Another explanation: "With a strong hand" corresponds to two plagues; "with an outstretched forearm" two plagues; "with great awe" two plagues; "with signs" two plagues; "with wonders" two plagues. Another explanation: "With a strong hand" ביד חזקה corresponds to two plagues.” The Maggid interpreted “A strong hand” as a reference to the plagues of blood and frogs. Yad (arm) is a reference to the plague of blood, as Scripture states, “Take out your staff and stretch forth your hand.” It took place with the stretching out of the hand. Hazakah (strong) is a reference to the plague of frogs because it was a mighty plague wherever it occurred - even in one’s house or outside. The frogs even entered people’s stomach and intestines, causing death and bodily suffering. These were the first two of the plagues. ובזרוע נטויה “And with an outstretched arm (Zeroa Netuyah)” is a reference to lice and wild animals, according to the order in which the plagues occurred. Arm (zeroa) is a reference to lice because the magicians admitted, against their will, that this plague was the finger of God and that it outdid their magic. Rabbeinu Bachya writes chartumim, magicians, is written without a vav because ten portions of witchcraft were given to the world and most of them were present in Egypt. In the end, however, the Egyptian’s magical wisdom was still lacking during this plague. That may be why Kinim (lice) was written, כנם, without a yud. It was to show that the Egyptians were lacking a tenth portion of magic. That is why it was appropriate to hint at lice with the word zeroah, “arm.” For this plague illustrated the arm of God which made the magicians say, “It is the finger of God.” Zeroa, (outstretched), is made up of the same letters as the word ozer, helper. The Egyptians knew from the plague of lice that Israel had a helper and protector. Netuyah, outstretched, is an allusion to the plague of wild animals, for the sages say that it would have been appropriate for Egypt to rise up and smite the Israelites as a response. But before they could rise against the Israelites, the animals rose up against them. As the Pasikta says, “This is the bread,” - this is a reference that the Egyptians were extremely frugal so that the image of God left them and they acted like animals; as a result the animals ruled over Egypt. They continued to be outstretched over Egypt because the Egyptians remained frugal and this left them with a despised image so that they were ruled over them like animals. ובמורא גדול “With great awe” is a reference to pestilence and boils. Dever (pestilence) is alluded to by, mora, awe, because it caused agitation, trembling, fear of death and awe in the minds and souls from head to toe,1, See Genesis Rabbah S. 32 “But for the water coming up to his ankles, he would not have gone into the ark.” . Ketubot 111b. “I waded up to my ankles in honey that had dropped from dates.” Everything was affected by pestilence. The word “great” alludes to boils. This was a great miracle for Moses who threw a handful of dust into the air and it spread out all over the land of Egypt, as Rashi explains. The Torah continues, “The magicians were unable…” For these reasons *“*great” hints at this plague. ובאותות “With signs,” alludes to hail and locusts which were signs for the world. Because of the prayer that Moses offered, the hail did not reach the earth but remained in the air. And the locusts were also removed from Egypt through Moses’ prayer. There were never locusts like these again in all of Egypt. The author of Minchah Belulah2 based upon Midrashim. (geni.com) Parashat Bo, writes that locusts did not enter the vicinity of Egypt or Israel or the Islands adjacent to Egypt. When they do come in the direction of Egypt they turn aside. Hail and locust then are “Great signs.” Summary: The first nine plagues are broken into triads referred to detzach, adash, ba’achav. The final plague in each of the three triads have a unique relationship to one another. Chida explores the significance of Rabbi Yehudah’s triads but also explains the connection between the third, sixth and ninth plagues, lice, boils and darkness. These three plagues were meant to teach the Egyptians the seriousness of their sins. At the same time these three plages also contained a hidden message for the Israelite people.