1. plague] Heb. néga‘, from nâga‘, to touch; lit. (severe) touch or stroke, Genesis 12:17, 1 Kings 8:37-38, Psalm 39:10; most commonly, of the severe stroke of leprosy (Leviticus 13-14). Not the word used Exodus 9:14, or Exodus 12:13 : see p. 58.

when, &c.] the marg. is preferable: when he does let you go altogether (without, for instance, keeping back the flocks and herds, Exodus 10:24), he will be glad to be rid of you, and will even thrust you out: see Exodus 12:39, also Exodus 12:33; Exodus 6:1 Heb.

1–8. Announcement of the last plague. From J and E.

1–3 (E). The sequel to Exodus 10:27 (E).

4. And Moses said] viz., as v. 8b shews, to the Pharaoh.

5. the mill] The Heb. word is a dual, properly, no doubt, the two mill-stones (though the root-meaning of rçḥaim is not known). The reference is to the hand-mill, consisting of two circular stones, 18 inches or two feet in diameter, the lower one being fixed on the ground, while the upper one is turned round by a woman—or sometimes (cf. Matthew 24:41) by two women—kneeling or sitting beside it. The mill is fed by grain being poured in through an opening in the centre of the upper stone. The hand-mill is still in daily use in practically every household in an Eastern village. In the houses of the rich, the work of the mill fell to the female slaves; cf. Isaiah 47:2 where the command to ‘take the mill-stones and grind meal’ is a prophecy of impending slavery. Captives were also sometimes compelled to do the same work (Judges 14:21, Lamentations 5:13).

of cattle] comp. on Exodus 9:6; Exodus 9:19.

6. such as, &c.] cf. Exodus 9:18 b, 24b, Exodus 10:6 b, 14b; and p. 56.

7. shall not a dog whet his tongue] A proverbial expression, implying that not only should they suffer no actual harm, but no unfriendly sound should even be heard against them. Cf. Jdt 11:19; and, with ‘no man’ as subject, Joshua 10:21.

that ye may know, &c.] cf. on Exodus 8:10, and p. 56.

put a difference] in the Heb. a single word, the verb rendered ‘sever’ on Exodus 8:22, Exodus 9:4.

8. Then the Pharaoh’s ministers themselves will come humbly to Moses, and beg him and his people to leave Egypt; cf. Exodus 12:31-33.

come down] ‘from the palace, where the writer thinks of the ministers as assembled, after hearing the tidings of the calamity, and which he pictures as elevated above the surrounding city and country (cf. 2 Samuel 9, 2 Kings 6:33; 2 Kings 7:17)’ (Di. from Kn.).

Get thee out, &c.] simply, Go out, thou and all, &c.

that follow thee] Heb. that are at thy feet: Deuteronomy 11:10 Heb., Jdg 4:10; Jdg 8:5 Heb. al.

in hot anger] viz. on account of what the Pharaoh had said, Exodus 10:27-28. The expression, as 1 Samuel 20:34 al.

9. wonders] portents, as Exodus 7:3 (see on Exodus 4:21). The whole verse is nearly the same as Exodus 7:4 a, 3b; but, if it is in its right place, the ‘portents’ here can be only those which happened subsequently to the ninth plague. (The rend. as a pluperfect, had said, is contrary to grammar.)

9–10. The close of P’s account of the ‘portents’ hitherto done before the Pharaoh. They had failed to produce any effect upon king; and more, and more convincing ones, must in consequence follow.

10. these portents] The ‘portents’ described before in P (Exodus 7:8-13, and the ‘plagues’ narrated by P), not those referred to in v. 9. ‘It is only in P that Moses and Aaron do the signs, and that before Pharaoh, Exodus 7:9, Exodus 9:8’ (Di.).

but Jehovah hardened, &c., emphasizing the fact that the portents had had no effect upon the Pharaoh. Cf. p. 53 f.

hardened] lit. made strong: P’s expression (see on Exodus 7:13).

did not let, &c.] cf. Exodus 6:11 b, Exodus 7:2 b (both P).