Exodus 9:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Pharaoh sent, and behold, not one of the livestock of Israel was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.

NIV: Pharaoh investigated and found that not even one of the animals of the Israelites had died. Yet his heart was unyielding and he would not let the people go.

NASB: And Pharaoh sent men, and they learned that, behold, not even one of the livestock of Israel was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.

CSB: Pharaoh sent messengers who saw that not a single one of the Israelite livestock was dead. But Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he did not let the people go.

NLT: Pharaoh sent his officials to investigate, and they discovered that the Israelites had not lost a single animal! But even so, Pharaoh’s heart remained stubborn, and he still refused to let the people go.

KJV: And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.

NKJV: Then Pharaoh sent, and indeed, not even one of the livestock of the Israelites was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh became hard, and he did not let the people go.

The fifth plague (Exodus 9:1–5) was a clear supernatural sign. It came on rapidly, exactly as predicted, and affected only those animals owned by Egyptians. Since some Egyptian livestock are alive during future plagues (Exodus 9:9, 19–21), the comment that "all the livestock" of Egypt died is probably poetic. Similar Old Testament expressions imply vast numbers that aren't necessarily literal (Genesis 14:11; Exodus 8:17; 2 Samuel 3:36; 2 Chronicles 22:10–11). However, the description of the Hebrew animals is more focused: "not one" of them died (Exodus 9:6). This seems very literal and would have added to the supernatural character of the pestilence.

Pharaoh is apparently shocked at this turn of events. He "sends" someone to confirm that absolutely every Hebrew animal survived, while Egyptian flocks were virtually obliterated. It is true, proving that this is no coincidence or stroke of luck. Egyptian Idols such as Apis and Hathor cannot prevent this embarrassing display of God's power.

Despite this, Pharaoh is once again stubborn. He still refuses to obey the Lord's repeated commands (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 19–20, 32) to release the Hebrew slaves (Exodus 1:11–14). Pharaoh has been obstinate by his own choice so far (Exodus 5:2; 7:14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32). Here, again, he resists out of his existing hard-headed pride. In the next plague, the Lord will purposefully close off Pharaoh's mind (Exodus 9:12). When given another chance to choose, Egypt's king will remain in rebellion against God (Exodus 9:34–35). After this, God will offer no mercy (Exodus 4:21), instead using the disobedient king as an object lesson in 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.