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Exodus 8:19

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 8:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh`s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as Jehovah had spoken.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh`s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as Jehovah had spoken.
Exodus 8:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16And Jehovah said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the earth, that is may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
17And they did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and there were lice upon man, and upon beast; all the dust of the earth became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
18And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: and there were lice upon man, and upon beast.
19Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh`s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as Jehovah had spoken.
20And Jehovah said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
21Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon they servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.
22And I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am Jehovah in the midst of the earth.
← Exodus 8:18Exodus 8:20 →
← Full Chapter 8 Exodus Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, this is the finger of God, etc.] This is to be ascribed to a power superior to human, to a divine power; so long as they could do something similar, or impose upon the senses of men, and make them believe they did the like, they would not acknowledge divine omnipotence; but when they no longer could deceive the sight of Pharaoh and the Egyptian, then they own the effects of a superior power: and this they did partly to detract from the power of Moses and Aaron, because they would not have them pass for more skilful persons in the magic art than themselves; and therefore suggest, that this was done not by virtue of any human skill and art, but by the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The finger of God - This expression is thoroughly Egyptian; it need not imply that the magicians recognized Yahweh, the God who performed the marvel. They may possibly have referred it to as a god that was hostile to their own protectors. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“This is the finger of God - The power of God. The devil's agents, when God permitted them, could do great things; but when he laid an embargo upon them, they could do nothing. The magicians inability in this instance shewed whence they had their ability in the former instances, and that they had no power against Moses but what was given them from above. But Pharaoh's heart was hardened - By himself and the devil. Exodus 8:20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:19 This is the finger of God! See study note on 7:11.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“This is: Sa1 6:3, Sa1 6:9; Psa 8:3; Dan 2:10, Dan 2:11, Dan 2:19; Mat 12:28; Luk 11:20; Joh 11:47; Act 4:16 and Pharaoh's: Exo 8:15 Exodus 8:20”
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Related study paths

Read Exodus 8 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification