Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 7. How long shall this man be a snare unto us?] As there is no noun in the text, the pronoun hz zeh may either refer to the Israelites, to the plague by which they were then afflicted, or to Moses and Aaron, the instruments used by the Most High in their chastisement. The Vulgate translates, Usquequo patiemur hoc scandalum? "How long shall we suffer this scandal or reproach?" Let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God] Much of the energy of several passages is lost in translating hwhy Yehovah by the term Lord. The Egyptians had their gods, and they supposed that the Hebrews had a god like unto their own; that this Jehovah required their services, and would continue to afflict Egypt till his people were permitted to worship him in his own way.
Egypt is destroyed?] This last plague had nearly ruined the whole land.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - The plagues of Egypt show the sinfulness of sin. They warn the children of men not to strive with their Maker. Pharaoh had pretended to humbl himself; but no account was made of it, for he was not sincere therein The plague of locusts is threatened. This should be much worse than an of that kind which had ever been known. Pharaoh's attendants persuad him to come to terms with Moses. Hereupon Pharaoh will allow the men to go, falsely pretending that this was all they desired. He swears tha they shall not remove their little ones. Satan does all he can to hinder those that serve God themselves, from bringing their children to serve him. He is a sworn enemy to early piety. Whatever would put u from engaging our children in God's service, we have reason to suspec Satan in it. Nor should the young forget that the Lord's counsel is Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth; but Satan's counsel is to keep children in a state of slavery to sin and to the world. Mar that the great foe of man wishes to retain him by the ties of affection, as Pharaoh would have taken hostages from the Israelites for their return, by holding their wives
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