Exodus 8:2

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 8:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:
Exodus 8:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And if thou refuse to let them go, etc.] Will not obey the orders: I will smite all thy borders with frogs; he gives him warning of the blow before he strikes, which shows his clemency and goodness, his patience and longsuffering; and this he did, not only that he might have time and space for repentance, and thereby avoid the blow; but that when it came, he might be sensible it was not by chance, or owing to second causes, but was from the Lord himself. I will smite all thy borders with frogs: fill the whole land of Egypt with them, to the utmost borders thereof on every side. Some f213 say the word signifies a large Egyptian fish, which in the Arabic tongue is called Altamsach, that is, a…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I will smite all thy borders with frogs--Those animals, though the natural spawn of the river, and therefore objects familiar to the people, were on this occasion miraculously multiplied to an amazing extent, and it is probable that the ova of the frogs, which had been previously deposited in the mire and marshes, were miraculously brought to perfection at once.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“With frogs - Some months appear to have elapsed between this and the former plague, if the frogs made their appearance at the usual time, that is in September. The special species mentioned here is of Egyptian origin. This plague was, like the preceding, in general accordance with natural phenomena, but marvelous both for its extent and intensity, and for its direct connection with the words and acts of God’s messengers. It had also apparently, like the other plagues, a direct bearing upon Egyptian superstitions. There was a female deity with a frog’s head, and the frog was connected with the most ancient forms of nature-worship in Egypt. 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
“All thy borders - All the land that is within thy borders. Exodus 8:3”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“refuse: Exo 7:14, Exo 9:2 frogs: The Hebrew tzephardêim is evidently the same with the Arabic zafda, Chaldaic oordeânaya, and Syriac oordeai, all of which denote frogs, as almost all interpreters, both ancient and modern, agree to render it; Bochart conceives, from tzifa, a bank, and rada, mud, because of delighting in muddy and marshy places. Psa 78:45, Psa 105:30; Rev 16:13, Rev 16:14 Exodus 8:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification