇēḏ’,[2] referring to something very great and grievous.[3] The word translated here as ‘plague’ is ‘dě’·ḇěr’,[4] which is most often translated ‘pestilence’ (including later in this chapter in verse 15). So, combing these words, God is saying that this fifth plague will consist of a very, very bad pestilence that will affect the livestock in the fields, the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks. If God is saying it is going to be bad, it must be absolutely horrific. It is important to note that God specifically targeted, “the livestock that are in the field,” as there will be some animals that survive, some will later be inflicted by the sixth plague and others will need to be sheltered in the seventh plague.
Some scholars argue that camels would not have been in Egypt at this time. However, evidence from excavations and other archaeological findings record the existence of camels in Egypt long before this period. While it is believed that the idea of domesticating a camel originated in the Mesopotamia region, many were used as a beast of burden to carry trade down to Egypt, prior to this time.
9:4 But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing of all that belongs to the people of Israel shall die.” ’ ”
Just like what He did with the plague of flies, God prevented this plague from affecting the Israelites. Seeing animals in one region alive while others lie dead nearby, would create a very effective, but graphic, example of God’s power and sovereignty for people to see. As discussed earlier, the Egyptians worshiped animals[5] including cattle (the deity known as Apis is one example), again demonstrating God’s authority over so-called gods and goddesses.
9:5 And the LORD set a time, saying, “Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land.” 6 And the next day the LORD did this thing. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one of the livestock of the people of Israel died. 7 And Pharaoh sent, and behold, not one of the livestock of Israel was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.
The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘livestock’, is ‘miq·ně(h)’,[6] which not only refers to livestock, but also property, a major source of wealth. Since much of the Egyptian economy was based on livestock, this single plague could have easily caused it to collapse.
Undoubtedly feeling the pressure from his people, Pharaoh decides to send someone to see if what Moses said about the Israelite livestock remaining unharmed was true. If it was not true, he could say it was a natural plague of disease, but he could not make that statement. His heart was hardened and still refused to let the Israelites go.
The Sixth Plague: Boils on Man and Beast
9:8 And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from the kiln, and let Moses throw them in the air in the sight of Pharaoh. 9 It shall become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and become boils breaking out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt.”
Another plague without warning, here God has Moses in the sight of Pharaoh, throw two handfuls of soot from a kiln (furnace) into the air. It would then become fine dust that would cover all of Egypt. As it contacted the skin of man or animal (the Hebrew, ‘behēmāh’,[7] a land animal, often a beast of burden), it would produce boils on their skin.
Some commentators mention how Egypt regularly experiences severe winds, some lasting many days, while others only a few hours. This was no natural windstorm; this took two handfuls of soot and lifted the dust throughout Egypt. Besides it not being a natural phenomenon, it would have been obvious to anyone watching that it was supernatural in origin.
9:10 So they took soot from the kiln and stood before Pharaoh. And Moses threw it in the air, and it became boils breaking out in sores on man and beast. 11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils came upon the magicians and upon all the Egyptians. 12 But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had spoken to Moses.
Moses did as God instructed, and boils appeared on both man and animal alike. It would make sense that the magicians would have been near Pharaoh during each of the plagues, however this is the first time since the third plague we read about them. Since their religion required absolute cleanliness,[8] being covered with boils prevented them from standing before Moses. Apparently, they tried to encourage Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, as the text says, “and he did not listen to them.” Since there were no demands by Moses (as this was an unannounced plague), the only other group would have been the magicians.
The Seventh Plague: Thunder, Hail and Fire
9:13 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 14 For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth.
This plague has a familiar beginning with the same request, but the tone of the demand changes rapidly with the words, “I will send all my plagues on you…” This is the first appearance of the Hebrew word ‘mǎg·gē·pā(h)’[9] in Scripture, referring to a disastrous blow by God and is often used regarding the judgment of God (see Numbers 14:37; 1 Samuel 6:4; 2 Samuel 24:21; Psalm 106:29-30; Zechariah 14:12-18). So that there will be no doubt that there is no one like God, all the deities of Egypt are nothing in comparison to the God of the Hebrews.
9:15 For by now I could have put out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth. 16 But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.
Many people either forget this point or never understand why God did these plagues. God did not need to do any of them, as He could have simply removed the Egyptians or killed them all with one plague. But we cannot forget that in Exodus He is establishing His people and, to establish His people, He must first establish who their God is and His authority over all things and people. The God of the Hebrews will be remembered for what took place in Egypt for a long time. God tells Pharaoh through Moses, that God gave him this position for this purpose, so that His name will be proclaimed in all the earth (remember Romans 13:1-7).
9:17 You are still exalting yourself against my people and will not let them go. 18 Behold, about this time tomorrow I will cause very heavy hail to fall, such as never has been in Egypt from the day it was founded until now.
God clearly states the issue, Pharaoh continues to exalt himself and refuses to listen to God. In nearly every dynasty of the Egyptian Pharaohs, the Egyptians considered their Pharaohs divinely selected to rule. Some even proclaimed to be gods themselves. Having this one-sided “duel” between God and a man who considers himself all-important and all-powerful, probably would infuriate Pharaoh, but if he thinks he is still holding the winning hand, he won’t give in to God’s demands.
So now, God will show His dominion over another realm, the weather. Hail is extremely rare in Egypt. This is the first reference to hail in the Bible, which is often utilized by God as a form of judgment (see Joshua 10:11; Isaiah 30:30; Ezekiel 13:11-13; Revelation 8:7; 11:19). There are some that relate death by hail to be the equivalent of being “stoned to death” by God.
9:19 Now therefore send, get your livestock and all that you have in the field into safe shelter, for every man and beast that is in the field and is not brought home will die when the hail falls on them.” ’ ” 20 Then whoever feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh hurried his slaves and his livestock into the houses, 21 but whoever did not pay attention to the word of the LORD left his slaves and his livestock in the field.
God gives Pharaoh and the Egyptians a warning to get everyone under cover. If a family still had livestock alive, they needed to get them into a shelter. God made it clear that if anyone was hit by hail, they will die. By now it would seem that God’s warning would be heeded, and some did listen and quickly went to assure the safety of their families, servants and animals. This is the first indication that God’s words had any effect on the Egyptians. But then, even after seeing the devastation of the earlier plagues, there were some that refused to listen and did not heed the warning.
One of the more remarkable attributes of mankind is their ability to deny God, even when shown strong evidence. This characteristic of humanity is more often the result of education and upbringing. For example, if the religion you grew up with clearly stated one thing (such as the Pharaoh always has the last word and should be always followed regardless of the available facts), you embrace that idea as being true. This ‘embrace’ of blindly following religion is still prevalent today. However, since there is only one truth, God always prevails. Sadly, this often results in some people choosing incorrectly and being condemned.
9:22 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, on man and beast and every plant of the field, in the land of Egypt.” 23 Then Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. 24 There was hail and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very heavy hail, such as had never been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
It makes sense that hail would affect man, beast, and plant, but this is first mention that plants would not be spared either, making this plague cross over three realms:
It must have been a dramatic scene as Moses stretched out his staff (note this is not Aaron’s staff) and thunder, hail, and fire rain down on Earth. Many believe that the fire mentioned is actually lightning, and it could have been. However, we also need to recognize that the word for fire (Hebrew ‘ēš’,[10] almost always translated fire) is most often used in relationship to judgment as it is used here. We are then informed that the hail was heavier than any hail experienced in Egypt since it became a nation (information undoubtedly provided by God).
9:25 The hail struck down everything that was in the field in all the land of Egypt, both man and beast. And the hail struck down every plant of the field and broke every tree of the field. 26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the people of Israel were, was there no hail.
The hail destroyed everything just as God warned, apart from the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, proving once again that this plague was certainly not a natural plague.
9:27 Then Pharaoh sent and called Moses and Aaron and said to them, “This time I have sinned; the LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. 28 Plead with the LORD, for there has been enough of God’s thunder and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.”
As a result of this plague, Pharaoh finally confesses that he had indeed sinned, something he had not done in the past. He further states that YHWH is right, and he and his fellow Egyptians were wrong. Once again, he asks Moses to plead with YHWH as he again says he will let the Israelites go. It is interesting to note that he adds, “and you shall stay no longer.” Does that mean he will be willing to let them go permanently? Sadly, no.
9:29 Moses said to him, “As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will stretch out my hands to the LORD. The thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth is the LORD’s. 30 But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet fear the LORD God.”
Moses tells Pharaoh that as soon as he is out of the city, he will lift his hands to YHWH and the storm will stop just so he would understand that all of earth belongs to YHWH. Knowing Pharaoh’s heart and the reason why God is performing these plagues, Moses mentions before leaving that he knows that Pharaoh has no intention of obeying God.
Several times now the text refers to Moses leaving the Pharaoh’s presence before starting to pray, and here the text states that Moses needed to leave the city to intercede in prayer. The commentary on the book of Exodus written by Shlomo Yitzchaki (1040-1105 AD, widely known by the acronym of ‘Rashi’) states that the Moses could not pray within the city because it was full of idols.[11]
9:31 (The flax and the barley were struck down, for the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bud. 32 But the wheat and the emmer were not struck down, for they are late in coming up.)
This parenthetical set of verses gives us some details about the damage to Egypt’s crops. Both the flax and barley crops were destroyed. Flax was cultivated for fine linen, something that Egypt is still known for today. Barley was a valuable grain, often used to make bread for those who could not afford wheat. But both the wheat (Egypt’s primary crop) and emmer (a wheat-like grain) crops were not harmed. This information may help confirm what the approximate time of the year these encounters between Moses and Pharaoh took place.
As the departure of the Israelites took place in the spring, this passage has reference no doubt to the practice adopted in Egypt, as well as in India, of sowing grain partly in the months of September and October, and partly in spring, so that the wheat might easily be in blade at the same time that the barley and flax were more advanced.[12]
9:33 So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and stretched out his hands to the LORD, and the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain no longer poured upon the earth. 34 But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet again and hardened his heart, he and his servants. 35 So the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people of Israel go, just as the LORD had spoken through Moses.
Moses did just as he said he would do, he left the city and stretched out his hand to God and the storm stopped. Even the rain, although not mentioned before, stopped. However, just as Moses predicted, Pharaoh sinned yet again, and his heart was hardened against God and would not let the Israelites go.
⇐Previous Chapter (Introduction/Index) Next Chapter⇒
[1] Strong’s Hebrew 3966.
[2] Strong’s Hebrew 3515.
[3] See commentary under Genesis 48:8-12.
[4] Strong’s Hebrew 1698.
[5] See commentaries under Exodus 8:1-4 and after Exodus 8:26-27.
[6] Strong’s Hebrew 4735.
[7] Strong’s Hebrew 929.
[8] See commentary under Exodus 8:17-19.
[9] Strong’s Hebrew 4046.
[10] Strong’s Hebrew 784.
[11] Rashi on Exodus 9:29. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.sefaria.org/Rashi_on_Exodus.9.29?lang=bi
[12] M’Clintock, J., & Strong, J. (1891). Flax. In Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature (Vol. 3, p. 590). New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers.