21 But those who ignored the word of the Lord left their slaves and livestock in the field.
21 but whoever did not pay attention to the word of the Lord left his slaves and his livestock in the field.
21 but those who didn't take God's word seriously left their workers and animals out in the field.
21 But he who did not regard the word of the Lord left his servants and his livestock in the field.
21 But those who paid no attention to the word of the Lord left theirs out in the open.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 9:21
Commentary on Exodus 9:13-21
(Read Exodus 9:13-21)
Moses is here ordered to deliver a dreadful message to Pharaoh. Providence ordered it, that Moses should have a man of such a fierce and stubborn spirit as this Pharaoh to deal with; and every thing made it a most signal instance of the power of God has to humble and bring down the proudest of his enemies. When God's justice threatens ruin, his mercy at the same time shows a way of escape from it. God not only distinguished between Egyptians and Israelites, but between some Egyptians and others. If Pharaoh will not yield, and so prevent the judgment itself, yet those that will take warning, may take shelter. Some believed the things which were spoken, and they feared, and housed their servants and cattle, and it was their wisdom. Even among the servants of Pharaoh, some trembled at God's word; and shall not the sons of Israel dread it? But others believed not, and left their cattle in the field. Obstinate unbelief is deaf to the fairest warnings, and the wisest counsels, which leaves the blood of those that perish upon their own heads.