Please Support the Bible Translation Work of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

$5.00

The seeming contradiction in the biblical text regarding the survival of Pharaoh’s horses in Exodus 14 after the livestock were said to have perished in Exodus 9 has long been a topic of inquiry. To resolve this issue, a careful examination of the text using the Historical-Grammatical method of interpretation is necessary. The goal is to assess the context, word usage, and the overall narrative flow while remaining faithful to the inspired Scriptures. This examination underscores the inerrancy of the Bible and the consistency of its accounts when properly understood.

The Death of Livestock in Exodus 9

In Exodus 9:1-7, God sent the fifth plague upon Egypt: a devastating pestilence targeting the livestock in the fields. The passage reads:

“Behold, the hand of Jehovah will fall with a very severe plague upon your livestock that are in the field, the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks. But Jehovah will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing of all that belongs to the people of Israel shall die.” (Exodus 9:3-4, ESV)

The text specifies that the plague struck the livestock in the field. This detail is critical for understanding the scope of the destruction. The verse does not imply that all livestock throughout Egypt were eradicated. Rather, only those exposed in the fields succumbed to the plague. Livestock that may have been sheltered or kept in stables were unaffected. This differentiation is further emphasized in Exodus 9:6:

“And the next day Jehovah did this thing. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one of the livestock of the people of Israel died.”

The phrase “all the livestock of the Egyptians died” reflects the totality of livestock affected by the plague in the specific category mentioned—those in the fields. It is not a statement about every single animal across all Egypt, as will be evidenced later.

Surviving Livestock Post-Plague

The narrative of Exodus provides further clues that some Egyptian livestock survived the plague. Exodus 9:20-21, during the warning for the seventh plague (hail), states:

“Then whoever feared the word of Jehovah among the servants of Pharaoh hurried his slaves and his livestock into the houses, but whoever did not pay attention to the word of Jehovah left his slaves and his livestock in the field.”

This passage explicitly mentions the existence of livestock after the fifth plague. Egyptians who feared Jehovah’s warning took steps to protect their remaining animals by sheltering them indoors. This demonstrates that the earlier pestilence had not eradicated all livestock, as some were either protected or acquired after the fifth plague. These surviving animals were vulnerable to the subsequent hail plague, as described in Exodus 9:25:

“The hail struck down everything that was in the field in all the land of Egypt, both man and beast.”

The pattern remains consistent: animals left exposed in the fields suffered the consequences of the plague, while those sheltered survived.

The Role of Horses in Exodus 14

By the time of the Red Sea crossing in Exodus 14, Pharaoh had access to a significant number of horses and chariots for his pursuit of the Israelites:

“And he took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them.” (Exodus 14:7)

This passage raises the question: Where did Pharaoh’s horses come from? Based on the evidence, there are several plausible explanations that align with the biblical text:

Surviving Horses From Earlier Plagues
As established, not all livestock perished during the fifth plague. Horses kept indoors or protected during subsequent plagues would have survived. Pharaoh’s stables, housing his most valuable warhorses, would likely have been prioritized for protection, ensuring that his military capabilities remained intact.
Acquisition of Livestock After the Plagues
Pharaoh and the Egyptians could have acquired livestock, including horses, from neighboring regions not affected by the plagues. Egypt was a major power in the ancient Near East and had trade relationships with other nations. It is reasonable to conclude that Pharaoh replenished his livestock to sustain the economy and military operations.
Gradual Recovery Between Plagues
The plagues were not instantaneous or without intervals. The text indicates time gaps between the plagues, providing an opportunity for Egypt to recover to some extent. Livestock from regions unaffected by the plagues, such as Goshen (where the Israelites lived), may have been seized or appropriated by the Egyptians to replace their losses.

Contextual and Linguistic Considerations

Understanding the Bible’s language and narrative style is crucial to resolving apparent difficulties. The use of phrases like “all the livestock of the Egyptians died” in Exodus 9:6 reflects a common Hebrew idiom for extensive destruction rather than absolute eradication. Similar usage is found in other biblical passages, such as:

Genesis 41:57: “All the earth came to Egypt to buy grain” does not mean every single person on the planet, but rather people from many nations.
Matthew 3:5: “Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him,” does not imply every individual.

The hyperbolic style emphasizes the magnitude of the event without requiring absolute literalness in every detail. This understanding aligns with the Historical-Grammatical method, respecting the original audience’s linguistic and cultural framework.

Theological Implications

The survival of Pharaoh’s horses and chariots underscores God’s sovereignty and strategic purpose in delivering Israel. Jehovah’s actions in the plagues demonstrated His power over Egyptian gods and the natural order, while also setting the stage for the climactic Red Sea event. Pharaoh’s pursuit and subsequent destruction serve as a powerful testimony to God’s deliverance of His people and judgment upon those who oppose Him.

As recorded in Exodus 15:1, the Israelites praised Jehovah for their deliverance:

“I will sing to Jehovah, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”

This passage highlights the ultimate futility of Pharaoh’s reliance on his military might, despite his ability to muster horses and chariots for the pursuit.

Conclusion

The apparent contradiction in the survival of Pharaoh’s horses in Exodus 14 after the fifth plague in Exodus 9 is resolvable through a careful reading of the text. The plague affected only livestock in the fields, leaving others unharmed. Subsequent plagues provided additional opportunities for survival or acquisition of animals. By considering context, linguistic usage, and historical realities, the consistency of the biblical account is evident. This reinforces the reliability of Scripture and highlights the providence of God in His dealings with both Egypt and Israel.

You May Also Enjoy

Exodus 3:2-6 — How Did God Appear to Moses in the Burning Bush?

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).