Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/178

 it was  turned  into  blood. Thereupon the  fish  died,  the  water was corrupted,  and  the  water  of  all  the  streams  and  ponds  in Egypt  was  turned  into  blood. And the  Egyptians  dug  new  wells round about  the  river;  for  they  could  not  drink  the  water  of  the river. Even then  the  heart  of  Pharao  did  not  relent. (First plague.)

After seven  days,  Aaron  stretched  forth  his  hand  over  the rivers and  streams  and  pools  of  Egypt,  and  inmediately  a multitude of  frogs  came  forth  from  the  waters,  and  covered  the  whole land of  Egypt. They entered  the  houses  and  the  ovens,  and covered the  tables  and  the  beds,  and  spared  neither  the  hut  of  the peasant nor  the  palace  of  the  king. Then Pharao,  being  frightened, called for  Moses  and  Aaron,  and  said  to  them:  "Pray  ye  the  Lord to  take  away  the  frogs  from  me,  and  from  my  people,  and  I will let  the  people  go  to  sacrifice  to  the  Lord.”  Moses  did  as  the  king desired,  and  the  frogs  disappeared.  (Second  plague.)

But when  Pharao  saw  that  the  frogs  were  gone,  he  hardened his heart  again. Then Aaron  was  commanded  by  God  to  strike with his  rod  the  dust. of the  earth;  and  instantly  myriads  of  gnats arose, and  tormented  both  men  and  beasts  throughout  all  Egypt. All the  dust  of  the  earth  was  turned  into  gnats. But Pharao  s heart  remained  obdurate. (Third plague.)

Then the  Lord  sent  a very  grievous  swarm  of  flies  into  the houses of  Pharao  and  his  servants,  and  the  whole  land  was  corrupted by  them. Then Pharao’s  heart  began  to  fail,  and  he  said to Moses  and  Aaron:  “I  will  let  you  go  to  sacrifice  to  the  Lord your God  in  the  wilderness;  but  go  no  further. Pray for  me.” But when  God,  at  the  prayer  of  Moses,  had  banished  the  flies, Pharao’s heart  grew  hard  again,  and  he  refused  to  let  the  people go. (Fourth plague.)

Then God  sent  a murrain  among  the  cattle,  which  destroyed the best  part  of  the  flocks  and  herds  of  the  Egyptians,  but  spared those of  the  Israelites. Still Pharao  would  not  submit. (Fifth plague.)

Then the  Lord  ordered  Moses  and  Aaron  to  sprinkle  ashes in the  air  in  presence  of  Pharao,  and  there  came  boils  with  swelling blains in  men  and  beasts. (Sixth plague.)

Then again  Moses  stretched  forth  his  rod  towards  heaven, and the  Lord  sent  down  thunder  and  hail  and  lightning  running along the  ground;  and  the  hail,  mixed  with  fire,  smote  every herb of  the  field  and  every  tree  of  the  country,  and  killed  every