THEOSISGregory of Nyssa
This repugnant and loud creature, resembling a toad, symbolizes those who are vile, both in their outward appearance and the foul odor they emit. These beings invade the homes and storage places of the Egyptians, yet they do not touch the lives of the Hebrews. Such corruptions of sin can be viewed as a toad, arising, much like mud, from the tainted heart of humanity. These toads inhabit the dwellings of those who choose a lifestyle akin to the Egyptians; they appear at their meals, remain in their abodes, and infiltrate their storerooms filled with provisions for life.
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When we observe a life that is unclean and unrestrained, born from vice and filth, and whose conduct resembles that of the unreasoning, it becomes clear that one who was created as a human can, through passion, regress to a bestial existence, thereby revealing a life that is earthly and communal. You will detect signs of such an affliction not only in their beds but also in their meals, in their storages, and throughout their homes. Such individuals showcase their licentiousness in all they do, making it easy for others to discern a life marked by moral decay through the cares that permeate their households. In the home of one given to lust, you may see artifacts on the walls intended to stir carnal desires, revealing the essence of their affliction. When faced with indecent images that stir the soul to passion, those who strive for purity must exercise vigilance and discernment to safeguard their sight from such temptations. The meals of the chaste are clean, in contrast to those of the morally corrupt, who partake in a feast surrounded by filth. If one were to inspect the storerooms, delving into the hidden aspects and secrets of their life, they would uncover an abundance of toads in all that is shameful.