The magicians were last mentioned in 8.19. They included the “wise men” and “sorcerers” in ancient Egypt. (See the discussion at 7.11.) Could not stand before Moses means that “they were not able to appear” (Good News Translation). But it may also mean that they were physically unable to stand up because of the boils. Some translations, however, interpret this to mean only that they “were no match for Moses” (New English Bible), or “could not face Moses” (Jerusalem Bible), or “could not hold their ground before Moses” (Moffatt). This suggests that they no longer had any will to oppose him, which was probably true.

But the reason is clear: for the boils were upon the magicians. This emphasizes all the more why they were unable to make an appearance. Good News Translation concludes that “they were covered with boils,” as do Jerusalem Bible and New Jerusalem Bible. At the very least they were certainly afflicted just “like all the other Egyptians” (Good News Translation). Translators are urged to follow Good News Translation‘s model. Contemporary English Version has “The magicians were suffering so much from sores, that they could not even come to Moses,” but fails to include the final phrase, and upon all the Egyptians. This should not be omitted in translation.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .