Matthew Henry on Exodus 7:14–end
Here is the first of the ten plagues, the turning of the water into blood, which was, 1. A dreadful plague, and very grievous. The very sight of such vast rolling streams of blood, pure blood no doubt, florid and high-colored, could not but strike a horror upon people: much more afflictive were the consequences of it. Nothing more common than water: so wisely has Providence ordered it, and so kindly, that that which is so needful and serviceable to the comfort of human life should be cheap, and almost every where to be had; but now the Egyptians must either drink blood, or die for thirst. Fish was much of their food (Num 11:5), but the changing of the waters was the death of the fish; it was…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 7:17
Aaron lifted up the rod and smote the waters, &c.--Whether the water was changed into real blood, or only the appearance of it (and Omnipotence could effect the one as easily as the other), this was a severe calamity. How great must have been the disappointment and disgust throughout the land when the river became of a blood red color, of which they had a national abhorrence; their favorite beverage became a nauseous draught, and the fish, which formed so large an article of food, were destroyed. [See on Num 11:5.] The immense scale on which the plague was inflicted is seen by its extending to "the streams," or branches of the Nile--to the "rivers," the canals, the "ponds" and "pools," that…
Read the whole note in the consoleAdam Clarke on Exodus 7:17
Behold, I will smite - Here commences the account of the Ten plagues which were inflicted on the Egyptians by Moses and Aaron, by the command and through the power of God. According to Archbishop Usher these ten plagues took place in the course of one month, and in the following order: -
The first, the Waters turned into Blood, took place, he supposes, the 18th day of the sixth month; Exo 7:20.
The second, the plague of Frogs, on the 25th day of the sixth month; Exo 8:2.
The third, the plague of Lice, on the 27th day of the sixth month; Exo 8:16.
The fourth, grievous Swarms of Flies, on the 29th day of the sixth month; Exo 8:24.
The fifth, the grievous Murrain, on the 2d day of the seventh…
