And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.

And all the Egyptians dug round about the river for water to drink: for they could not drink of the water of the river.

and all the Egyptians seek water round about the river to drink, for they have not been able to drink of the waters of the River.

And all the Egyptians dig round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.

And all the Egyptians made holes round about the Nile to get drinking-water, for they were not able to make use of the Nile water.

Then all the Egyptians dug along the borders of the river for water to drink. For they were not able to drink from the water of the river.

Foderunt autem omnes Aegyptii per circuitum fluminis, ut aquas biberent, quia non poterant bibere ex aquis fluminis.

And all the Egyptians digged round about the river,.... On each side of it, in order to get clear water; and Aben Ezra thinks the Hebrews also, who were affected with this, and the two following plagues, the frogs and lice: but it is much more reasonable to conclude that they were free from them all. This they did
for water to drink: for there was none in the river, streams, ponds and pools, or in vessels, in which they used to reserve it, and therefore could come at none but by digging; and whether they obtained any in that way is not said:
for they could not drink of the waters of the river; it being turned into blood, and stunk so exceedingly; and though they might strain it, and make it in some measure, drinkable, and might make use of the juice of herbs, and other things, to extinguish their thirst, and the better sort might have a stock of wine, yet multitudes must be greatly distressed, and many perish, as Philo (n) the Jew says they did.
(n) De Vita Mosis, l. 1. p. 617.