John Calvin on Exodus 7:23-25

23. And Pharaoh turned. In this word Moses teaches us that the hardness of heart, to which God had devote Pharaoh, was voluntary; so that the sin rested in himself, nor did the secret appointment of God avail anything to lessen his culpability, for his folly is condemned, because he did not “set his heart to this also.” Whence it follows that he was the author of his own obstinacy, because, being blinded by pride and contempt, he took no account of the glory of God. Thus the wicked, although as being vessels of wrath, they are cast of God into a reprobate mind, still harden themselves, because wittingly and willfully they run against God, and thus their security, audacity, and perverseness take away from them the excuse of ignorance or error. Wherefore this example warns us not to slumber when God arouses us, but attentively to consider His works, which may instruct us to reverence and fear Him. The statement that the Egyptians dug wells for themselves increases the certainty of the miracle, as does also what is added as to the seven days; for if the corruption of the water had only been momentary, some suspicion of delusion might have crept in, which was removed both by the continued taste and appearance. Therefore it was said before, that the Egyptians would suffer inconvenience and pain He seems to allude to verse 18, which he translates “et molestia afficientur Aegyptii, bibendo aquas ex flumine.” from the want of water; for thus I explain it, that they should be sorrowful and afflicted, viz., because they had nothing to drink.

EXODUS 8

Exodus 8:1-7

1. And the Lord spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

1. Dixit autem Jehova ad Mosen, Vade ad Pharaonem, et dic ad eum, Sic dicit Jehova, Dimitte populum meum ut serviant mihi.

2. And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:

2. Quod si tu renuis dimittere, ecce, ego percutio omnes terminos tuos ranis.

3. And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up, and come into thine house, and into thy bed-chamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneading-troughs:

3. Et scatebit flumen ranis, quae ascendent, et intrabunt domum tuam, et conclave cubilis tui, et super lectum tuum, et in domum servorum tuorum, et in populum tuum, et in furnos tuos, et in panaria tua. (Heb. farinas tuas.)

4. And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.

4. Itaque in te, et in populum tuum, et in omnes servos ascendent ranae.

5. And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.

5. Et ait Jehova ad Mosen, Dic ad Aharon, Extende manum tuam cum virga tua super fluvios, super rivos, et super stagna, ut adducas ranas super terram Aegypti.

6. And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.

6. Et extendit Aharon manum suam super aquas Aegypti, et ascenderunt ranae, operueruntque terram Aegypti.

7. And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.

7. Et sic fecerunt magi incantationibus suis: nempe adducendo ranas super terram Aegypti.