Easton's Bible Dictionary: M. G. Easton, M.A., D.D.
A "stroke" of affliction, or disease. Sent as a divine chastisement (Num. 11:33, 14:37, 16:46-49; 2 Sam. 24:21). Painful afflictions or diseases, (Lev. 13:3, 5, 30; 1 Ki. 8:37), or severe calamity (Mk. 5:29; Lk. 7:21), or the judgment of God, so called (Ex. 9:14). Plagues of Egypt were ten in number.
- The river Nile was turned into blood, and the fish died, and the river stank, so that the Egyptians loathed to drink of the river (Ex. 7:14-25).
- The plague of frogs (Ex. 8:1-15).
- The plague of lice (Heb.kinnim, properly gnats or mosquitoes; comp. Ps. 78:45, 105:31), "out of the dust of the land" (Ex. 8:16-19).
- The plague of flies (Heb.arob, rendered by the LXX. dog-fly), Ex. 8:21-24.
- The murrain (Ex. 9:1-7), or epidemic pestilence which carried off vast numbers of cattle in the field. Warning was given of its coming.
- The sixth plague, of "boils and blains," like the third, was sent without warning (Ex. 9:8-12). It is called (Dt. 28:27) "the botch of Egypt," A.V.; but in R.V., "the boil of Egypt." "The magicians could not stand before Moses" because of it.
- The plague of hail, with fire and thunder (Ex. 9:13-33). Warning was given of its coming. (Comp. Ps. 18:13, 105:32, 33).
- The plague of locusts, which covered the whole face of the earth, so that the land was darkened with them (Ex. 10:12-15). The Hebrew name of this insect, arbeh, points to the "multitudinous" character of this visitation. Warning was given before this plague came.
- After a short interval the plague of darkness succeeded that of the locusts; and it came without any special warning (Ex. 10:21-29). The darkness covered "all the land of Egypt" to such an extent that "they saw not one another." It did not, however, extend to the land of Goshen.
- The last and most fearful of these plagues was the death of the first-born of man and of beast (Ex. 11:4, 5, 12:29, 30). The exact time of the visitation was announced, "about midnight", which would add to the horror of the infliction. Its extent also is specified, from the first-born of the king to the first-born of the humblest slave, and all the first-born of beasts. But from this plague the Hebrews were completely exempted. The Lord "put a difference" between them and the Egyptians.