Exodus 9:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Douay-RheimsHebrew (Masoretic text)

For now I will stretch out my hand to strike thee, and thy people, with pestilence, and thou shalt perish from the earth.
Douay-Rheims

כִּ֤י עַתָּה֙ שָׁלַ֣חְתִּי אֶת־יָדִ֔י וָאַ֥ךְ אוֹתְךָ֛ וְאֶֽת־עַמְּךָ֖ בַּדָּ֑בֶר וַתִּכָּחֵ֖ד מִן־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

3 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Augustine of Hippo
Roshdestwenski W.G.
Wlastow G.K.

Augustine of Hippo

5th centuryChurch Father

Since God embodies perfect righteousness, the apostle Paul promptly explained, For the Scripture states to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I appointed you, that I might show my power over you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth’ (Rom. 9:17). In summarizing the discussion on mercy and judgment, he further declares: Therefore he has mercy on whom he wishes; and whom he wishes he hardens (Rom. 9:18). His mercy is bestowed solely due to his immense goodness, while the hardening is not an act of injustice; thus, the justified cannot boast of their own merits, and the condemned can only mourn their transgressions. It is by grace alone that the redeemed are distinguished from the lost, who are united by a common origin in the predicament of perdition.

Roshdestwenski W.G.

Teacher of the Church

The Lord reveals to Moses that He will now stretch out His hand to afflict Pharaoh and his people with a plague, causing them to perish from the land. While Pharaoh and his horsemen did not meet their end in Egypt, they were instead drowned in the sea, as the waters roared back, engulfing the chariots, the horsemen, and the entirety of Pharaoh's might, leaving none remaining (Ex. 14:28).

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EXPLANATION. The term pestilence is interpreted by some to denote every form of human affliction that leads to total destruction. In this context, it also conveys the threat of impending plagues. However, it is evident from earlier discussions that this references the specific plague known as the pestilence. Others relate this to the final plague, where the firstborn of Egypt suffered from the affliction; yet, this did not affect Pharaoh or his entire populace. When we examine the very essence and authority of God's words, we see His declaration: "Now, when My hand has passed over you, I will strike you and slay your people." The reason for Pharaoh's current survival is as follows: While I could have indeed obliterated you with the same pestilence that took your livestock, I have allowed you to remain, so that you may witness My power and sovereignty. I assure you that everything lies within My absolute ability to execute upon you, whether it be the outpouring of My might or the destruction of your people. Yet, for the time being, I choose not to annihilate you. Therefore, it is essential for you to grasp the magnitude of My divine nature, which no one can withstand. The continuity of these statements makes it plain that God could have swiftly eradicated Pharaoh and all Egyptians with the pestilence as He had done with the livestock; however, He allowed them to endure to amplify His might and glory through further afflictions.

Wlastow G.K.

19th centuryCommentator

Since you have incurred My anger, you ought to have been removed from the earth. The following verse clarifies why the rightful judgment already declared against the unrighteous Pharaoh has not yet been enacted.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.