Exodus 10:12

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, [even] all that the hail hath left.

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, Stretch out {H5186} thine hand {H3027} over the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} for the locusts {H697}, that they may come up {H5927} upon the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, and eat {H398} every herb {H6212} of the land {H776}, even all that the hail {H1259} hath left {H7604}.

ADONAI said to Moshe, "Reach out your hand over the land of Egypt, so that locusts will invade the land and eat every plant that the hail has left."

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt, so that the locusts may swarm over it and devour every plant in the land—everything that the hail has left behind.”

And Jehovah said unto Moses, Stretch out thy hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left.

Commentary

This verse marks the divine command for the eighth plague upon Egypt: a devastating swarm of locusts. Following Pharaoh's continued refusal to release the Israelites, despite the severe consequences of the preceding plagues, God escalates His judgment. The instruction to Moses to "Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts" signifies Moses as God's instrument in bringing forth this immense natural disaster.

Context

Exodus 10:12 is situated within the escalating series of the Ten Plagues, specifically after the severe hail plague, which had already destroyed much of Egypt's crops and livestock. The verse highlights the completeness of the impending destruction: the locusts are commanded to "eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left." This shows God's intent to utterly devastate Egypt's agricultural resources, leaving nothing behind. Pharaoh's stubbornness and hardened heart directly lead to this intensified judgment, demonstrating God's unwavering resolve to free His people and display His unmatched power.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: This plague underscores God's absolute control over creation and His use of natural phenomena as instruments of judgment. It’s a clear demonstration that no human ruler, not even Pharaoh, can withstand His will.
  • Completeness of Destruction: The phrase "even all that the hail hath left" is crucial. It signifies that the locusts were not merely an additional hardship but a final, comprehensive blow to Egypt's vegetation, ensuring total agricultural ruin. This highlights the severity and thoroughness of God's judgment when His warnings are ignored.
  • Pharaoh's Defiance: Each plague, including the locusts, serves as a direct consequence of Pharaoh's persistent refusal to obey God's command to "Let my people go." It illustrates the escalating nature of divine discipline in response to hardened rebellion.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for 'locusts' is 'arbeh (אַרְבֶּה), which typically refers to a vast, swarming multitude, emphasizing the overwhelming and destructive nature of such an infestation. The verb 'eat' (אָכַל - 'akhal) implies thorough consumption, leaving nothing. The specific mention of "all that the hail hath left" (כֹּל אֲשֶׁר הִשְׁאִיר הַבָּרָד - kol asher hish'ir habarad) is a powerful detail, showing that God's judgment is precise and designed to complete the devastation initiated by previous plagues, leaving no room for recovery.

Practical Application

Exodus 10:12 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of persistent disobedience to God. It illustrates that God's patience has limits, and His warnings are always serious. For believers, it reinforces faith in God's sovereignty over all creation, even over seemingly random natural events, which He can orchestrate for His purposes. It encourages us to heed His word and understand that true freedom comes through obedience, not defiance.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 7:19

    And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and [that] there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in [vessels of] wood, and in [vessels of] stone.

  • Exodus 10:4

    Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast:

  • Exodus 10:5

    And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field:
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