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Ruth 1:22
So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

Ruth 2:23
So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

Amos 4:9
I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devouredthem: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

since the barley was ripe
The timing of the plague is crucial. Barley ripens in Egypt around February or March, indicating that this plague occurred in the early spring. This detail helps to establish a timeline for the plagues and the Exodus narrative. The ripeness of the barley signifies that the harvest was imminent, making the destruction even more impactful as it would have been a time of expected abundance and provision.

and the flax was in bloom
Flax blooms around the same time as barley ripens, reinforcing the early spring setting. The blooming of flax indicates that it was at a vulnerable stage, susceptible to damage from the hail. This detail underscores the precision of God's judgment, as He targeted the crops at a time when their destruction would be most detrimental. The mention of flax also connects to the broader biblical theme of God's provision and the consequences of disobedience, as seen in other scriptural accounts where agricultural prosperity is linked to covenant faithfulness.

• The seventh plague—hail mixed with fire—struck Egypt with enough force to “strike down every man and beast,” and it “shattered every tree in the field” (Exodus 9:25).

• By noting that two specific crops perished, Scripture lets us see:

– The judgment was measurable, not random. God’s hand targeted Egypt’s economy just as He had promised (Exodus 9:14).

– Egypt’s gods supposedly guarded agriculture, yet they were powerless (Isaiah 19:1).

– Only in Goshen, where God’s people lived, was there protection (Exodus 9:26), foreshadowing the salvation God supplies to those under His covenant.

• Barley heads out first, usually late winter/early spring. Timing matters:

– The plague lands when Egypt assumes an abundant harvest is secure (Proverbs 27:1).

– God’s warnings through Moses (Exodus 9:19) stressed urgency. Those who heeded sheltered their servants and livestock; the complacent suffered loss—an object lesson in responding to God’s Word.

• The verse quietly dates the plague around the month of Abib/Nisan, the season God would soon mark for the Passover (Exodus 12:2). Judgment and redemption are set on the same calendar—another sign of God’s orderly plan (Galatians 4:4–5).

• Flax, key for linen, flowers just after barley ripens. By striking flax:

– God disrupted Egypt’s textile industry, not just its food supply (Ezekiel 30:12).

– Linen clothed priests and Pharaoh (Genesis 41:42), so the plague touched religious and royal symbols, displaying that no earthly splendor stands before the Lord (Isaiah 40:6–8).

• The detail underscores literal history: Moses notes crops that would indeed be vulnerable at that exact season, affirming Scripture’s reliability (Luke 1:3–4).

Exodus 9:31 is more than agricultural trivia. By recording that ripe barley and blooming flax were destroyed, the Spirit pinpoints the plague’s timing, shows the precision of divine judgment, exposes Egypt’s false security, and contrasts it with God’s faithful protection of His people. The verse invites believers to trust every detail of God’s Word and to respond promptly when He speaks.