Exodus 9:7

“And Pharaoh sent, etc.] Messengers to the land of Goshen, to see whether the murrain was upon the cattle of Israel or not, and whether any of them died or not. The Targum of Jonathan is, “he sent to Pelusium to see” and inquire about this matter; that is, to Raamses, for so that paraphrase calls Raamses in (<020111>Exodus 1:11) a city built by the Israelites, and where many of them might dwell. This Pharaoh did, not merely out of curiosity, but to know whether the divine prediction was accomplished, and that he might have wherewith to confront it, could he find the murrain was upon any of the cattle of Israel, or any died of it; and if they did not, his view might be to convert them to his…”

“Pharaoh sent . . . there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead--The despatch of confidential messengers indicates that he would not give credit to vague reports, and we may conclude that some impression had been made on his mind by that extraordinary exemption, but it was neither a good nor a permanent impression. His pride and obstinacy were in no degree subdued.”

“Was hardened - See Exodus 4:21. Pharaoh probably attributed the exemption of the Israelites to natural causes. They were a pastoral race, well acquainted with all that pertained to the care of cattle; and dwelling in a healthy district probably far more than the rest of Lower Egypt. return to 'Top of Page'”

“the heart: Exo 9:12, Exo 7:14, Exo 8:32; Job 9:4; Pro 29:1; Isa 48:4; Dan 5:20; Rom 9:18 Exodus 9:8”

“But Pharaoh's heart still continued hardened, though he convinced himself by direct inquiry that the cattle of the Israelites had been spared. Exodus 9:8”