Keraia
Exodus 9

Exodus 9:7

The Fifth Plague: Livestock · Exodus 9:1–7
Read Exodus 9

Translations

Modern
Pharaoh sent officials and found that none of the livestock of the Israelites had died. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not let the people go.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And Pharaoh sent, and behold, not even one of the livestock of Israel had died. And the heart of Pharaoh was heavy, and he did not send out. the people
Latin
Et misit Pharao ad videndum: nec erat quidquam mortuum de his quæ possidebat Israël. Ingravatumque est cor Pharaonis, et non dimisit populum.

Original

Hebrew
English
Pharaoh sent officials and found that none of the livestock of the Israelites had died. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not let the people go.

Notes

Exodus 9:1–7

The fifth plague was against the livestock. As with the withholding of flies from the area where the Hebrews lived (8:22–23), the distinction between the livestock of the Israelites and that of the Egyptians (9:4) shows that a natural explanation of this event is insufficient, even if the previous plagues contributed.

The Egyptians, like many in the ancient Near East, worshiped the ram, the goat, and the bull as representing power and fertility. These animals had no power before the Lord, in whom true power resides.

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Moses Pharaoh The Plagues

Events

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Pharaoh: Egyptian Pharaoh during the Exodus

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Cattle Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Jannes and Jambres Magic Numbers and Numerology Plague Plagues upon Egypt

Topics

God: Preserver in Preserving Their Cattle from the Plague of Murrain, Israel: A Name Given to the Descendants of Jacob, a Nation: Also Called Israelites, and Hebrews Plague: On Cattle The Jews: Called: Israelites