THEOSISEphraem the Syrian
Hail and fire unite, yet hail does not extinguish fire, nor does fire consume hail. Instead, hail ignites the fire like kindling, while the fire warms the hail as iron is heated in a forge, without incinerating the trees.
Exodus 9:24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And the hail and fire mixt with it drove on together: and it was of so great bigness, as never before was seen in the whole land of Egypt since that nation was founded.
וַיְהִ֣י בָרָ֔ד וְאֵ֕שׁ מִתְלַקַּ֖חַת בְּת֣וֹךְ הַבָּרָ֑ד כָּבֵ֣ד מְאֹ֔ד אֲ֠שֶׁר לֹֽא־הָיָ֤ה כָמֹ֙הוּ֙ בְּכָל־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם מֵאָ֖ז הָיְתָ֥ה לְגֽוֹי׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Wlastow G.K.
The precise meaning of Mitzrayim is uncertain; it may refer to either the Nile delta, which is known as lower Egypt, or the entire Nile valley extending up to the rapids. Both interpretations can be found within the sacred texts. The term fire amid the hailstones represents intense lightning or perhaps the unique occurrence known as St. Elmo's fire. According to Ch. Martin, during thunderstorms, electric flames may occasionally appear on the surfaces of the earth or water.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Matt 24:21For there shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be.
- Ex 10:6And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of thy servants, and of all the Egyptians: such a number as thy fathers have not seen, nor thy grandfathers, from the time they were first upon the earth, until this present day. And he turned himself away, and went forth from Pharao.
- Ex 9:23And Moses stretched forth his rod towards heaven, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightnings running along the ground: and the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt.