72 A disjunctive vav introduces the two verses that provide parenthetical information to the reader. Gesenius notes that the boldness of such clauses is often indicated by the repetition of nouns at the beginning (see §141.d). Some have concluded that because they have been put here rather than back after v. 25 or 26, they form part of Moses’ speech to Pharaoh, explaining that the crops that were necessary for humans were spared, but those for other things were destroyed. This would also mean that Moses was saying there is more that God can destroy (see B. Jacob, Exodus, 279).
73 The unusual forms נֻכָּתָה (nukkatah) in v. 31 and נֻכּוּ (nukku) in v. 32 are probably to be taken as old Qal passives. There are no attested Piel uses of the root.
74 The words “by the hail” are not in the Hebrew text, but are supplied from context.
75 Heb “was in the ear” (so , , , ); “had headed.”
76 Flax was used for making linen, and the area around Tanis was ideal for producing flax. Barley was used for bread for the poor people, as well as beer and animal feed.

In other versions

(The flax and the barley were struck down, for the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bud.

(The flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley had headed and the flax was in bloom.

The flax and the barley were destroyed because the barley was ripe and the flax was budding,

(All the flax and barley were ruined by the hail, because the barley had formed heads and the flax was budding.

And the flax and the barley were struck, because the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bud.

And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.

Public Domain