Exodus 9. Written and compiled by Gary Kukis. Livestock, Boils and Hail Plagues

Transcription

1 Exodus 9 Written and compiled by Gary Kukis Exodus 9:1 35 Livestock, Boils and Hail Plagues These studies are designed for believers in Jesus Christ only. If you have exercised faith in Christ, then you are in the right place. If you have not, then you need to heed the words of our Lord, Who said, For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten [or, uniquely-born] Son, so that every [one] believing [or, trusting] in Him shall not perish, but shall be have eternal life! For God did not send His Son into the world so that He should judge the world, but so that the world shall be saved through Him. The one believing [or, trusting] in Him is not judged, but the one not believing has already been judged, because he has not believed in the Name of the only-begotten [or, uniquely-born] Son of God. (John 3:16 18). I am the Way and the Truth and the Life! No one comes to the Father except through [or, by means of] Me! (John 14:6). Every study of the Word of God ought to be preceded by a naming of your sins to God. This restores you to fellowship with God (1John 1:8 10). If there are people around, you would name these sins silently. If there is no one around, then it does not matter if you name them silently or whether you speak aloud. Document Navigation Preface and Quotations Outline of Chapter Charts, Graphics, Short Doctrines Doctrines Alluded to Dictionary of Terms Introduction and Text Chapter Summary Addendum A Complete Translation Verse Navigation Exodus 9:1 Exodus 9:2 3 Exodus 9:4 Exodus 9:5 Exodus 9:6 Exodus 9:7 Exodus 9:8 9 Exodus 9:10 11 Exodus 9:12 Exodus 9:13 14 Exodus 9:15 Exodus 9:16 Exodus 9:17 Exodus 9:18 Exodus 9:19 Exodus 9:20 21 Exodus 9:22 Exodus 9:23 24 Exodus 9:25 26 Exodus 9:27 28 Exodus 9:29 30 Exodus 9:31 32 Exodus 9:33 Exodus 9:34 35 Links to the word-by-word, verse-by-verse studies of Exodus (HTML) (PDF) (WPD) (that is what this document is). This incorporates 2 previous studies done in the book of Exodus. However, much of this material was thrown together without careful editing. Therefore, from time to time, there will be concepts and exegetical material which will be repeated, because there was no overall editing done once all of this material was combined. There is a second, less complete set of weekly lessons of Exodus (HTML) (PDF) (WPD). Every word of that study can be found in this word-by-word, verse-by-verse study. This study makes reference to a wide-range of sources. There are quotations from doctrinal teachers, of course; but from Catholic commentaries and from other sources as well. Wherever I found relevant truth, I quoted from it or was inspired by it. Even though it is clear that some churches have a better concept of our reason for being

2 Exodus Chapter 9 2 here, that does not mean that there is no truth to be found anywhere else. So, from time to time, I will quote from John Calvin, even though I do not subscribe to 5-point Calvinism; I will quote from some Catholic sources, even though I believe that they are very wrong regarding Mary, the pope, apostolic succession and other such doctrines. The intention is for this to be the most thorough and accurate study of Exodus available anywhere. Also, it is not necessary that you read the grey Hebrew exegesis tables. They are set apart from the rest of the study so that you can easily skip over them (based upon the suggestion of a friend). However, if you ever doubt the translation of a word, phrase or a verse, these translation tables are then available. Preface: The Bible Summary of Exodus 9 (in 140 characters or less): T. 1 There are many chapter commentaries on the book of Exodus. This will be the most extensive examination of Exodus 9, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text. Every attempt has been made to make this both a complete and self-contained study. Therefore, all references, vocabulary, and related concepts should be found within this extensive study. Easy access links to more in-depth studies of some vocabulary words, concepts and doctrines are also provided. Quotations: Outline of Chapter 9: vv. 1 vv. vv. vv. vv. Introduction Chapter Summary Addendum Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines: Preface Quotations Introduction Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Exodus 9 (by various commentators) Introduction Brief, but insightful observations of Exodus 9 (various commentators) Introduction Fundamental Questions About Exodus 9 Introduction The Prequel of Exodus 9 Introduction Introduction Introduction The Principals of Exodus 9 Introduction The Places of Exodus 9 Introduction By the Introduction Timeline for Exodus 9 Introduction A Synopsis of Exodus 9 Introduction Paragraph Divisions of Modern Translation for Exodus 9 1 From accessed June 26, 2017.

3 3 The Book of Exodus Introduction Introduction Introduction Changes additions and subtractions (for Exodus 9) Introduction v. v. v. v. v. v. v. 8 Filling in the Blanks for Exodus 9:8 12 v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. v. 35 The Heart v. v. Summary A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary Summary Why Exodus 9 is in the Word of God Summary What We Learn from Exodus 9 Summary Shmoop Summary of Exodus 9 Summary Edersheim Summarizes Exodus 9 Addendum Josephus History of this Time Period Addendum A Complete Translation of Exodus 9 Addendum Word Cloud from a Reasonably Literal Paraphrase of Exodus 9

4 Exodus Chapter 9 4 Addendum Word Cloud from Exegesis of Exodus 9 Chapter Outline Charts, Graphics, Short Doctrines Beginning of Document Doctrines Covered or Alluded to Chapters of the Bible Alluded to Definition of Terms Introduction and Text Addendum Exegetical Studies in Exodus Doctrines Covered or Alluded To Additional doctrines and links are found in Definition of Terms below. Chapters of the Bible Alluded To and/or Appropriately Exegeted with this Chapter Many who read and study this chapter are 1 st or 2 nd generation students of R. B. Thieme, Jr., so that much of this vocabulary is second nature. One of Bob s contributions to theology is a fresh vocabulary along with a number of concepts which are theologically new or reworked, yet still orthodox. Therefore, if you are unfamiliar with his work, the definitions below will help you to fully understand all that is being said. Also, I have developed a few new terms and concepts which require definition as well. In addition, there are other more traditional yet technical theological terms which will be used and therefore defined as well. Sometimes the terms in the exegesis of this chapter are simply alluded to, without any in-depth explanation of them. Sometimes, these terms are explained in detail and illustrated. A collection of all these terms is found here: (HTML) (PDF) (WPD). Often, the terms below are linked to complete doctrines. Definition of Terms Rebound (Restoration to fellowship with God) In the New Testament, this is naming your sins to God, so that you are both restored to temporal fellowship with God and are then filled with the Spirit of God. In the Old Testament, naming your sins to God would result in a restoration of fellowship and, in some cases, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit once again (the Holy Spirit was not given to all Old Testament believers). See the Doctrine of Rebound (HTML) (PDF) (WPD). Some of these definitions are taken from Chapter Outline Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines

5 5 The Book of Exodus An Introduction to Exodus 9 I ntroduction: Exodus 9 continues the plagues brought upon Egypt by God. Herein we have the plague of the livestock, of the boils and of the hail. Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Exodus 9 (by various commentators) Chapter Outline Charts, Maps and Short Doctrines Sometimes, a commentator will begin with a good observation of this chapter of the Bible. Brief, but insightful observations of Exodus 9 (various commentators) Chapter Outline Charts, Maps and Short Doctrines As I study a chapter, questions will occur to me some of them important and many of them minor. Not all of these questions will be satisfactorily answered. Fundamental Questions About Exodus 9 Chapter Outline Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines It is important to understand what has gone before. The Prequel of Exodus 9 Exodus 9 will begin with Chapter Outline Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines

6 Exodus Chapter 9 6 We need to know who the people are who populate this chapter. The Principals of Exodus 9 Characters Commentary Chapter Outline Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines We need to know where this chapter takes place. The Places of Exodus 9 Place Description Chapter Outline Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines By the Item Duration; size Chapter Outline Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines Timeline for Exodus 9

7 7 The Book of Exodus Legend Birth or death God speaks with Abraham Historical incidents (most of which are related to Abraham) Parenthetical dates (2065 B.C.) simply refer to taking the date assigned by the chronologist and using Scripture to determine the next date. The entire Abrahamic Timeline (HTML) (PDF) (WPD). The entire Patriarchal Timeline (HTML) (PDF) (WPD). Much of the commentary on the far right came from others works (like Brent MacDonald). Brent MacDonald Steve Rudd Age of Moses Reese s Chronology Bible Scripture Event/Description 1805 B.C B.C B.C B.C. (1620 B.C.) 1590 B.C. (1584 B.C.) Gen. 50:26 Exodus 6:1 Num. 26:58 Joseph dies at age 110 Birth of Amram (Levi s grandson, Moses father. The death of Levi (age 137) Reese occasionally supplies 2 dates in his Chronological Bible; the first is his and the second is Klassen s B.C. Gen. 47:27 Exodus 1:7 From the Patriarchs to the Exodus B.C B.C. Hyksos begin ruling in Egypt (Semite kings) B.C. Defeat of Hyksos dynasty 1570 B.C B.C. Ahmose reign (wife Nefertiri); beginning of the 18 th Dynasty in Egypt B.C B.C. Amuntotep reign 1580 B.C. (1542 B.C.) Exodus 1:8 14 Egyptian bondage and oppression increases B.C. Amuntotep kills children 1522 B.C B.C. 0 Exodus 2:2 Birth of Moses 1522 B.C B.C. Exodus 2: B.C B.C B.C B.C. Hatshepsut, age 15, adopts baby Moses. Thutmose I reign (wife Ahmose) Thutmose II Hatshepsut (his half-sister and co-ruler) Pharaohs of Oppression

8 Exodus Chapter 9 8 Brent MacDonald Steve Rudd Age of Moses Reese s Chronology Bible Scripture Event/Description 1504 B.C. Hatshepsut continues reign with Thutmose III 1466 B.C. Num. 11:29 Ex. 33:11 Birth of Joshua 1482 B.C B.C. Exodus 2:11-15 Acts 7:23 Moses flees to Midian to escape the wrath of Thutmose III. Pharaoh Thutmose III now rules Egypt alone, subsequently destroying most traces of Hatshepsut. Egypt - Pharaoh Amenhotep II (alt. Amenophis II). He was not the oldest son of Thutmose III. Bloodthirsty; liked hand to hand combat, led troops into battle with howls of rage B.C. Ex. 4:18-5:1 1Kings 6:1 Egypt - Moses returns and confronts Amenhotep II B.C B.C. Ex. 12:40-41 Moses leads people out of Egypt; the beginning of the exodus. note 3. Scripture does not state that Pharaoh was killed at this time (read about it here). Sinai (Marah, Elim, Rephidim, Mount Sinai, etc.) - Israel in wilderness 40 years (Exodus 16:35). A timeline of stops on the Exodus is here B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Thutmose IV (alt. Tuthmosis IV) reigns, son of Amenhotep II and lesser wife Tiaa. He was not the oldest son. Had dream at the sphinx that he would rule - recorded on stele there.

9 9 The Book of Exodus Brent MacDonald Steve Rudd Age of Moses Reese s Chronology Bible Scripture Event/Description 1414 B.C. Egypt - Pharaoh Amenhotep III (alt. Amenophis III). The clossi of Memnon are all that remains of his temple near Thebes B.C. Deut. 1:1, B.C. 120 Deut. 34: B.C B.C. Israel - Moses writes and teaches the book of Deuteronomy in land of Moab. Moses dies at Mount Nebo at 120 years oold Joshua crosses Jordan River. Israel - Conquests of Joshua in Promised Land begin. Battle of Jericho. Bibliography MacDonald s timeline is from: accessed January 29, See for his justification of his timeline. Steve Rudd from accessed January 29, The Reese Chronological Bible; KJV translation; Editor: Edward Reese; 1977 by Edward Reese and Klassen s dating system 1975 by Frank R. Klassen; h1980 by Bethany House Publishers, South Minneapolis, MN; pp , Chapter Outline Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines Here is what to expect from Exodus 9: A Synopsis of Exodus 9 Like all chapters of the Word of God, you need more than just the simple plot outline to understand what God wants us to know. Chapter Outline Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines

10 Exodus Chapter 9 10 The first chapter heading sometimes does double duty, giving an overall view of the chapter and/or telling what the first section is about. I make an attempt to find 5 translations with very different divisions. With these chapters on plagues, differing subtitles are nearly impossible to find. Paragraph Divisions of Modern Translations for Exodus 9 Amplified Bible Tree of Life Version NET Bible Common English B. Modern English V. Egyptian Livestock Die Livestock, Boils, Hail The Fifth Blow: Animals sick and Disease dying vv. 1 4 vv. 1 4 vv. 1 4 vv. 1 7 v. 5 vv. 1 7 vv. 6 7 vv. 5 7 vv. 5 7 The Fifth Plague: Livestock Die The Plague of Boils The Sixth Blow: Boils Skin sores and The Sixth Plague: blisters Boils vv vv. 8 9 vv vv vv. 8 9 vv vv vv vv The Plague of Hail The Seventh Blow: The Seventh Plague: Hail and thunder Hail Hail vv vv vv vv vv vv v. 22 vv vv vv vv vv vv vv vv vv vv vv vv vv vv vv vv vv vv vv vv vv vv Inspired by Dr. Bob Utley, Copyright 2014 Bible Lessons International; Chapter Outline Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines Changes additions and subtractions (for Exodus 8): Very often, when I begin a new chapter, I have either discovered a new translations, a new commentary; or have decided to leave out a particular translation or commentary. Sometimes, I make a minor formatting change. I have always placed such comments before the beginning of the first verse. So one formatting change is, the addition of this more formal approach to changes, giving it a section of its own. Many times, if I like a change a lot, I will occasionally go back and make that change in previous chapters. Chapter Outline Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines As always, 3 separate translations will be produced for each verse. The slavishly literal translation attempts to preserve word order and number, making it more literal than Young s translation (however, I do not preserve the consistency of the translation that Young does). The moderately literal translation may add or delete a definite article, change the number of a noun to correspond with the English sense of thinking, and the order is often changed in order to better represent our English sentence structure. The paraphrase is an attempt to give a thought-for-thought interpretation of what each verse tells us. Kukis slavishly literal: Kukis moderately literal:

11 11 The Book of Exodus And so says Y e howah unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh and you have said unto him, Thus has said Y e howah, Elohim of the Hebrews: send away My people and they will serve Me. Kukis not-so-literal paraphrase: Exodus 9:1 Y e howah said to Moses, Go to Pharaoh and you will say to him, Thus has spoken Y e howah, Elohim of the Hebrews: send My people out so that they [may] serve Me. Jehovah said to Moses, Go to Pharaoh and say to him, Thus Jehovah, the God of the Hebrew, has said to you: send My people out so that they may serve Me. Here is how others have translated this verse: Ancient texts: Note: I compare the Hebrew text to English translations of the Latin, Syriac (= Aramaic) and Greek texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation 2 ; George Lamsa s translation, and Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton s translation as revised and edited by Paul W. Esposito, respectively. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.). I often use the text of the Complete Apostles Bible instead of Brenton s translation, because it updates the English text. The Septuagint was the earliest known translation of a book (circa 200 B.C.). Since this translation was made before the textual criticism had been developed into a science and because different books appear to be translated by different men, the Greek translation can sometimes be very uneven. When there are serious disparities between my translation and Brenton s (or the text of the Complete Apostles Bible), I look at the Greek text of the Septuagint (the LXX) to see if a substantive difference actually exists (and I reflect these changes in the English rendering of the Greek text). I use the Greek LXX with Strong s numbers and morphology available for e-sword. The only problem with this resource (which is a problem for similar resources) is, there is no way to further explore Greek verbs which are not found in the New Testament. Although I usually quote the Complete Apostles Bible here, I have begun to make changes in the translation when their translation conflicts with the Greek and note what those changes are. The Masoretic text is the Hebrew text with all of the vowels (vowel points) inserted (the original Hebrew text lacked vowels). We take the Masoretic text to be the text closest to the original. However, differences between the Masoretic text and the Greek, Latin and Syriac are worth noting and, once in a great while, represent a more accurate text possessed by those other ancient translators. In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin apart from some very obvious words so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation). The comparisons which I do are primarily between the English translations which are taken from the ancient tongues. For the most part, the variances are so minor that I rarely investigate them any further than that. Underlined words indicate differences in the text. 2 I have begun to doubt my e-sword Douay-Rheims version, so I now use

12 Exodus Chapter 9 12 Ancient texts: Bracketed portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls are words, letters and phrases lost in the scroll due to various types of damage. Underlined words or phrases are those in the Dead Sea Scrolls but not in the Masoretic text. I will only list the translation from the Dead Sea Scrolls if it exists and if it is different from the Masoretic text. The Targum of Onkelos is actually the Pentateuchal Targumim, which are The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan Ben Uzziel. On the Pentateuch With The Fragments of the Jerusalem Targum From the Chaldee by J. W. Etheridge, M.A. From and first published in Occasionally, there is an obvious error in the English translation, and I correct those without additional mention or footnoting. For instance, the online version of the Targum of Onkelos which I use has gorund in Ex. 4:9; I simply corrected the text. This may occur once or twice in a chapter. I attempt to include translations which are different in their vocabulary and phrasing. On many occasions, I may include a translation which is not substantially different than another listed translation. Most of the translations can be found here. The very fact that we have ancient Greek, Latin, Syriac and Arabic translations of the Bible testifies to its accuracy. There may be a difference word or phrase here or there; the Greek may have a singular where the Hebrew has a plural, but there is no set of doctrines in the Latin Bible which are any different from those found in the Greek Bible or the Syriac Bible. These different cultures when they chose to translate the Bible chose to translate it as accurately as possible. Where human viewpoint would expect to find doctrinal differences between the Bible of the Hebrews, of the Greeks or of the Romans, no such differences exist. Masoretic Text (Hebrew) And so says Y e howah unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh and you have said unto him, Thus has said Y e howah, Elohim of the Hebrews: send away My people and they will serve Me. Dead Sea Scrolls. Targum (Onkelos). Translation for Onkelos and Pseudo-Jonathan by J. W. Etheridge, M.A. (1862). Targum (Pseudo-Jonathan). Jerusalem targum. Revised Douay-Rheims. Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.). Aramaic ESV of Peshitta. Peshitta (Syriac). V. Alexander s Aramaic T.. Updated Brenton (Greek). Significant differences:

13 13 The Book of Exodus Limited Vocabulary Translations: 3 Bible in Basic English. Easy English. Easy-to-Read Version God s Word. Good News Bible (TEV). International Children s B.. The Message. Names of God Bible. NIRV. New Simplified Bible. Thought-for-thought translations; paraphrases: Common English Bible. Contemporary English V.. The Living Bible. New Berkeley Version. New Century Version. New Life Version. New Living Translation. Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations: American English Bible. Beck s American Translation. International Standard V. New Advent (Knox) Bible. Translation for Translators. Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing): Awful Scroll Bible. Conservapedia. Ferrar-Fenton Bible. God s Truth (Tyndale). HCSB. Jubilee Bible Lexham English Bible. NIV, Tree of Life Version. Urim-Thummim Version. Wikipedia Bible Project. Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur): Christian Community (1988). The Heritage Bible. New American Bible (2002). 3 Many of these Bibles fall into 2 or more categories. The CEV, for instance, is approved by the Catholic Church, it is a limited vocabulary Bible, and it is a paraphrase, for the most part.

14 Exodus Chapter 9 14 New American Bible (2011) 4. New English Bible New Jerusalem Bible. New RSV. Revised English Bible Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles: Complete Jewish Bible. The Complete Tanach 5. exegeses companion Bible. Hebraic Roots Bible. Israeli Authorized Version. JPS (Tanakh 1985). Judaica Press Complete T.. Kaplan Translation Orthodox Jewish Bible. The Scriptures Expanded/Embellished Bibles: The Amplified Bible. The Expanded Bible. The Geneva Bible. Kretzmann s Commentary. NET Bible Syndein/Thieme. The Voice. Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings: Brenner s Mechanical Trans.... C. Thompson LXX (updated). Concordant Literal Version. Context Group Version. Darby Translation. Emphasized Bible. English Standard Version. Green s Literal Translation. Modern English Version. Modern Literal Version. NASB. New European Version. New King James Version. Owen's Translation.. The Kaplan Translation, particularly in Exodus through Deuteronomy, takes note of historic rabbinic opinions.. When it comes to making an actual material change to the text, the NET Bible is pretty good about indicating this. Since most of these corrections will be clear in the more literal translations below and within the Hebrew exegesis itself, I will not continue to list every NET Bible footnote. Language footnotes will be placed in the Hebrew exegesis. Some footnotes will quoted elsewhere in this document. 4 Also called the revised edition. 5 Also know as the Complete Tanach (and as The Complete Jewish Bible) with Rashi s Commentary. I do not know who did the original translation, but it has been edited by translator and scholar, Rabbi A.J. Rosenberg. It is found here.

15 15 The Book of Exodus Third Millennium Bible. Updated Bible Version A Voice in the Wilderness. Webster s Bible Translation. World English Bible. Young's Literal Translation. Young's Updated LT. The gist of this passage: Exodus 9:1a wa (or va) (åç) [pronounced wah] and so, and then, then, and; so, that, yet, therefore, consequently; because wâw consecutive BDB #253 âmar (àèîçø) [pronounced aw-mahr] to say, to speak, to utter; to say [to oneself], to think; to command; to promise; to explain; to intend; to decide; to answer 3 rd person masculine singular, Qal imperfect Strong s #559 BDB #55 YHWH (éäåä) [pronunciation is possibly yhoh-wah] transliterated variously as Jehovah, Yahweh, Y e howah proper noun Strong s #3068 BDB #217 el (àæì) [pronounced ehl] unto; into, among, in; toward, to; against; concerning, regarding; besides, together with; as to directional preposition (respect or deference may be implied) Strong's #413 BDB #39 Mosheh (îéùæä) [pronounced moh- SHEH] to draw out [of the water] and is transliterated Moses masculine proper noun Strong s #4872 BDB #602 bôw (áìåéà) [pronounced boh] come [in], go [in], enter, advance 2 nd person masculine singular, Qal imperative Strong s #935 BDB #97 el (àæì) [pronounced ehl] unto; into, among, in; toward, to; against; concerning, regarding; besides, together with; as to directional preposition (respect or deference may be implied) Strong's #413 BDB #39 par e ôh (ôìçøàòéä) [pronounced pahr e -ÌOH] great house; possibly hair head (indicating one of great age and therefore with wisdom and authority); transliterated pharaoh masculine singular proper noun Strong s #6547 BDB #829 Translation: Y e howah said to Moses, Go to Pharaoh and you will say to him,... Like the other plagues, not everything is going to be recounted. God would speak to Moses; Moses, at least at the beginning, would repeat these things to Aaron (who is probably there). Then Aaron and Moses would go to Pharaoh and these words of God would be repeated. Then Pharaoh would refuse and the warning of the plague would become a reality. However, in most cases, portions of the narrative would be left out usually what was said to Pharaoh was not repeated.

16 Exodus Chapter 9 16 Just as Moses no longer tells Aaron what to speak; God no longer tells Moses what to tell Aaron to say. This was God's preferred plan and it looks as though Moses is finally coming along. He is seeing some results of God's great power he is seeing that God knows exactly how Pharaoh is going to react, and he is beginning to feel comfortable in his role. No longer is he concerned about his ability or lack of ability when it comes to public speaking. This is not an issue to Moses. What God tells him to do and what God does these are the true issues in his life. When it comes to things spiritual, we do not need to dwell upon our weaknesses or upon our strengths. Even people with very low I.Q.'s can teach God's Word, can evangelize, can give, can visit the sick, can give words of comfort and encouragement. When it comes to our secular place in life, certainly we have to be cognizant of our abilities and our short comings. However, when it comes to our spiritual service, how we feel about ourselves is not an issue. How God feels about us and what God has in store for us that is the issue. Moses is no longer trapped by his lack of speaking ability, as he said (he was a fantastic public speaker). Now God's plan for his life and move at full speed. This does not eliminnate Aaron from God's plan; it allows Aaron the opportunity to delve into what God had planned specifically for him. Exodus 9:1b w e (or v e ) (åà or åì) [pronounced weh] and, even, then; namely; when; since, that; though; as well as simple wâw conjunction BDB #251 dâbar (ãìèáçø) [pronounced daw b -VAHR] to speak, to talk [and back with action], to give an opinion, to expound, to make a formal speech, to speak out, to promise, to propose, to speak kindly of, to declare, to proclaim, to announce 2 nd person masculine singular, Piel perfect Strong s #1696 BDB #180 el (àæì) [pronounced ehl] unto; into, among, in; toward, to; against; concerning, regarding; besides, together with; as to directional preposition (respect or deference may be implied) with the 3 rd person masculine singular suffix Strong's #413 BDB #39 kôh (ëìéä) [pronounced koh] so, thus, here, hence; now; in the meantime adverb Strong s #3541 BDB #462 âmar (àèîçø) [pronounced aw-mahr] to say, to speak, to utter; to say [to oneself], to think; to command; to promise; to explain; to intend; to decide; to answer 3 rd person masculine singular, Qal perfect Strong s #559 BDB #55 YHWH (éäåä) [pronunciation is possibly yhoh-wah] transliterated variously as Jehovah, Yahweh, Y e howah proper noun Strong s #3068 BDB #217 Ìlôhîym (àìéääéí) [pronounced el-o-heem] God; gods, foreign gods, god; rulers, judges; superhuman ones, angels; transliterated Elohim masculine plural noun; construct state Strong's #430 BDB #43

17 17 The Book of Exodus Exodus 9:1b Êber (òåáæø) [pronounced ÌAY B -ver] one from beyond, the other side, across, region on the other side; and is transliterated Eber, Heber, Hebrew, Eberite masculine singular, adjective gentis Strong s #5677 BDB #720 Translation:... Thus has spoken Y e howah, Elohim of the Hebrews:... God often acts through intermediaries. God did not go to Pharaoh directly, in a dream, and warn him. God used Moses (and Aaron) to relay the warnings of these plagues. Exodus 9:1c shâlach (ùèìçç) [pronounced shaw- LAKH] send, send off, send away [back], dismiss, give over, cast out, let go, set free, shoot forth [branches], shoot [an arrow] 2 nd person masculine singular, Piel imperative Strong s #7971 BDB #1018 êth (àæç) [pronounced ayth] untranslated generally; occasionally to, toward indicates that the following substantive is a direct object Strong's #853 BDB #84 am (òçí) [pronounced ìahm] people; race, tribe; family, relatives; citizens, common people; companions, servants; entire human race; herd [of animals] masculine singular collective noun with the 1 st person plural suffix Strong s #5971 BDB #766 w e (or v e ) (åà or åì) [pronounced weh] and, even, then; namely; when; since, that; though; as well as simple wâw conjunction BDB #251 âbad (òèáçã) [pronounced ìaw b -VAHD] to work, to serve, to labor; to be a slave to 3 rd person masculine plural, Qal imperfect with the 1 st person singular suffix Strong's #5647 BDB #712 Translation:...send My people out so that they [may] serve Me. What God demands of Pharaoh is the same thing, Send My people out of Egypt so that they may serve Me. Exodus 9:1 Jehovah said to Moses, Go to Pharaoh and say to him, Thus Jehovah, the God of the Hebrew, has said to you: send My people out so that they may serve Me.

18 Exodus Chapter 9 18 For if a refusal you to send, and still you are holding in them, behold, a hand of Y e howah is on your cattle which in the field, [and] on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the oxen and on the flock a pestilence grievous very. Exodus 9:2 3 Now if you refuse to send [my people out] and [if] you continue holding them, [then] listen, [there] will be the hand of Y e howah upon your cattle that [are] in the field on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the oxen and on the flock [bringing against them] a very grievous pestilence. However, if you refuse to send My people out and if you continue to hold them there in Egpt, then and hear Me on this My divine hand will be upon your cattle in the field it will come down on your horses, your donkeys, your camels, your oxen, and your flock. I will bring down upon them a great pestilence. Here is how others have translated this verse: Ancient texts: Masoretic Text (Hebrew) For if a refusal you to send, and still you are holding in them, behold, a hand of Y e howah is on your cattle which in the field, [and] on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the oxen and on the flock a pestilence grievous very. Dead Sea Scrolls. Jerusalem targum. Targum (Onkelos). Targum (Pseudo-Jonathan). Revised Douay-Rheims. Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.). Aramaic ESV of Peshitta. V. Alexander s Aramaic T.. Plain English Aramaic Bible. Peshitta (Syriac). Updated Brenton (Greek). Significant differences: Limited Vocabulary Translations: Bible in Basic English. Easy English. Easy-to-Read Version God s Word. Good News Bible (TEV). International Children s B.. The Message. Names of God Bible. NIRV. New Simplified Bible. Thought-for-thought translations; paraphrases: Common English Bible. Contemporary English V.. The Living Bible. New Berkeley Version. New Century Version. New Life Version.

19 19 The Book of Exodus New Living Translation. Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations: American English Bible. Beck s American Translation. International Standard V. New Advent (Knox) Bible. Revised Knox Bible. Translation for Translators. Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing): Awful Scroll Bible. Conservapedia. Ferrar-Fenton Bible. God s Truth (Tyndale). HCSB. Jubilee Bible H. C. Leupold. Lexham English Bible. NIV, Tree of Life Version. Urim-Thummim Version. Wikipedia Bible Project. Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur): Christian Community (1988). The Heritage Bible. New American Bible (2002). New American Bible (2011). New English Bible New Jerusalem Bible. New RSV. Revised English Bible Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles: Complete Jewish Bible. The Complete Tanach. exegeses companion Bible. Hebraic Roots Bible. Israeli Authorized Version. JPS (Tanakh 1985). Kaplan Translation. Orthodox Jewish Bible. The Scriptures Expanded/Embellished Bibles: The Amplified Bible. The Expanded Bible. Kretzmann s Commentary.

20 Exodus Chapter 9 20 NET Bible. The Pulpit Commentary. Syndein/Thieme. The Voice. Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings: Brenner s Mechanical Trans.... Christian Standard Bible. Concordant Literal Version. Context Group Version. Darby Translation. Emphasized Bible. English Standard Version. Evidence Bible. Green s Literal Translation. Modern English Version. Modern Literal Version. Modern KJV. NASB. New European Version. New King James Version. Owen's Translation. Stuart Wolf s Translation. Third Millennium Bible. Updated Bible Version A Voice in the Wilderness. Webster s Bible Translation. World English Bible. Young's Literal Translation. Young s Updated LT For, if you are refusing to send away, and are still keeping hold upon them, lo, the hand of Jehovah is on your cattle which are in the field, on horses, on asses, on camels, on herd, and on flock a pestilence very grievous. The gist of this passage: 2-3 Exodus 9:2a kîy (ëìäé) [pronounced kee] for, that, because; when, at that time, which, what time explanatory or temporal conjunction; preposition Strong's #3588 BDB #471 îm (àäí) [pronounced eem] if, though; lo, behold; oh that, if only; when, since, though primarily an hypothetical particle Strong's #518 BDB #49 Together, kîy îm (àäí ëìäé) [pronounced kee-eem] act as a limitation on the preceding thought, and therefore should be rendered but, except, except that, unless and possibly only. However, these particles are not used in a limiting way if they follow an oath, a question or a negative. Then they can be rendered that if, for if, for though, that since, for if, but if, indeed if, even if; except for, except [that], unless, but. mâ ên (îèàåï) [pronounced maw-ane] refuse, refusing, unwilling to obey masculine singular, adjective/verb Strong s #3986 BDB #549

21 21 The Book of Exodus Exodus 9:2a Owens lists this as a Piel infinitive construct; or as a participle. It is based upon a verb and may have more of a verbal connotation. attâh (àçúìèä) [pronounced aht-taw] you (often, the verb to be is implied) 2 nd person masculine singular, personal pronoun Strong s #859 BDB #61 lâmed (ìà) [pronounced l e ] to, for, towards, in regards to directional/relational preposition BDB #510 shâlach (ùèìçç) [pronounced shaw- LAKH] to send, to send off, to send away, to dismiss, to give over, to cast out, to let go, to set free, to shoot forth [branches], to shoot [an arrow] Piel infinitive construct Strong s #7971 BDB #1018 Translation: Now if you refuse to send [my people out]... God says to Pharaoh, If you refuse to send My people out of Egypt... At this point in the narrative, this is God speaking to Moses, but we will proceed directly into the plague itself, seamlessly going from God speaking to Moses, to Moses (or Aaron) speaking to Pharaoh; to Pharaoh s refusal, to the actual plague. What we actually have is first item going directly to the fourth item, skipping the two intermediary steps, which we assume take place. Exodus 9:2b w e (or v e ) (åà or åì) [pronounced weh] and, even, then; namely; when; since, that; though; as well as simple wâw conjunction BDB #251 ôwd (òåéã) [pronounced ìohd] still, yet, again, again and again, repeatedly, in addition to; continue, continually; more, farther, besides; as yet, even yet adverb with the 2 nd person masculine singular suffix Strong s #5750 BDB #728 châzaq (çèæç ) [pronounced khaw- ZAHK] holding [onto something], grabbing, holding fast, gaining [taking] possession of; strengthening, making strong, supporting; repairing; displaying strength [power]; prevailing [upon] Hiphil participle Strong s #2388 BDB #304 b e (áìà) [pronounced b eh ] in, into, through; at, by, near, on, upon; with, before, against; by means of; among; within a preposition of proximity with the 3 rd person masculine plural suffix BDB #88 Translation:...and [if] you continue holding them,... God continues with the if part of His warning; if Pharaoh continues to hold onto God s people.

22 Exodus Chapter 9 22 Exodus 9:3a hinnêh (ääðìåä) [pronounced hin-nay] lo, behold, or more freely, observe, look here, look, listen, note, take note, duly note [that]; pay attention, get this, check this out interjection, exclamatory particle, demonstrative particle Strong s #2009 (and #518, 2006) BDB #243 yâd (éèã) [pronounced yawd] hand; figuratively for strength, power, control; responsibility feminine singular construct Strong's #3027 BDB #388 All the BDB definitions: 1) hand; 1a) hand (of man); 1b) strength, power (figuratively); 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaphorically) (figuratively); 1d) (various special, technical senses); 1d1) sign, monument; 1d2) part, fractional part, share; 1d3) time, repetition; 1d4) axle-trees, axle; 1d5) stays, support (for laver); 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle); 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure); 1d8) wrists. YHWH (éäåä) [pronunciation is possibly yhoh-wah] transliterated variously as Jehovah, Yahweh, Y e howah proper noun Strong s #3068 BDB #217 hâyâh (äèéèä) [pronounced haw-yaw] to be, is, was, are; to become, to come into being; to come to pass feminine singular, Qal active participle Strong's #1961 BDB #224 b e (áìà) [pronounced b eh ] in, into, through; at, by, near, on, upon; with, before, against; by means of; among; within a preposition of proximity BDB #88 mîq e neh (îä ÀðÆä) [pronounced mik-neh] cattle, livestock (specifically sheep, cows and goats); herds, flocks masculine singular (collective) noun with the 2 nd person masculine singular suffix Strong s #4735 BDB #889 ãsher (àâéùæø) [pronounced uh-sher] that, which, when, who, whom; where; in that, in which, in what relative pronoun; sometimes the verb to be is implied Strong's #834 BDB #81 b e (áìà) [pronounced b eh ] in, into, through; at, by, near, on, upon; with, before, against; by means of; among; within a preposition of proximity BDB #88 sâdeh (ùòèãæä) [pronounced saw-deh] field, land, country, open field, open country; an unpopulated area masculine singular noun with the definite article Strong s #7704 BDB #961 Translation:...[then] listen, [there] will be the hand of Y e howah upon your cattle that [are] in the field... God now warns of what will happen. His hand will be on the cattle which are in the fields. Here, cattle is used as a general designation; and the animals will be specified in the next section.

23 23 The Book of Exodus Exodus 9:3b b e (áìà) [pronounced b eh ] in, into, through; at, by, near, on, upon; with, before, against; by means of; among; within a preposition of proximity BDB #88 çûwç (ñåìñ) [pronounced soos] horse, chariot horse; swallow, swift masculine plural noun with the definite article Strong s #5483 BDB #692 b e (áìà) [pronounced b eh ] in, into, through; at, by, near, on, upon; with, before, against; by means of; among; within a preposition of proximity BDB #88 chãmôwr (çâîåéø) [pronounced khuh- MOHR] ass, male donkey, he-ass, burrow masculine plural noun with the definite article Strong s #2543 BDB #331 b e (áìà) [pronounced b eh ] in, into, through; at, by, near, on, upon; with, before, against; by means of; among; within a preposition of proximity BDB #88 gâmâl (âèîèì) [pronounced gaw-mawl] camel (this is obviously a transliteration) masculine plural noun with the definite article Strong s #1581 BDB #168 b e (áìà) [pronounced b eh ] in, into, through; at, by, near, on, upon; with, before, against; by means of; among; within a preposition of proximity BDB #88 bâqâr (áìè Èø) [pronounced baw-kawr] bull, cow, ox, collectively: herd, cattle, oxen masculine singular collective noun with the definite article Strong s #1241 BDB #133 w e (or v e ) (åà or åì) [pronounced weh] and, even, then; namely; when; since, that; though; as well as simple wâw conjunction BDB #251 b e (áìà) [pronounced b eh ] in, into, through; at, by, near, on, upon; with, before, against; by means of; among; within a preposition of proximity BDB #88 tsô n (öéàï) [pronounced tzohn] small cattle, sheep and goats, flock, flocks feminine singular collective noun with the definite article Strong s #6629 BDB #838 Translation:... on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the oxen and on the flock... God specifically names the animals that He will afflict: the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the cattle and the flocks (of sheep and goats). All of God s plagues are designed to come down upon the Egyptian people as a whole. Every Egyptian is to know and understand each and every plague. Everyone of them will be affected. When it comes to the plagues of Egypt, God always goes big; so that all of the Egyptians were aware of His power and the extent of His reach. We tend to focus upon Moses versus Pharaoh, but all of Egypt was affected and it is reasonable to suppose that all Egyptians understood what was happening. God s warning to Pharaoh would have been spread by word of mouth, to be soon followed by Pharaoh s refusal and then they all experienced the plagues. The people of Egypt

24 Exodus Chapter 9 24 could have, at any point in time, sided with the Israelites; they could have stormed the palace and demanded, Let God s people go, so that we may have peace; but they did not. There will be a mixed multitude who will exit Egypt with the Hebrew people. Some of these undoubtedly are Egyptians; but there would have been other slaves and other foreigners as well. What we do not have, despite God striking these Egyptians down, is a mass exodus of sympathetic Egyptians who have decided to follow the God of the Hebrews. Exodus 9:3c deber (ãìæáæø) [pronounced DE B -ver] pestilence, plague, widespread sickness; punishment from God in the form of pestilence; punishment as the sin unto death masculine singular noun Strong s #1698 BDB #184 This word is found throughout the Old Testament, but only used thrice in the plagues: Ex. 5:3 9:3, 15. The emphasis appears to be on sickness or a plague as we understand them today (as opposed to a Biblical plague, where it could be any form of judgment by God. kâbêd (ëèáåã) [pronounced kaw b -VAYD] heavy, overweight, abundant, numerous, dull; hard, difficult, burdensome, grievous; severe; very oppressive, numerous, rich masculine singular adjective Strong s #3515 BDB #458 m e ôd (îààéã) [pronounced m e -ODE] exceedingly, extremely, greatly, very adverb Strong s #3966 BDB #547 Translation:...[bringing against them] a very grievous pestilence. God warns Pharaoh that there would be a terrible pestilence brought upon all of the livestock of Egypt. Pharaoh would have had his animals; and the people would have had theirs. You may recall back in the days of Joseph, all of the livestock became property of the state. We do not know if that is still true; but it is a moot point, whether the livestock is owned again by the Egyptians or by the state. One of the words translated plague is deber (ãìæáæø) [pronounced DE B -ver] and it means pestilence, illness, plague; it is actually only found in this one passage of Exodus in this particular context, yet is found in several other places throughout the Bible (Num. 14:12 1Kings 8:37 Ezek. 5:12). The vowel points, though not coming into play in the manuscripts until centuries after the first advent are key. A very similar word in the Hebrew is the very commonly used dâbâr (ãìèáèø), which we examined in the last chapter it means word, speech, command, matter, affair, etc. Next door to those two words is the verb to speak, with again the same consonants and different vowel points. It is these vowel points which separate for us the noun from the verb from other words which mean entirely different things. For many centuries, the Hebrew people understood what the vowels were and, when speaking these words aloud, spoke the correct vowels, even though there were no vowels. In fact, it was not until the Middle Ages when the Masoretes began to use vowel points. They were added in such a way, above and below the Hebrew consonants, so that the original manuscripts were preserved. The result of this addition of vowel points is called the Masoretic text or the Masoretic manuscripts. Because of the plagues still to come specifically the plague of hail, we know that some of the cattle of the Egyptians had to survive. Whether there were shelters or pens or whatever, there were apparently a large amount of livestock not affected by this plague. So, the livestock out in the field refers to a very specific bunch.

25 25 The Book of Exodus Exodus 9:2 3 However, if you refuse to send My people out and if you continue to hold them there in Egypt, then and hear Me on this My divine hand will be upon your cattle in the field it will come down on your horses, your donkeys, your camels, your oxen, and your flock. I will bring down upon them a great pestilence. God has set up for Pharaoh another very clear-cut choice: either Pharaoh lets the Israelites go or God will send to Pharaoh and all of his livestock a horrible, deadly virus which will wipe out his cattle. God has chosen to destroy much of the livestock of Egypt because the Egyptians worshipped cattle and the idea that the Jews would take these same cattle and sacrifice to Yahweh would have been an abomination to the Egyptians. We have no indication that the Hebrews sacrificed any cattle in recent history (perhaps the past century prior to this, if not longer); but their worship would require the slaughter of various beasts to illustrate Jesus Christ coming to earth and dying for our sins; the innocent dying on behalf of the guilty. Secondarily, this was an economic attack upon Egypt. In the ancient world, one measure of wealth was the amount of food that a culture had access to. That it, great production in the fields and a large livestock population indicated that a country was very wealthy and prosperous. God has begun to decimate that wealth to discipline Egypt. The use of the anthropopathism here (the hand of God) infers judgement and punishment. There is some confusion where to end the quotation by God. I would logically place it at the end of v. 4, which continues and completes God s warning to Pharaoh. And has made a distinction Y e howah between cattle of Israel and cattle of Egypt; and will not perish from all to sons of Israel a word. Exodus 9:4 Y e howah has made a distinction between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt; and nothing [= will not a word] will perish from all [that belongs] to the sons of Israel. Jehovah has made a distinction between Israel s and Egypt s cattle; none of Israel s cattle will perish in this plague. Here is how others have translated this verse: Ancient texts: Masoretic Text (Hebrew) And has made a distinction Y e howah between cattle of Israel and cattle of Egypt; and will not perish from all to sons of Israel a word. Dead Sea Scrolls. Jerusalem targum. Targum (Onkelos). Targum (Pseudo-Jonathan). Revised Douay-Rheims. Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.). Aramaic ESV of Peshitta. V. Alexander s Aramaic T.. Plain English Aramaic Bible. Peshitta (Syriac). Updated Brenton (Greek). Significant differences: Limited Vocabulary Translations:

26 Exodus Chapter 9 26 Bible in Basic English. Easy English. Easy-to-Read Version God s Word. Good News Bible (TEV). International Children s B.. The Message. Names of God Bible. NIRV. New Simplified Bible. Thought-for-thought translations; paraphrases: Common English Bible. Contemporary English V.. The Living Bible. New Berkeley Version. New Century Version. New Life Version. New Living Translation. Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations: American English Bible. Beck s American Translation. International Standard V. New Advent (Knox) Bible. Revised Knox Bible. Translation for Translators. Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing): Awful Scroll Bible. Conservapedia. Ferrar-Fenton Bible. God s Truth (Tyndale). HCSB. Jubilee Bible H. C. Leupold. Lexham English Bible. NIV, Tree of Life Version. Urim-Thummim Version. Wikipedia Bible Project. Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur): Christian Community (1988). The Heritage Bible. New American Bible (2002). New American Bible (2011). New English Bible New Jerusalem Bible. New RSV.