Exodus 10:12

Translation
King James Version
¶ 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.
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KJV (with Strong's)
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.
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Complete Jewish Bible
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."
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Berean Standard Bible
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.”
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American Standard Version
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.
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World English Bible Messianic
The LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up on the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail has left.”
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Geneva Bible (1599)
After, the Lord said vnto Moses, Stretch out thine hande vpon the lande of Egypt for the grashoppers, that they may come vpon the lande of Egypt, and eate all the herbes of the land, euen all that the haile hath left.
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Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah saith unto Moses, `Stretch out thy hand against the land of Egypt for the locust, and it goeth up against the land of Egypt, and doth eat every herb of the land--all that the hail hath left.'
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See also
Exodus 7:19Exodus 10:4Exodus 10:5
See on the biblical-era map
The Kingdom of Egypt in the Time of Moses
The Kingdom of Egypt in the Time of Moses View full PDF
Genesis 41:1-36, Exodus 10:1-20, Exodus 25:23-29
Genesis 41:1-36, Exodus 10:1-20, Exodus 25:23-29 View full PDF

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SUMMARY

Exodus 10:12 records God's direct command to Moses to initiate the eighth plague upon Egypt: a devastating swarm of locusts. This plague was specifically designed to consume every remaining plant and herb in the land, including all vegetation that had survived the preceding hail plague. This divine act serves as a profound demonstration of God's absolute sovereignty over creation and an escalating, comprehensive judgment against Pharaoh's persistent defiance, aiming to utterly break his will and secure the long-awaited release of the Israelites.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse is strategically placed within the escalating narrative of the Ten Plagues, serving as the divine instruction for the eighth plague. It immediately follows the severe hail plague, which had already devastated much of Egypt's crops and livestock. Prior to this command, Moses and Aaron had delivered a dire warning to Pharaoh regarding the unprecedented scale and destructive power of the impending locust plague, as detailed in Exodus 10:1-6. Witnessing the profound ruin and fearing utter destruction, Pharaoh's own officials had urged him to release the Israelites in Exodus 10:7. However, Pharaoh, still clinging to his pride, offered only a partial concession—allowing only the men to go—which Moses unequivocally rejected in Exodus 10:8-11. Thus, Exodus 10:12 marks the moment of divine resolve, initiating the next, more comprehensive judgment. Immediately after this command, Moses obeys, and an east wind brings the vast swarms of locusts, fulfilling the prophecy of total agricultural devastation, as recounted in Exodus 10:13-15.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: Ancient Egypt was an agrarian civilization, its prosperity and very survival inextricably linked to the annual inundation of the Nile River, which fertilized its fertile lands and supported its abundant crops. Agriculture formed the bedrock of their economy and sustenance, making any threat to it a direct assault on the nation's lifeblood. While locust swarms were a known, albeit terrifying, natural disaster in the ancient Near East, capable of causing widespread famine, the plague described in Exodus transcends any natural occurrence. It is portrayed as a divinely orchestrated event, unprecedented in its intensity, scale, and destructive completeness. This plague directly challenged not only Egypt's agricultural foundation but also the authority of Pharaoh, who was revered as a divine king, and the efficacy of their numerous fertility deities, such as Min (god of fertility and harvest) or Renenutet (goddess of nourishment and harvest). The complete destruction of all vegetation would have been an unimaginable catastrophe, unequivocally signaling the futility of resistance against Yahweh, the God of Israel, and His supreme power over the land and its resources.
  • Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several major theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout the book of Exodus. Firstly, it underscores the theme of God's absolute sovereignty and power over all creation, demonstrating His ability to command natural forces as instruments of His will. This directly challenges the perceived power of Pharaoh and the Egyptian pantheon. Secondly, the plague highlights the theme of divine judgment against persistent rebellion and hardened hearts. Pharaoh's repeated refusal to obey God's command leads to escalating and increasingly severe consequences, illustrating that God's patience, while vast, is not without limits. The thoroughness of this plague, consuming "all that the hail hath left," emphasizes the comprehensive nature of divine judgment when warnings are ignored. Thirdly, it advances the theme of God's faithfulness to His covenant people and His purpose of liberation. By utterly devastating Egypt, God not only punishes Pharaoh but also demonstrates His unmatched power to both the Egyptians and the Israelites, solidifying His identity as the one true God who actively delivers His chosen people from oppression, preparing them for their journey to the Promised Land.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Exodus 10:12 presents a concise yet potent divine command that initiates the eighth plague, emphasizing God's direct agency and the comprehensive nature of the impending devastation.

Key Word Analysis

  • Locusts (Hebrew, אַרְבֶּה - 'arbeh', H697): This Hebrew term (H697) refers to a specific type of locust, known for forming immense, destructive swarms. The word itself often evokes the image of a vast, overwhelming multitude, emphasizing the sheer scale and destructive power of the impending plague, far beyond a typical infestation. It signifies a force of nature under divine command, an instrument of God's judgment.
  • Eat (Hebrew, אָכַל - 'akhal', H398): The verb "eat" (H398) here implies not just consumption, but a thorough, complete devouring. It conveys the idea of stripping the land bare, leaving nothing behind. This is not merely a nuisance but an act of total agricultural annihilation, signifying a fundamental assault on Egypt's ability to sustain itself and a direct blow to its economic and social fabric.
  • Left (Hebrew, שָׁאַר - shâʼar', H7604): This word (H7604), meaning "to be redundant, to leave, remain, remnant," is crucial in the phrase "all that the hail hath left." It highlights the cumulative and comprehensive nature of God's judgment. The locusts are not just a new affliction but are specifically sent to complete the destruction initiated by the previous plague. This detail underscores God's meticulous and thorough judgment, ensuring no agricultural recovery is possible, leaving Egypt utterly destitute and without hope for immediate sustenance.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And the LORD said unto Moses,": This opening phrase immediately establishes divine initiative and authority. The plague is not a random natural occurrence but a direct, intentional command from Yahweh (H3068), demonstrating His ultimate control over all creation and His direct involvement in human history. Moses (H4872) is merely His chosen instrument.
  • "Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts,": Moses (H4872) acts as God's obedient instrument. The act of "stretching out" (H5186, nâṭâh) the hand (H3027, yâd) is a recurring motif throughout the plague narratives, symbolizing the divine power channeled through Moses to bring about supernatural events. This emphasizes that the plague is a miraculous act, not a coincidence, and that God is actively working through His servant. The command is directed over the "land of Egypt" (H776, H4714), indicating the national scope of the judgment.
  • "that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land,": This describes the purpose and extensive scope of the plague. The locusts (H697, 'arbeh) are commanded to "come up" (H5927, 'âlâh – ascend, implying a vast, overwhelming invasion from the east) and "eat" (H398, 'âkal) "every herb" (H6212, 'eseb) of the land (H776, 'erets). This signifies a complete and widespread devastation of all plant life across the entire nation, leaving no part untouched.
  • "[even] all that the hail hath left.": This final clause emphasizes the thoroughness, finality, and cumulative nature of the judgment. It signifies that the locusts are sent to finish what the hail (H1259, bârâd) started, consuming "all that the hail hath left" (H7604, shâʼar). This highlights the escalating and relentless nature of God's judgment in response to Pharaoh's unyielding rebellion, ensuring absolute agricultural ruin and leaving no hope for immediate recovery or sustenance.

Literary Devices

The verse employs direct command ("Stretch out thine hand") to convey God's absolute authority and immediate agency in bringing about the plague. The phrase "eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left" utilizes hyperbole to vividly emphasize the totality and unprecedented nature of the destruction, though in this context, it is a divinely guaranteed outcome rather than mere exaggeration. The narrative structure of the plagues, with each one building on the previous one's effects (the locusts consuming what the hail spared), is a powerful literary and theological device demonstrating the progressive escalation and intensifying severity of God's judgment against Pharaoh's hardened heart and Egypt's oppression of Israel.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Exodus 10:12 powerfully illustrates several core theological truths. Primarily, it underscores God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His use of natural forces as precise instruments of divine judgment. This is not a random act of nature but a targeted, purposeful display of Yahweh's power over all things, including the very elements and agricultural systems that sustained Egypt. It demonstrates that no human ruler, no matter how powerful or deified, can withstand the will of the Almighty, and that all creation is subservient to His command. Secondly, the verse highlights God's unwavering justice against persistent rebellion. Pharaoh's repeated refusal to obey God's clear command to "Let my people go" leads to escalating and increasingly severe consequences. The thoroughness of this plague, consuming "all that the hail hath left," signifies the comprehensive and unavoidable nature of divine judgment when warnings are ignored and hearts remain hardened. This theme resonates throughout the biblical narrative, where disobedience brings consequences, and God's patience, while vast, is not endless, ultimately leading to a just recompense. Finally, this plague serves God's overarching purpose of delivering His people and displaying His glory. By utterly devastating Egypt, God not only punishes Pharaoh but also demonstrates His unmatched power to both the Egyptians and the Israelites, solidifying His identity as the one true God who delivers His covenant people from oppression and establishes His renown throughout the earth. The plagues were not merely punitive but redemptive, designed to reveal God's character and secure His people's freedom.

  • This plague is explicitly recounted in Psalm 105:34-35, affirming God's direct control over the natural world for His redemptive purposes: "He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number, And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground."
  • The devastating impact of locusts as a sign of divine judgment and a call to repentance is also seen in prophetic books like Joel 1:4, where multiple stages of locusts devour everything, serving as a stark warning of impending judgment and a summons to national lament and repentance.
  • The broader theological purpose of the plagues, including this one, is articulated in Romans 9:17, where Paul quotes Exodus 9:16, emphasizing God's sovereign hand in raising up Pharaoh precisely "that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth."

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Exodus 10:12 serves as a powerful reminder that God is actively involved in human history and holds ultimate authority over all creation. For us today, it underscores the serious consequences of persistent disobedience and hardened hearts. Just as Pharaoh faced escalating judgment for his defiance, we are called to heed God's warnings and respond with humility, repentance, and obedience. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty, recognizing that even seemingly destructive events can be orchestrated by Him for His righteous and redemptive purposes. It challenges us to consider where we might be resisting God's will in our own lives, reminding us that true freedom, flourishing, and peace come not from stubborn defiance, but from aligning ourselves with His divine plan and submitting to His loving authority. The thoroughness of God's judgment also prompts us to consider the seriousness of sin and the unwavering nature of His justice.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does Pharaoh's escalating defiance challenge or affirm your understanding of God's justice and patience in the face of human rebellion?
  • In what areas of your life might you be resisting God's clear commands, and what might be the potential spiritual or practical consequences of such resistance?
  • The thoroughness of this judgment (eating "all that the hail hath left") highlights God's commitment to His purposes. How does this inform your view of God's unwavering resolve and His ultimate victory over all opposition?

FAQ

Why did God use such a destructive plague like locusts?

Answer: God used the locust plague as an act of escalating judgment to break Pharaoh's stubborn will and demonstrate His absolute power over all of Egypt's gods and resources. The goal was not merely destruction, but to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites and to show both Egyptians and Israelites that Yahweh alone is the true God. The thoroughness of the plague (destroying what the hail left) emphasized that God's judgment was comprehensive and left no room for recovery, leaving Pharaoh with no option but to submit to the divine will.

Was this plague "fair" to the ordinary Egyptians who suffered?

Answer: The biblical narrative often portrays national judgments where the consequences of a leader's sin affect the entire nation. While Pharaoh was the primary target of God's judgment, the plagues served multiple purposes: to demonstrate God's power, to secure Israel's release, and to offer a chance for repentance to all. The Egyptians had witnessed multiple plagues and had the opportunity to acknowledge Yahweh's power and the futility of their gods. Ultimately, God's justice is perfect, and His ways are higher than ours. The suffering of the Egyptians was a direct consequence of their nation's prolonged oppression of Israel and Pharaoh's unyielding defiance, which affected everyone under his rule.

How could Pharaoh keep hardening his heart despite such overwhelming evidence?

Answer: The Bible presents a complex interplay between God hardening Pharaoh's heart and Pharaoh hardening his own heart. In Exodus 10:1, God states He will harden Pharaoh's heart to multiply His signs. This doesn't mean God forced Pharaoh against his will, but rather that God used Pharaoh's existing stubborn disposition and allowed him to persist in his rebellion, thereby providing more opportunities to display His power and glory. Pharaoh's immense pride, self-exaltation, and deep-seated idolatry prevented him from acknowledging Yahweh's supremacy, leading him to continually choose defiance despite the devastating consequences he and his nation endured.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Exodus 10:12, an Old Testament account of divine judgment and liberation, finds profound fulfillment and amplification in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Firstly, the authority of God over creation displayed in commanding the locusts foreshadows Jesus's own divine authority over nature. Just as God orchestrated the plague to demonstrate His sovereign control, Jesus, as God incarnate, demonstrated His power by calming raging storms (Mark 4:39), multiplying meager food supplies to feed thousands (Matthew 14:19-21), and even walking on water (Matthew 14:25). These acts reveal Christ as the one through whom all things were created and by whom all things are sustained, echoing the sovereign power of the God who sent the plagues, confirming His divine identity. Secondly, the plagues, including the locusts, represent God's judgment against sin and spiritual oppression. Pharaoh's stubbornness and Egypt's enslavement of Israel are powerful types of humanity's universal bondage to sin and the dominion of Satan. Jesus Christ, through His perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection, delivers humanity from this ultimate spiritual bondage. He is the ultimate deliverer, freeing His people not from physical slavery in Egypt, but from the spiritual slavery of sin and death (John 8:34-36). The thoroughness of the locust plague, leaving nothing behind, can be seen as a foreshadowing of the complete and decisive victory Christ achieves over the forces of evil, ultimately crushing sin's power and ensuring the final, comprehensive judgment of all unrighteousness at the end of the age. Finally, the purpose of the plagues was to demonstrate God's glory and secure the release of His people. In the New Testament, Christ's work on the cross is the ultimate, most profound display of God's glory and sacrificial love, securing the ultimate liberation for all who believe. Through Christ, God's name is declared throughout all the earth, not through destructive plagues, but through the life-giving gospel that offers true freedom, reconciliation with God, and eternal life, fulfilling God's redemptive plan in a way far surpassing the Exodus.

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Commentary on Exodus 10 verses 12–20

Here is, I. The invasion of the land by the locusts - God's great army, Joe 2:11. God bids Moses stretch out his hand (Exo 10:12), to beckon them, as it wee (for they came at a call), and he stretched forth his rod, Exo 10:13. Compare Exo 9:22 23. Moses ascribes it to the stretching out, not of his own hand, but the rod of God, the instituted sign of God's presence with him. The locusts obey the summons, and fly upon the wings of the wind, the east wind, and caterpillars without number, as we are told, Psa 105:34, Psa 105:35. A formidable army of horse and foot might more easily have been resisted than this host of insects. Who then is able to stand before the great God?

II. The desolations they made in it (Exo 10:15): They covered the face of the earth, and ate up the fruit of it. The earth God has given to the children of men; yet, when God pleases, he can disturb their possession and send locusts and caterpillars to force them out. Herbs grow for the service of man; yet, when God pleases, those contemptible insects shall not only be fellow-commoners with him, but shall plunder him, and eat the bread out of his mouth. Let our labour be, not for the habitation and meat which thus lie exposed, but for those which endure to eternal life, which cannot be thus invaded, nor thus corrupted.

III. Pharaoh's admission, hereupon, Exo 10:16, Exo 10:17. He had driven Moses and Aaron from him (Exo 10:11), telling them (it is likely) he would have no more to do with them. But now he calls for them again in all haste, and makes court to them with as much respect as before he had dismissed them with disdain. Note, The day will come when those who set at nought their counsellors, and despise all their reproofs, will be glad to make an interest in them and engage them to intercede on their behalf. The foolish virgins court the wise to give them of their oil; and see Psa 141:6. 1. Pharaoh confesses his fault: I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you. He now sees his own folly in the slights and affronts he had put on God and his ambassadors, and seems at least, to repent of it. When God convinces men of sin, and humbles them for it, their contempt of God's ministers, and the word of the Lord in their mouths, will certainly come into the account, and lie heavily upon their consciences. Some think that when Pharaoh said, "The Lord your God," he did in effect say, "The Lord shall not be my God." Many treat with God as a potent enemy, whom they are willing not to be at war with, but care not for treating with him as their rightful prince, to whom they are willing to submit with loyal affection. True penitents lament sin as committed against God, even their own God, to whom they stand obliged. 2. He begs pardon, not of God, as penitents ought, but of Moses, which was more excusable in him, because, by a special commission, Moses was made a god to Pharaoh, and whosesoever sins he remitted they were forgiven; when he prays, Forgive this once, he, in effect, promises not to offend in like manner any more, yet seems loth to express that promise, nor does he say any thing particularly of letting the people go. Note, Counterfeit repentance commonly cheats men with general promises and is loth to covenant against particular sins. 3. He entreats Moses and Aaron to pray for him. There are those who, in distress, implore the help of other persons' prayers, but have no mind to pray for themselves, showing thereby that they have no true love to God, nor any delight in communion with him. Pharaoh desires their prayers that this death only might be taken away, not this sin: he deprecates the plague of locusts, not the plague of a hard heart, which yet was much the more dangerous.

IV. The removal of the judgment, upon the prayer of Moses, Exo 10:18, Exo 10:19. This was, 1. As great an instance of the power of God as the judgment itself. An east wind brought the locusts, and now a west wind carried them off. Note, Whatever point of the compass the wind is in, it is fulfilling God's word, and turns about by his counsel. The wind bloweth where it listeth, as it respects any control of ours; not so as it respects the control of God: he directeth it under the whole heaven. 2. It was as great a proof of the authority of Moses, and as firm a ratification of his commission and his interest in that God who both makes peace and creates evil, Isa 45:7. Nay, hereby he not only commanded the respect, but recommended himself to the good affections of the Egyptians, inasmuch as, while the judgment came in obedience to his summons, the removal of it was in answer to his prayers. He never desired the woeful day, though he threatened it. His commission indeed ran against Egypt, but his intercession was for it, which was a good reason why they should love him, though they feared him. 3. It was also as strong an argument for their repentance as the judgment itself; for by this it appeared that God is ready to forgive, and swift to show mercy. If he turn away a particular judgment, as he did often from Pharaoh, or defer it, as in Ahab's case, upon the profession of repentance and the outward tokens of humiliation, what will he do if we be sincere, and how welcome will true penitents be to him! O that this goodness of God might lead us to repentance!

V. Pharaoh's return to his impious resolution again not to let the people go (Exo 10:20), through the righteous hand of God upon him, hardening his heart, and confirming him in his obstinacy. Note, Those that have often baffled their convictions, and stood it out against them, forfeit the benefit of them, and are justly given up to those lusts of their own hearts which (how strong soever their convictions) prove too strong for them.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–20. Public domain.
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Ambrose of MilanAD 397
The Six Days of Creation 5.23.82
Even the locust, by divine grace, penetrates everywhere, and when it has filled the width of each region with its dense swarm, it first strikes without harm, and feeds on the barren land only after receiving the divine signal of permission. Indeed, just as we read in Exodus, it also acts as the celestial executor of righteous vengeance.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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