Why does it discuss killing their vine?
Radak #1: This is a metaphor. The same applies to "v'Chol ha'Chelkah ha'Tovah Tach'ivu ba'Avanim" (Melachim II, 3:19).
Radak #2: Death applies to vegetation, for it has a vegetative Nefesh. It says "uve'Afar Yamus Giz'o" (Iyov 14:8].
What are "Shikmosam?
Radak: They are a kind of wild fig.
Why does it specify their vines and fig-trees? The hail struck all trees?
Radak: These are most of their trees in Egypt.
Radak citing Shocher Tov: Since the vines are thin, the hail came down on them like axes [and broke them immediately]. For Shekamim, it came, rested on them and [after some time] cut them.
What is "Chanamal"?
Rashi: It is a kind of locust. A Midrash expounds Ba Chan u'Mal - it [came, camped], crushed the Yerek, trees and grass, and ate it.
Radak: It is a kind of hail.
Radak citing Rav Sadya Gaon: It is strong frost that breaks flowers of trees and dries the moisture.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes that Chanamal is a kind of locust. Why was it taught in the same verse as hail?
Malbim: The locusts ate all that the hail left. The hail did not destroy everything - "veha'Chitah veha'Kusemes Lo Nuku" (Shemos 9:32). If so, there was no need for the hail. The locusts could have eaten everything! Verse 46 points this out - the locusts will eat their crops and grain. Even so, He struck their vines with hail.
