And the magicians did so — By God's permission with their enchantments; and this served Pharaoh for an excuse not to set his heart to this also, (Exodus 7:23,) and a poor excuse it was. Could they have turned the river of blood into water again, it had been something; then they had proved their power, and Pharaoh had been obliged to them as his benefactors.
Related Commentaries of Exodus 7:22
Exodus 7:22
22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.