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Exodus 9:6-8
New English Translation
Exodus 9:6-8
New English Translation
6 And the Lord did this[a] on the next day;[b] all[c] the livestock of the Egyptians[d] died, but of the Israelites’ livestock not one died. 7 Pharaoh sent representatives to investigate,[e] and indeed, not even one of the livestock of Israel had died. But Pharaoh’s heart remained hard,[f] and he did not release the people.
Plague Six: Boils
8 [g] Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot[h] from a furnace, and have Moses throw it[i] into the air while Pharaoh is watching.[j]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Exodus 9:6 tn Heb “this thing.”
- Exodus 9:6 tn Heb “on the morrow.”
- Exodus 9:6 tn The word “all” clearly does not mean “all” in the exclusive sense, because subsequent plagues involve cattle. The word must denote such a large number that whatever was left was insignificant for the economy. It could also be taken to mean “all [kinds of] livestock died.”
- Exodus 9:6 tn Heb “of Egypt.” The place is put by metonymy for the inhabitants.
- Exodus 9:7 tn Heb “Pharaoh sent.” The phrase “representatives to investigate” is implied in the context.
- Exodus 9:7 tn Heb “and the heart of Pharaoh was hardened.” This phrase translates the Hebrew word כָּבֵד (kaved; see S. R. Driver, Exodus, 53). In context this represents the continuation of a prior condition.
- Exodus 9:8 sn This sixth plague, like the third, is unannounced. God instructs his servants to take handfuls of ashes from the Egyptians’ furnaces and sprinkle them heavenward in the sight of Pharaoh. These ashes would become little particles of dust that would cause boils on the Egyptians and their animals. Greta Hort, “The Plagues of Egypt,” ZAW 69 [1957]: 101-3, suggests it is skin anthrax (see W. C. Kaiser, Jr., “Exodus,” EBC 2:359). The lesson of this plague is that Yahweh has absolute control over the physical health of the people. Physical suffering consequent to sin comes to all regardless of their position and status. The Egyptians are helpless in the face of this, as now God begins to touch human life; greater judgments on human wickedness lie ahead.
- Exodus 9:8 tn This word פִּיחַ (piakh) is a hapax legomenon, meaning “soot”; it seems to be derived from the verb פּוּחַ (puakh, “to breathe, blow”). The “furnace” (כִּבְשָׁן, kivshan) was a special kiln for making pottery or bricks.
- Exodus 9:8 tn The verb זָרַק (zaraq) means “to throw vigorously, to toss.” If Moses tosses the soot into the air, it will symbolize that the disease is falling from heaven.
- Exodus 9:8 tn Heb “before the eyes of Pharaoh.”
New English Translation (NET)
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