Another interpretation: “Rise early in the morning” – the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘This wicked one hardened his heart during the first three. The fourth plague is more severe than the previous ones; go and forewarn him that he should let My people go so the plague will not come upon him.’ “For, if you do not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms upon you, upon your servants, upon your people, and into your houses; and the houses of the Egyptians will be full of swarms, and also the ground on which they are.
I will distinguish on that day the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms will be there; so that you will know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth” (Exodus 8:17–18). “For, if you do not let My people go, behold, I will send…upon you…” – from where did they come upon them? Some say from above and some say from below. Rabbi Akiva says: From above and from below.
Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: The Holy One blessed be He said to them: ‘You made many multitudes over My children; I, too, will make upon you many multitudes of birds of the heavens and beasts of the land,’ as it is stated: “Behold, I will send swarms upon you” – beasts and birds intermingled. However, in the land of Goshen, in which Israel was residing, there were no swarms, as it is stated: “I will distinguish on that day the land of Goshen.”
Rabbi Ami says: It is like a person who says to another: ‘So-and-so will not be included in this penalty, as his patron, so-and-so, is standing over him.’3He is protecting them. “I will place a division between My people and your people, tomorrow this sign will be” (Exodus 8:19). “I will place a division between My people [and your people]” – this teaches that Israel was fit to be afflicted with this plague, but the Holy One blessed be He placed the Egyptians as their ransom.
In the future, too, the Holy One blessed be He will bring (ancient)4This word, which appears in some editions, was added by the non-Jewish censor. idolaters and cast them into Gehenna in place of Israel, as it is stated: “For I am the Lord your God, Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt as your ransom, Kush and Seva in your stead” (Isaiah 43:3).