Verse 33. - He smote their vines also and their fig trees. The hail "smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field" (Exodus 9:25; comb. Psalm 78:47). The sceptical objection that Egypt had no vines has long been given up. And brake the trees of their coasts. Hail, though it cannot "break" trees of any size, may do great damage to the leaves and the smaller branches.

105:24-45 As the believer commonly thrives best in his soul when under the cross; so the church also flourishes most in true holiness, and increases in number, while under persecution. Yet instruments shall be raised up for their deliverance, and plagues may be expected by persecutors. And see the special care God took of his people in the wilderness. All the benefits bestowed on Israel as a nation, were shadows of spiritual blessings with which we are blessed in Christ Jesus. Having redeemed us with his blood, restored our souls to holiness, and set us at liberty from Satan's bondage, he guides and guards us all the way. He satisfies our souls with the bread of heaven, and the water of life from the Rock of salvation, and will bring us safely to heaven. He redeems his servants from all iniquity, and purifies them unto himself, to be a peculiar people, zealous of good works.He smote their vines also, and their fig trees,.... So that they died; for in Psalm 78:47, it is said, he "killed" them; and it is not only used in common speech with us, but with classical writers (b) to speak of killing inanimate things, as trees, herbs, &c. That is, the hail smote them, or God by the hail; these are particularly mentioned because most useful, producing grapes and figs.

And brake the trees of their coasts: all the trees within the borders of their land, Exodus 9:25.

(b) "----interice messes", Virgil. Georgic. l. 4. "Neque herbas crescere et interfici", Ciceron. Oeconom: ex Xenophon, l. 3.