THEOSISEphraem the Syrian
The oxen were unable to remain before Moses, as they were incapable of causing scabs to appear on the bodies of the Hebrews, nor was there any area on their bodies where scabs could be manifested.
Exodus 9:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
Neither could the magicians stand before Moses, for the boils that were upon them, and in all the land of Egypt.
וְלֹֽא־יָכְל֣וּ הֽ͏ַחַרְטֻמִּ֗ים לַעֲמֹ֛ד לִפְנֵ֥י מֹשֶׁ֖ה מִפְּנֵ֣י הַשְּׁחִ֑ין כִּֽי־הָיָ֣ה הַשְּׁחִ֔ין בּֽ͏ַחֲרְטֻמִּ֖ם וּבְכָל־מִצְרָֽיִם׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Wlastow G.K.
The learned men, just like all the Egyptians who suffered from afflictions, appear to have earnestly acknowledged their inability to contend with Moses before Pharaoh. In fact, as stated in verse 19 of chapter 8, they recognized the hand of God in the plagues of gnats; it was only Pharaoh who refused to perceive this truth.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Rev 16:2And the first went and poured out his vial upon the earth. And there fell a sore and grievous wound upon men who had the character of the beast: and upon them that adored the image thereof.
- 2 Tim 3:8Now as Jannes and Mambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth, men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.
- 2 Tim 3:9But they shall proceed no farther: for their folly shall be manifest to all men, as theirs also was.
- Ex 8:18And the magicians with their enchantments practised in like manner, to bring forth sciniphs, and they could not: and there were sciniphs as well on men as on beasts.
- Ex 8:19And the magicians said to Pharao: This is the finger of God. And Pharao's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them, as the Lord had commanded.
- Ex 7:11And Pharao called the wise men and the magicians; and they also by Egyptian enchantments and certain secrets, did in like manner.
- Ex 7:12And they every one cast down their rods, and they were turned into serpents: but Aaron's rod devoured their rods.
- Isa 47:12Stand now with thy enchanters, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, in which thou hast laboured from thy youth, if so be it may profit thee any thing, or if thou mayst become stronger.