Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 7:4

But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, [and] my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.

4. lay my hand ] severely, to inflict the great ‘judgements’ (see on Exo 6:6; and cf. Exo 12:12), which ultimately effected Israel’s deliverance.

my hosts ] See on Exo 6:26.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

4, 5. I may lay mine hand uponEgypt, &c.The succession of terrible judgments with whichthe country was about to be scourged would fully demonstrate thesupremacy of Israel’s God.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you,…. Regard not what they said, nor answer the demand they made, or obey the command of God delivered by them to him: this the Lord apprised them of, that they might not be discouraged, and conclude their labour would be in vain, their attempts fruitless, and they should never gain their point, but spend their time, and expose themselves to danger to no purpose:

that I may lay mine hand upon Egypt; the inhabitants of Egypt, smiting them with one plague after another, and particularly with the last, slaying their firstborn; every plague was a stroke of his hand, and an effect of his mighty power and vengeance, and more especially that:

and bring forth mine armies; the children of Israel consisting of 600,000 men, besides women and children, Ex 12:37 which, divided into twelve tribes, made twelve fine armies, 50,000 men in a tribe or army upon an average:

and my people the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; the word “and” need not be supplied; if any supplement is necessary, the word “even” would be better, since this clause is added by way of explanation, showing who are meant by the armies of the Lord, his people to be brought out:

by great judgments; inflicted upon the Egyptians.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

: “I will lay My hand on Egypt,” i.e., smite Egypt, “and bring out My armies, My people, the children of Israel.” (armies) is used of Israel, with reference to its leaving Egypt equipped (Exo 13:18) and organized as an army according to the tribes (cf. Exo 6:26 and Exo 12:51 with Num 1 and 2), to contend for the cause of the Lord, and fight the battles of Jehovah. In this respect the Israelites were called the hosts of Jehovah. The calling of Moses and Aaron was now concluded. Exo 7:6 and Exo 7:7 pave the way for the account of their performance of the duties consequent upon their call.

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

(4) Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay.Heb., Pharaoh will not hearken unto you, and I will lay. No relation of effect and cause is here asserted as existing between the two clauses, which are co-ordinate.

Mine armies, and my people. Rather, my armies, my people. The two expressions are in appositionthe second exegetical of the first.

Great judgments.See the comment on Exo. 6:6.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

4. But Pharaoh shall not hearken There is nothing imperative or determinative in the use of the verb here; it is a simple future, and the verbs following are to be translated as futures, thus: But Pharaoh will not hearken and I will lay my hand upon Egypt, and will bring forth mine armies and the Egyptians will know .

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments