Exodus 10:19

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} turned {H2015} a mighty {H3966} strong {H2389} west {H3220} wind {H7307}, which took away {H5375} the locusts {H697}, and cast {H8628} them into the Red {H5488} sea {H3220}; there remained {H7604} not one {H259} locust {H697} in all the coasts {H1366} of Egypt {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI reversed the wind and made it blow very strongly from the west. It took up the locusts and drove them into the Sea of Suf; not one locust remained on Egyptian soil.

Berean Standard Bible

And the LORD changed the wind to a very strong west wind that carried off the locusts and blew them into the Red Sea. Not a single locust remained anywhere in Egypt.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah turned an exceeding strong west wind, which took up the locusts, and drove them into the Red Sea; there remained not one locust in all the border of Egypt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 10:19 powerfully concludes the eighth plague, detailing the Lord's immediate and comprehensive removal of the devastating locust swarm from Egypt. Through a divinely directed and exceptionally strong west wind, God swept every single locust into the Red Sea, leaving the land entirely purged of the pestilence. This act serves as a profound demonstration of God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His thoroughness in both judgment and deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic resolution to the plague of locusts, which is meticulously described in [Exodus 10:1-19](/exodus/10 "The Plague of Locusts"). Immediately prior to this, Pharaoh, overwhelmed by the unprecedented devastation and urged by his desperate officials, finally called for Moses and Aaron, confessing his sin against the Lord and pleading for the removal of the locusts ([Exodus 10:16-18](/exodus/10-16-18 "Pharaoh's Plea for Forgiveness")). Exodus 10:19 then narrates God's swift and total response to this plea, showcasing His immediate power to reverse the judgment. The narrative flow swiftly moves from this divine intervention to Pharaoh's predictable and stubborn hardening of heart once the pressure was relieved ([Exodus 10:20](/exodus/10-20 "Pharaoh's Heart Hardens Again")), setting the stage for the ninth plague of darkness. The pattern of divine judgment, Pharaoh's temporary submission, God's deliverance, and Pharaoh's subsequent hardening is a recurring literary motif throughout the plague narratives, emphasizing the escalating conflict between Yahweh and Pharaoh.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, agricultural societies like Egypt were highly vulnerable to natural disasters, especially locust plagues, which could decimate crops and lead to widespread famine. However, the plagues described in [Exodus 7-12](/exodus/7 "The Plagues of Egypt") were not mere natural occurrences but divinely orchestrated judgments, each specifically targeting aspects of Egyptian life and their pantheon of gods. The "west wind" mentioned in this verse is geographically logical, as a strong wind from the Mediterranean Sea (west of Egypt) would indeed blow locusts eastward towards the Red Sea. Yet, the extraordinary "mighty strong" nature of this wind, its precise timing, and its absolute effectiveness in removing *every* locust, underscore its supernatural origin. This event served as a direct challenge to Egyptian deities associated with agriculture, fertility, and the elements, such as Ra (sun god) or Seth (god of storms and chaos), demonstrating Yahweh's unparalleled supremacy over all creation and all other gods.

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 10:19 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus. Primarily, it reinforces the theme of **Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over creation**. God demonstrates His power not only to initiate judgments through natural phenomena but also to precisely control and reverse them. This highlights His complete authority over the natural world, a power far exceeding that attributed to any Egyptian deity or even Pharaoh himself. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **God's thoroughness and completeness in deliverance**. When God acts to save or remove an obstacle, He does so entirely, leaving no remnant of the destructive force. This foreshadows His complete and effective salvation from sin and bondage, a theme that culminates in the ultimate deliverance at the [Red Sea crossing](/exodus/14 "The Parting of the Red Sea"). Lastly, the verse, within the broader narrative of the plagues, contributes to the theme of **God's faithfulness to His covenant people, Israel**, by actively intervening on their behalf against their oppressors, even amidst Pharaoh's persistent rebellion, thereby revealing His glory and power to both Egyptians and Israelites, as seen in [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "God's Purpose in Raising up Pharaoh").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 10:19 succinctly narrates the divine reversal of the locust plague, highlighting God's power and precision in His actions.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **turned (Hebrew, _hâphak'_):** This verb (H2015) signifies a primitive root meaning "to turn about or over," implying a change or overturn. Here, it emphasizes God's active and deliberate agency in reversing the direction of the wind. It's not a mere shift in weather patterns but a divinely commanded reorientation, demonstrating God's direct control over natural forces. The Lord is the one who initiates and directs this powerful change.
* **wind (Hebrew, _rûwach'_):** The word (H7307) refers to "wind," but also carries broader connotations of "breath" or "spirit." In this context, while literally denoting a powerful atmospheric current, its connection to "spirit" subtly hints at the divine, unseen power behind the natural phenomenon. This was no ordinary breeze but a supernaturally empowered and directed force, a tangible manifestation of God's unseen presence and power.
* **one (Hebrew, _ʼechâd'_):** This numeral (H259) means "united" or "one." In the phrase "not one locust," it underscores the absolute completeness and totality of the removal. It's not just that most locusts were gone, but that not a single one remained, emphasizing the perfection and efficacy of God's intervention. This highlights the thoroughness of God's work when He chooses to deliver.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, as the sole actor and orchestrator of this event. The description "mighty strong" (Hebrew: *chazaq me'od*) emphasizes the extraordinary power and intensity of the wind, far beyond typical meteorological phenomena, underscoring its divine origin and purpose. The "west wind" is geographically precise, indicating God's specific direction for the locusts' removal.
* **"which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea;"**: The wind is God's instrument, actively "taking away" (lifting and carrying) the immense swarm and "casting them" (forcefully throwing them) into the designated body of water. This demonstrates God's precise control over the plague's movement and its ultimate, irreversible disposal. The Red Sea (Hebrew: *Yam Suph*, "Sea of Reeds") is not just a convenient geographical location but a place of complete destruction and, later, profound deliverance.
* **"there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt."**: This concluding statement powerfully affirms the absolute success and completeness of God's intervention. The phrase "not one locust" is a powerful hyperbole, emphasizing that the land was entirely purged, leaving no lingering threat or sign of the devastation. It is a testament to God's thorough, effective, and perfect deliverance from the scourge.

#### Literary Devices
The verse prominently employs **Divine Agency**, with "the LORD" explicitly stated as the active subject who "turned," "took away," and "cast." This emphasizes God's direct, personal, and decisive involvement in the events, rather than attributing them to natural forces alone. The phrase "not one locust" functions as **Hyperbole** or **Emphatic Exaggeration**, a common biblical literary technique used to stress the absolute completeness and thoroughness of God's work, rather than implying a literal count of zero. This exaggeration magnifies the power and efficacy of God's deliverance, leaving no doubt about the totality of the plague's removal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 10:19 profoundly reveals God's character and power. It affirms His **absolute sovereignty over creation**, demonstrating that He not only initiates judgments through natural phenomena but also commands and redirects them with precise timing and immense power to bring relief. This showcases His unparalleled authority over all forces, visible and invisible, challenging any notion of other deities or human rulers holding ultimate control. Furthermore, it highlights God's **completeness in deliverance**. When God acts to save or remove an obstacle, He does so thoroughly, leaving no remnant of the destructive force. This foreshadows His perfect and comprehensive salvation from sin and its consequences. Finally, the verse underscores God's **unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people**, acting decisively against their oppressors, even when Pharaoh's repentance is fleeting, thereby ensuring His promises are fulfilled.

This theme of divine control over nature and complete deliverance resonates throughout the biblical narrative:
* [Psalm 107:29](/psalm/107-29 "God calms the storm")
* [Isaiah 43:16](/isaiah/43-16 "God makes a way in the sea")
* [Romans 9:17](/romans/9-17 "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 10:19 offers both profound encouragement and a sobering warning for contemporary believers. It reminds us that no "plague" or overwhelming challenge in our lives—be it a destructive habit, a crushing financial burden, a debilitating illness, or a spiritual struggle—is too great for God to remove. Just as He completely cleared the locusts from Egypt, He is capable of bringing thorough deliverance and restoration to situations that seem utterly hopeless. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's sovereign power and His perfect timing, knowing that His interventions are not partial but complete and effective. It also serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating that even clear, undeniable demonstrations of God's power and mercy do not guarantee lasting change in a hardened heart unless there is genuine, sustained repentance and submission to His will. We are invited to examine our own hearts: do we truly repent and turn to God, or do we, like Pharaoh, return to our stubborn ways once the immediate pressure is relieved?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "plagues" or overwhelming challenges are you currently facing where you need to trust in God's complete and thorough deliverance?**
* **How does God's precise control over the "mighty strong west wind" in this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of His sovereignty over seemingly natural events in your own life?**
* **In what ways might you, like Pharaoh, be tempted to harden your heart even after experiencing God's clear intervention and mercy?**

### FAQ

**Was the removal of the locusts a natural event or a miracle?**

Answer: While a strong west wind is a natural phenomenon, its precise timing, its "mighty strong" nature, and the absolute completeness of the locusts' removal, leaving "not one locust," strongly indicate a divinely orchestrated miracle. God used a natural means, but He supernaturally empowered and directed it to achieve His specific purpose, demonstrating His absolute control over creation and His ability to manipulate natural forces for His will.

**Why did God choose to cast the locusts into the "Red Sea" specifically?**

Answer: Geographically, a west wind would naturally blow locusts from the fertile Nile Delta region towards the east, making the Red Sea (or Sea of Reeds, *Yam Suph*) a logical destination for their complete removal from Egypt. Theologically, casting them into the sea signifies their total and irreversible destruction, a place of no return. It also serves as a powerful foreshadowing of God's later, even greater act of judgment and deliverance at this very body of water when He would destroy Pharaoh's army and save Israel, marking the Red Sea as a place of both judgment and salvation.

**Does "there remained not one locust" mean literally zero?**

Answer: This phrase is most likely an emphatic hyperbole, a common literary device in biblical narrative used to stress the completeness and thoroughness of an action. While there might have been a stray locust here or there, the intent is to convey that the plague was decisively and effectively ended, with no significant remnant remaining to continue the devastation or pose a threat. It highlights the perfection and efficacy of God's intervention, leaving no doubt about the totality of the plague's removal.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 10:19, while an Old Testament narrative of divine judgment and deliverance, profoundly points forward to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God demonstrated His absolute authority over creation by commanding the winds and the sea to remove the devastating locusts, Jesus, as God incarnate, displayed this very same divine authority by calming a furious storm with a mere word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Jesus Calms the Storm")) and walking on the turbulent waters ([Matthew 14:25](/matthew/14-25 "Jesus Walks on Water")). These acts reveal Him to be the Lord who commands nature, not merely a prophet, but the very Creator.

Furthermore, the complete removal of the locusts—the "plague" devastating Egypt—foreshadows Christ's ultimate work in removing the "plague" of sin and its destructive power from humanity. Through His sinless life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, Jesus completely disarmed the powers of sin, death, and the devil, leaving "not one" remnant of their dominion for those who trust in Him ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ Disarmed the Powers")). The Red Sea, where the locusts were cast, can be seen as a powerful type of baptism and a place of ultimate deliverance from bondage. In the New Testament, Christian baptism is associated with being united with Christ in His death and resurrection, signifying a complete break from the old life of sin and slavery ([Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Buried with Christ in Baptism")). Thus, Jesus is the ultimate deliverer who completely removes the spiritual plagues that afflict humanity, offering thorough, lasting, and eternal salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joel 2:20

But I will remove far off from you the northern [army], and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.

Exodus 15:4

Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

Exodus 13:18

But God led the people about, [through] the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

Hebrews 11:29

By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry [land]: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.