Commentary on Genesis and Exodus, Book 2 · Chapter 7 · Analysis – Diverse readings
1. The Method and Argument.
MOses appeareth the second and third time before Pharaoh, delivering the Lords message unto Pharaoh for the dismissing of his people, and upon his refusall sheweth signes, and calleth for the first plague, of the turning of the waters into bloud.
There are three parts of the whole Chapter.
The first containeth the renewing of the charge and commandement of God to Moses to goe unto Pharaoh, to verse 8. wherein these things are declared: 1. The authoritie which the Lord giveth to Moses over Pharaoh, vers. 1. 2. His commission what he shall speake, vers. 2. 3. The event, Pharaohs refusall. 4. The end, that God may worke his great judgements in Egypt, vers. 4. 5. Moses and Aarons obedience, with a description of their yeeres and age, vers. 6.7.
The second expresseth the generall signe, which serveth for the confirmation of Moses calling, by turning his rod into a Serpent, from vers. 8. to vers. 14. wherein three things are further shewed: first, the commandement of God to Moses, vers. 8. Secondly, the execution by Moses, vers. 9. Thirdly, the event, the hardnesse of Pharaohs heart, vers. 13. with the occasion thereof, the Magicians counterfeit miracle in doing the like.
The third part describeth the first plague laid upon Egypt: 1. The denuntiation thereof by the Lord: containing the message to Pharaoh, vers. 15.16. The matter or subject of the first plague, the water and fish therein, the one shall bee turned into bloud, the other shall die, vers. 17. with the generall instrument Aarons rod, vers. 19. 2. Then followeth the execution by Moses, vers. 20. 3. Then the events follow: first, the fish die, the water stinketh, vers. 21. Secondly, Pharaohs heart is hardened, by reason of the like practice by the Egyptian Sorcerers, vers. 22, 23. Thirdly, the endevour of the Egyptians in digging pits for water.
2. The divers readings.
B. G. cum caeter.Vers. 1. Aaron thy brother shall be thy Prophet. B.G.A.P. cum caeter, shall be thine interpreter. I. the sense, but not the words: Nebi signifieth a Prophet.
B. G. cum caeter.Vers. 4. Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand. B. G. and I will lay my hand. L. V. A. P. S. H. rather, when I have laid my hand I. Pharaohs hardnesse of heart is set forth, as the cause rather, why the Lord would send his judgements, than an effect, as the former verse sheweth, and chap. 3.19.
So Moses and Aaron did, as Iehovah commanded them, so did they. I. A. P. better than, Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them: I. A. P.even so did they. B. G. cum caeter. for the perfect distinction ath…ah comming betweene, divideth the first part of the sentence.
Vers. 9. Shall be turned into a Dragon. I. A. P. S. rather than, a Serpent. B.G.V.L. Tanmin signifieth a Dragon:I. A. P. yet he meaneth a Serpent: called a Dragon, because of the fearfulnesse and greatnesse of it, as Moses fled from it. chap. 4.3.
Vers. 18. The Egyptians shall be grieved to drinke: that is, loath. B.G. shall be troubled in drinking. L. shall be wearied in drinking. B. G. L.I.V. shall not be able to drinke. S. shall labour. A.P. so Iaah signifieth, and it is sometime taken for to grieve, or loath, as Iob 4.2.
Of the water of the river. B.G. cum caeter. of every river. I. but in the originall there is no pronoune, but an article onelyonly set before;B. G. cum caeter. yet the same effect followed also in other rivers and waters.
Vers. 19. Stretch out thine hand against the water, as it is taken vers. 5. I will stretch forth H. mine hand rather upon the waters. V. L. cum caeter. as chap. 8. 5. Stretch forth thine hand to worke on the waters. I. to worke is inserted.
Vers. 23. He did not set his heart upon this. I.L.S.A.P.B. did not consider this in his heart. V. this yet did not enter into his heart. I. B. cum caeter.G.