TRV
Translation
King James Version
And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.
Complete Jewish Bible
The locusts went up over all the land of Egypt and settled throughout Egypt's territory. It was an invasion more severe than there had ever been before or will ever be again.
Berean Standard Bible
The locusts swarmed across the land and settled over the entire territory of Egypt. Never before had there been so many locusts, and never again will there be.
American Standard Version
And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the borders of Egypt; very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.
World English Bible Messianic
The locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the borders of Egypt. They were very grievous. Before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.
Geneva Bible (1599)
So the grashoppers went vp vpon all the land of Egypt, and remained in all quarters of Egypt: so grieuous Grashoppers, like to these were neuer before, neither after them shalbe such.
Young's Literal Translation
And the locust goeth up against all the land of Egypt, and resteth in all the border of Egypt--very grievous: before it there hath not been such a locust as it, and after it there is none such;
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In the KJVVerse 1,792 of 31,102
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Commentary on Exodus 10 verses 12–20
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.
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.
14 And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.
15 For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.
16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you.
17 Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.
18 And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD.
19 And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.
20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.
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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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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SUMMARY
Exodus 10:14 serves as a stark declaration of the unparalleled severity and pervasive reach of the eighth plague, the locusts, unleashed upon Egypt. This verse emphatically states that the magnitude of this divine judgment was utterly unique, unprecedented in history, and never to be repeated, thereby underscoring God's absolute sovereignty over creation and the profound, escalating consequences of Pharaoh's unyielding rebellion against the divine will.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 10:14 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the magnitude and significance of the locust plague. Hyperbole is evident in the declaration "before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such." While locust plagues were a known phenomenon, this statement exaggerates the scale to emphasize the unique, divinely orchestrated nature of this particular event, setting it apart from any natural occurrence. This hyperbole serves to magnify God's power and the plague's unprecedented severity. Closely related is Emphasis, achieved through the strong, repetitive negation ("no such... neither after them"). This rhetorical technique ensures the reader grasps the singular, unrepeatable quality of this judgment, underscoring God's ultimate control and the finality of His decree. Furthermore, the vivid imagery of locusts "going up over all the land" and "resting in all the coasts" creates a sense of Totalization or Pervasiveness, painting a picture of complete and inescapable devastation, leaving no corner of Egypt untouched. These devices collectively contribute to the awe-inspiring and terrifying portrayal of God's judgment.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 10:14 powerfully communicates several core theological truths that resonate throughout biblical revelation. The unprecedented scale and unique nature of the locust plague unequivocally demonstrate God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, revealing His capacity not merely to create, but to command and manipulate the natural world for His redemptive and judgmental purposes. This plague, as the eighth in a series of escalating judgments, vividly illustrates the grave consequences of persistent defiance against God's will, underscoring the principle that God's patience is not infinite and continued rebellion invites increasingly severe divine retribution. Pharaoh's hardened heart brought escalating devastation upon his nation, a pattern that serves as a timeless warning. Moreover, the declaration that "there were no such locusts... neither after them shall be such" highlights God's singular power and His incomparability, asserting that He is utterly unique among all powers and deities.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 10:14 stands as a profound reminder of God's immense power and His righteous judgment against persistent rebellion. While we do not experience literal plagues in the same way today, the underlying principles remain vitally relevant for our lives. This verse challenges us to consider the "grievous" consequences that can arise from a hardened heart and persistent disobedience to God's commands. Just as Pharaoh's refusal to yield brought escalating devastation upon his nation, our own unrepentant resistance to God's truth can lead to increasingly severe spiritual, relational, or even physical repercussions. Conversely, this passage also highlights God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people and His absolute power to deliver them from oppression. Just as He acted decisively for Israel, He remains sovereign over all circumstances, capable of delivering His people and executing justice. This passage encourages us to recognize God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and to respond to His will with humility, obedience, and trust, knowing that He is both perfectly just and abundantly merciful, always acting in accordance with His character and redemptive purposes.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Was this locust plague literally unique, or is "no such locusts" a hyperbole?
Answer: While locust plagues were a known natural phenomenon in the ancient world, the biblical text emphasizes the unprecedented and unrepeatable nature of this specific plague. The language "before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such" is strong rhetorical emphasis, often understood as hyperbole used to underscore its unique divine origin and the specific judgment it represented. It was not merely a natural event of unusual magnitude, but a divinely orchestrated, supernatural act that set it apart from any typical locust infestation. This highlights God's singular power and purpose in bringing this particular judgment upon Egypt, demonstrating His absolute control over creation.
Why would God use such a destructive plague? Isn't that harsh?
Answer: The plagues were not arbitrary acts of destruction but purposeful judgments against Pharaoh's persistent rebellion and the idolatry of Egypt. Each plague targeted a specific aspect of Egyptian life or a deity, systematically demonstrating Yahweh's supremacy over the Egyptian pantheon. The escalating severity, culminating in this devastating plague, was meant to break Pharaoh's hardened heart, to show the Egyptians (and the Israelites) the power of the one true God, and to secure the release of God's enslaved people. From a biblical perspective, God's justice is always righteous, and His actions are ultimately aimed at revealing His glory and fulfilling His redemptive plan for His people, even if it involves severe judgment on those who oppose Him.
How does this ancient plague relate to natural disasters we experience today?
Answer: While we don't typically interpret modern natural disasters as direct, specific judgments in the same way the plagues on Egypt were, this passage reminds us of God's ultimate sovereignty over creation. Natural disasters, though often part of the fallen world's brokenness and the general consequences of sin, can serve as powerful reminders of human fragility, the need for repentance, and God's ultimate control. They can prompt us to seek God, trust in His providence, and live in light of His eternal kingdom, rather than relying on earthly securities. The Exodus plagues, however, are distinct in their specific, targeted, and miraculous nature as part of a unique redemptive-historical event designed to deliver Israel and reveal God's glory.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 10:14, with its depiction of overwhelming judgment and the unique, unparalleled power of God, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The plague of locusts, like all the plagues, was a tangible demonstration of God's righteous wrath against sin and rebellion, specifically against Pharaoh's unyielding refusal to release God's people from bondage. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is revealed as the ultimate deliverer who liberates humanity from a far greater bondage: the slavery to sin and death, offering true freedom to all who believe in Him, as declared in John 8:34-36 and Romans 6:22.
Furthermore, the "very grievous" and "unprecedented" nature of this plague powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and final judgment that will be poured out on all who reject God, a judgment that Christ himself uniquely bore on the cross. On the cross, Jesus experienced the full, unprecedented wrath of God against sin, becoming the "grievous" burden, suffering the ultimate consequences of humanity's rebellion, so that those who believe in Him might be spared from that wrath (Romans 5:9). He absorbed the judgment we deserved, making possible a "greater exodus" from the dominion of darkness into the glorious kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13). Thus, the terrifying judgment in Exodus 10:14 points forward to the merciful yet costly deliverance accomplished by Christ, who uniquely absorbed the judgment we deserved, securing our eternal freedom.