Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 9:11
And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.
11. The magicians (Exo 7:11; Exo 7:22, Exo 8:7; Exo 8:18-19) this time are not only not able to imitate the plague, but are themselves attacked by it.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
This verse seems to imply that the magicians now formally gave way and confessed their defeat.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 11. The boil was upon the magicians] They could not produce a similar malady by throwing ashes in the air; and they could neither remove the plague from the people, nor from their own tormented flesh. Whether they perished in this plague we know not, but they are no more mentioned. If they were not destroyed by this awful judgment, they at least left the field, and no longer contended with these messengers of God. The triumph of God’s power was now complete, and both the Hebrews and the Egyptians must see that there was neither might, nor wisdom, nor counsel against the Lord; and that, as universal nature acknowledged his power, devils and men must fail before him.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Could not stand before Moses, as they hitherto had done, both as spies and as adversaries; for though their understandings were convinced of Gods hand and infinite power, yet their hearts were not changed; but for their worldly interest they persisted to rebel against their light., and therefore are justly plagued. It was no favour to Pharaoh that the plague was not upon him, but only a reservation to a greater mischief, as it follows.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And the magicians could not stand before Moses, because of the boils,…. Which were on them as on others, and which with all their art and skill they could not keep off; and which were so sore upon them, and painful to them, that they were obliged to withdraw, and could not stand their ground, confronting Moses, contesting and litigating with him; for it seems, though they had not acted, nor attempted to act in imitation of Moses and Aaron, since the plague of the lice, yet they still continued about Pharaoh, lessening as much as in them lay the miracles wrought by them, and suggesting that they had done the most and the worst they could, and so contributing to harden the heart of Pharaoh against the people of Israel; wherefore they were righteously punished with boils for so doing, and for their contempt of the messengers and miracles of God, and for their imposition upon men, and their deception of them:
for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians; but not upon Moses and Aaron, nor upon any of the Israelites, and was afterwards called peculiarly the botch of Egypt, De 28:27.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
11. And the magicians could not. Since the magicians were now also at hand, doubtless they were possessed by their former folly, so that they stood in readiness, as it were, in case an opportunity of contention should be offered them. And, in fact, since Satan, although ten times conquered, is still perpetually hurried forward with indefatigable obstinacy, so neither do his ministers desist from their madness, notwithstanding they have experienced how unsuccessful are their battles. These enchanters had lately confessed that their art availed no farther, and yet they embolden themselves to try all extremities, until the disease of the boils drives them back in disgrace. Wherefore, that we may not betray our madness by similar audacity, let us learn to give God His full glory by voluntary submission. But that Pharaoh, when not only deprived of their assistance, but even when abandoned, and without their presence, is neither changed nor softened, proves that he was not so much deceived by the impostures of others, as stupefied by his own malice and perversity; although Moses here repeats that “his heart was hardened by God;” because He desired, as if by an opposing barrier, to have an opportunity for manifesting His power. And here their ignorance is refuted, who imagine that God is endued with mere prescience; for when “as the Lord has spoken” is added, He attributes both in conjunction to Himself, viz., the effect as well as the foreknowledge. On this point we shall enlarge a little further on; yet let us remark that at the same time the tyrant was not absolved from crime, for that his hardness of heart was voluntary. The blains, which were epidemic on the cattle, are a proof that they did not all die in the former catastrophe.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(11) The magicians could not stand before Moses.It is uncertain whether the magicians were present accidentally, or had come for the express purpose of withstanding Moses (2Ti. 3:8). The latter may be suspected, as the plague was made to fall with special violence upon them.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
11. And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils Thus had these supernatural inflictions advanced in severity, till now the idolatrous prophets were all stricken down, and we hear of them no more . After the third plague, or at the end of the first triad of these inflictions, they had been compelled to own a supernatural power, and said, This is the finger of the gods; and now, at the end of the second triad, they retire wholly discomfited . Probably this also, as well as the plague of lice, was one which incapacitated the priests for their service by making them unclean, so that the altars of the idols were deserted.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Exo 9:11. The magicians could not stand before Moses, &c. Baffled before, and wholly conquered, the magicians, it is probable, still continued about Pharaoh, and were eye-witnesses of the several transactions recorded: but now, to reduce them to the lowest contempt, and to deprive them of even the shadow of influence, they share in the common calamity, and, afflicted with the sore disease, are unable even to shew their heads! Henceforth we hear no more of them; so complete was the triumph of Moses and Aaron.
REFLECTIONS. To humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, is the way to avert his judgments; to harden our heart, is but to increase them. Behold another plague: that affected their cattle, this their persons; a boil, as painful as loathsome. The fire of the furnace never scorched the Israelites so much as this dust the bodies of the Egyptians. Not even the magicians could stand before it; their folly is now as manifest as their sufferings are grievous. Note; 1. God will most severely deal with those who have been most instrumental in deceiving and hardening others. 2. Though the devil delude men into sin, he cannot preserve them from suffering. Pharaoh still is hardened: he had rejected God’s warnings, and now his impenitence is both his punishment and crime. Note; When men reject God, it is just that they should be rejected by him.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Exo 9:11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.
Ver. 11. For the boil was upon the magicians. ] Who were convicted, but not converted. Exo 8:19 They stood still to withstand Moses: as Balaam, against the light of his own conscience, was resolved to curse, howsoever; and therefore went not aside as at other times to speak with God, but set his face toward the wilderness; like a headstrong horse that gets the bit in his teeth, and runs away with his rider.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Egyptians. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “all the land of Egypt”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Exo 7:11, Exo 7:12, Exo 8:18, Exo 8:19, Isa 47:12-14, 2Ti 3:8, 2Ti 3:9, Rev 16:2
Reciprocal: Gen 41:8 – the magicians of Egypt Exo 15:26 – diseases Deu 7:15 – will put none Deu 9:2 – Who can stand Deu 28:27 – the botch Isa 44:25 – maketh Mic 3:7 – the seers Act 8:9 – used Rev 13:13 – he doeth
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Exo 9:11. The magicians could not stand before Moses We do not read of any attempt they made to vie with Moses in miracles since the plague of the lice. But it would seem from this passage that they still continued about Pharaoh, and endeavoured to settle him in his resolution not to let Israel go: persuading him, perhaps, that although Moses had the better of them for the present, yet they should at last be too hard for him. But now, being on a sudden smitten with these ulcers, in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, they were rendered so contemptible, that they durst not again look either Moses or Pharaoh in the face; for we hear no more of them after this time. To this, it seems, the apostle refers, (2Ti 3:9,) when he says their folly was manifested unto all men.