Library Theodoret Questions on Exodus
Questions on Exodus 19: Why the first plague was of water
Why then does he bring upon them first the plague of the water?
First, because they prided themselves greatly on the river and thought it a god, providing them the service of the clouds; next, also because of the infants of the Jews who had been consigned to it. For changed into blood, it accuses the child-murder that had taken place. For this reason the waters also gushed forth the frogs, given back in place of the children drowned in them. For infants somehow imitate frogs when they walk; for not yet being able to use the feet alone, they aid the weakness of the feet with the hands. And the land stank from the frogs; since “the bruises of the Egyptians also stank and putrefied” from their abundant wickedness.
Greek: Theodoret of Cyrus, Quaestiones in Octateuchum / Questions on Exodus (CPG 6200.02; cf. Fernández Marcos and Sáenz-Badillos; also PG 80, cols. 225–298). English: study translation for BWAB Library—not the copyrighted Robert C. Hill (CUA Press) translation. The full Questions on Exodus (72 questions) is hosted here.