And all the cattle of Egypt died— i.e. (as the context, and the subsequent part of the chapter, Exodus 9:19-20 shew) all the cattle which died was of Egypt: but of the cattle of the children, &c. died not one. What a sight must this have been to the Egyptians——to see the animals perishing by the hand of Jehovah, from which they not only derived their support, but many of which they esteemed and worshipped as sacred! Indeed, Bishop Warburton is of opinion, that the deities of Egypt were, during the most early ages, described by hieroglyphics; in which beasts, birds, plants, reptiles, and every species of the animal and vegetable creation, were used as symbols of their deities. The living animals expressed in hieroglyphic characters, were, in process of time, deemed sacred on account of this circumstance; though not worshipped till after the time of Moses. The subjecting, therefore, to this pestilence the living animals, whose pictures, in symbolic hieroglyphics, denoted the peculiar deities of the Egyptians, was, in effect, opposing and warring against the deities themselves. They who would see more on this subject must consult the Divine Legation.
REFLECTION.] Who can stand before this holy Lord God? His strokes fall still heavier. The grievous murrain is denounced and comes. The cattle of Egypt die, while those of Israel live. Pharaoh sends to see, yet rejects the conviction! Nothing will convince an obstinate sinner.