Exodus 10:13

And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all [that] night; [and] when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.

And Moses {H4872} stretched forth {H5186} his rod {H4294} over the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, and the LORD {H3068} brought {H5090} an east {H6921} wind {H7307} upon the land {H776} all that day {H3117}, and all that night {H3915}; and when it was morning {H1242}, the east {H6921} wind {H7307} brought {H5375} the locusts {H697}.

Moshe reached out with his staff over the land of Egypt, and ADONAI caused an east wind to blow on the land all day and all night; and in the morning the east wind brought the locusts.

So Moses stretched out his staff over the land of Egypt, and throughout that day and night the LORD sent an east wind across the land. By morning the east wind had brought the locusts.

And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and Jehovah brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all the night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.

Commentary

Context

Exodus 10:13 marks the beginning of the eighth plague inflicted upon Egypt: the devastating plague of locusts. This verse follows a series of escalating judgments from God designed to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. Despite the previous plagues of frogs, lice, flies, livestock disease, boils, and hail, Pharaoh's stubborn heart remained unyielding. Here, God prepares to unleash another powerful demonstration of His sovereignty, specifically targeting Egypt's remaining agricultural resources that were not destroyed by the hail.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Control: The verse clearly states, "the LORD brought an east wind." This emphasizes that the natural phenomenon was not coincidental but a direct, intentional act of God. It highlights God's absolute power over creation, using the elementsโ€”wind, in this caseโ€”as instruments of His divine will and judgment. This theme is consistent throughout the plague narratives, showcasing God's omnipotence and His ability to manipulate the natural world to achieve His purposes, as seen in His creation of all things by His word.
  • Moses as God's Instrument: "Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt" signifies Moses' role as God's chosen messenger and agent. The rod, a simple shepherd's staff, became a symbol of divine authority and power in Moses' hand, acting as a conduit for God's miraculous interventions. This action parallels Moses' role in previous plagues, such as when he stretched his rod over the waters to turn them to blood.
  • The Overwhelming Nature of the Plague: The description of the east wind blowing "all that day, and all that night" underscores the intensity and duration of God's action. This sustained wind was necessary to bring in the vast swarms of locusts, indicating the overwhelming scale of the impending destruction. The locusts would consume every green thing, striking a severe blow to Egypt's economy and food supply.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "east wind" is ruach qadim (ืจื•ึผื—ึท ืงึธื“ึดื™ื). The term ruach can mean "wind," "spirit," or "breath," often implying a divine force or influence. Qadim refers to the "east," typically associated with the desert regions where locust swarms originate. This specific directional wind from the east powerfully conveys a divinely directed force bringing a specific, devastating natural phenomenon from its typical source, demonstrating God's precise control.

Practical Application

Exodus 10:13 serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate authority over all creation and circumstances. It teaches us that God is actively involved in the affairs of the world, capable of orchestrating events, whether natural or supernatural, to fulfill His purposes. For believers, this instills confidence in God's ability to deliver His people and to overcome any opposition, no matter how formidable, just as He delivered Israel from Pharaoh's grasp. It highlights that even in the face of human stubbornness, God's plan will ultimately prevail. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty and to recognize His hand at work in our lives and in the world, knowing that He is mighty to save and deliver.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • Psalms 107:25

    For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

  • Psalms 107:28

    Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

  • Jonah 4:8

    And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, [It is] better for me to die than to live.

  • Exodus 14:21

    ยถ And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go [back] by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry [land], and the waters were divided.

  • Matthew 8:27

    But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

  • Psalms 78:26

    He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.

  • Psalms 105:34

    He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,
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