For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.
For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee. This verse, as it stands in our version, contains an apparent contradiction to facts; because neither Pharaoh nor his people were smitten with pestilence, nor was he by any malignant disorder cut off from the earth. And as yet no premonition was given of the fatal catastrophe which in the end was to befall both the king and his subjects. х shaalaachtiy (H7971) is in the past tense, not the future, and by so rendering it, as a subjoined or conditional clause, all ambiguity is removed. 'For had I stretched out my hand and smitten thee and thy people, thou shouldst have been cut off from the earth. But, truly, on this very account have I caused thee to stand - i:e., set thee up (Septuagint, dieteereethees, hast thou been preserved), that I might make thee see my power, and for the sake of celebrating my name in all the earth (land).']
The superintendence of a particular Providence is here very distinctly declared. Not only is there a preparation made for the approaching nationality and religious education of Israel, as the infant church, but the course of events in the world without is regulated with a view to the same important object. Egypt, within which Israel was to be received for a time, was at the highest pitch of civilization and glory as a world-kingdom; the reigning monarch was distinguished by that imperious temper or iron will that would exhibit despotism in its fullest exercise. The national resources were so great and flourishing, that the guardian deities, to whose special favour these were ascribed, were never worshipped with more ardent and superstitious devotion: so that here was a field for a fair experiment of what human might could do in opposing the declared will and purposes of the Most High. Pharaoh was a type of sinners; and in the forbearance and mercy so long shown to him, viewed in connection with the doom to which, for incorrigible obduracy, he was consigned, the gracious as well as inflexibly righteous character of God was remarkably displayed. This record of it being preserved in the sacred history has led to "His name being declared throughout all the earth."