Exodus 9:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: (The flax and the barley were struck down, for the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bud.

NIV: (The flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley had headed and the flax was in bloom.

NASB: (Now the flax and the barley were ruined, for the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bud.

CSB: The flax and the barley were destroyed because the barley was ripe and the flax was budding,

NLT: (All the flax and barley were ruined by the hail, because the barley had formed heads and the flax was budding.

KJV: And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.

NKJV: Now the flax and the barley were struck, for the barley was in the head and the flax was in bud.

These verses (Exodus 9:32) are often set in parentheses because they are side notes to the main story. The massive hailstorm (Exodus 9:24–25) has pulverized everything caught in the open. Only those people and animals who came indoors survived exposure to the disaster (Exodus 9:18–21). These notes explain that some Egyptian crops had been planted but hadn't sprouted. Or they were young enough that they could quickly regrow. Others were nearing the harvest and were wiped out. Here, flax and barley are in that mature state, so the hailstorm shreds them beyond saving.

Flax is used to make linen, necessary for clothing, especially for Egyptian priests. Linen bandages were often used for mummies, as part of sending the dead into the afterlife. Because linen had religious connections, some interpret this as part of God's judgment on the polytheism of Egypt.

Barley served as a major Egyptian crop, used for baking diverse types of foods. Barley could also be used to make alcoholic drinks, as well as food for horses.

Some commentators observe that harvest of these crops typically take place in January or February. This helps indicate the approximate date of this plague. Since the first Passover took place around early April, this was two or three months prior to the tenth plague (Exodus 12:2–14). The plagues of locusts and darkness (Exodus 10) also took place between these two events. If the first plague occurred in the fall of the previous year, the full cycle (Exodus 3:20) took place over several months. This would have been from around September to the following April. Despite this extended time of judgment, Pharaoh and his people continued to remain opposed to the freedom of Israel.

Exodus 9:27–35 shows that Pharaoh is entirely to blame for his stubbornness against God. After a catastrophic seventh plague, the king claims to be convinced. He begs for the hailstorm to stop (Exodus 9:24–25). Moses agrees but is not fooled by the apparent change of heart. As soon as the hail and lightning stop, Pharaoh once again (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7) deliberately defies God. This is a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). After this, God will ensure that Pharaoh remains obstinate (Exodus 4:21) to establish an example of divine judgment.

After four devastating plagues, Pharaoh continues to resist God's command to free the Hebrew slaves. Through Moses, the Lord sends two more: death of Egyptian livestock and an epidemic of skin lesions. Pharoah refuses to respond to the first, and God makes him stubborn after the second. This leads to the most terrifying sign yet: the seventh plague of hail and fire. Pharoah claims to repent. Yet as soon as the hail stops, he again chooses obstinance. After this, the Lord will use Pharaoh as a tool to demonstrate divine judgment.

Moses and Aaron brought the Lord's command that Pharaoh should release Hebrew slaves (Exodus 5:1–4). Over and over, Egypt's king was obstinate. This resulted in divine plagues meant to demonstrate God's power and authority (Exodus 7:20; 8:6, 17, 24). In this chapter, God sends three more disasters: a plague on livestock, an epidemic of skin sores, and an obliterating storm of hail and lightning. Pharaoh will once again choose stubbornness, passing a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). For the remaining plagues (Exodus 10—12) and after (Exodus 14:4), Pharaoh will be a living example of the Lord's divine judgment (Exodus 4:21).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.