hand of God was first laid upon the cattle, or rather upon the domesticated animals in general (ver. 3). These were made to suffer from a “murrain” or epidemic pestilence, which carried off vast numbers. Such visitations are not uncommon in Egypt, and generally fall with especial force on the Delta, where the existing Pharaoh and the Hebrew people resided. The miraculous character of the visitation at this time was indicated, 1. By its announcement, and appearance on the day appointed (vers. 3–6);