Exodus 8:11

KJV

And the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; they shall remain in the river only.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the frogs {H6854} shall depart {H5493} from thee, and from thy houses {H1004}, and from thy servants {H5650}, and from thy people {H5971}; they shall remain {H7604} in the river {H2975} only.

Complete Jewish Bible

The frogs will leave you and your homes, also your servants and your people; they will stay in the river only."

Berean Standard Bible

The frogs will depart from you and your houses and your officials and your people; they will remain only in the Nile.”

American Standard Version

And the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; they shall remain in the river only.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 8:11 precisely details God's complete and immediate removal of the plague of frogs from Egypt, confining them solely to the Nile River. This act powerfully demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His meticulous control, performed in response to Moses's intercession and designed to further reveal His power to Pharaoh and the Egyptians.

### CONTEXT
The plague of frogs, the second of the ten divine judgments, served to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from their bondage. Following the transformation of the Nile into blood ([Exodus 7:20](/exodus/7-20 "The First Plague: Water to Blood")), frogs emerged in overwhelming numbers, infesting every aspect of Egyptian life, from homes to ovens ([Exodus 8:3-4](/exodus/8-3 "The Extent of the Frog Plague")). Overwhelmed by the distress, Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron, requesting their prayer for the plague's removal. Moses, to unequivocally prove God's singular power, even allowed Pharaoh to choose the exact time for their departure, leaving no doubt that the relief was a direct divine intervention.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 8:11 describes the immediate and precise fulfillment of God's promise to remove the frogs, a testament to His unparalleled authority.

* **Divine Command and Precision:** The phrase "the frogs shall depart from thee" signifies a direct divine command, not a natural dissipation. God's power is demonstrated not only in bringing the plague but in its exact withdrawal. The command specifies removal "from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people," highlighting the comprehensive nature of the infestation and the equally comprehensive nature of God's removal. This meticulous detail underscores that the plagues were not random events but controlled acts of judgment.
* **Linguistic Insight: _Sur_ (סוּר) and _Ye'or_ (יְאֹר):** The Hebrew verb *sur* (סוּר), meaning "to turn aside, remove, or desist," emphasizes a deliberate and complete withdrawal. It is not a passive dying off but an active, divinely orchestrated departure. The confinement "in the river only" uses the word *ye'or* (יְאֹר), specifically referring to the Nile. This is significant because the Nile was the lifeblood of Egypt and a focal point of their idolatry, often associated with deities like Hapi or Khnum. Confining the frogs back to the Nile, their source, demonstrated God's dominion over what the Egyptians revered and highlighted the impotence of their gods.
* **Purposeful Confinement:** The directive "they shall remain in the river only" is crucial. It ensures that the evidence of the plague, and God's power over it, was still present but no longer a torment. This allowed for the collection of the dead frogs (mentioned in [Exodus 8:14](/exodus/8-14 "The Piles of Dead Frogs")), preventing immediate forgetfulness of God's intervention, yet providing the promised relief.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **God's Sovereignty Over Creation:** This verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over the natural world, demonstrating His ability to both unleash and restrain creation with exact precision.
* **Divine Response to Intercession:** Despite Pharaoh's unyielding heart, God honored Moses's prayer, showcasing His faithfulness to His servant and His willingness to alleviate suffering even for those who oppose Him, thereby removing any excuse for Pharaoh's subsequent stubbornness.
* **Judgment and Mercy Intertwined:** The plague itself was judgment, but its precise removal was an act of mercy, offering Pharaoh a clear opportunity to repent and acknowledge God's power.
* **The Impotence of Idolatry:** By bringing the frogs from the Nile and confining them back to it, God directly challenged the Egyptian deities associated with the river and fertility, proving their powerlessness against the one true God.
* **Foreknowledge and Control:** God's ability to remove the plague at a time chosen by Pharaoh himself (as noted in the preceding verses) highlights His perfect foreknowledge and meticulous control over all events.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 8:11 serves as a profound reminder of God's omnipotence and His meticulous involvement in the affairs of humanity. For believers today, this passage reinforces the truth that God is capable of addressing and removing any "plague" or overwhelming challenge in our lives, often with precision and in direct response to prayer. It encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in His timing and His methods, even when our circumstances seem dire or insurmountable. Just as God unequivocally demonstrated His authority over the physical world to Pharaoh, He continues to exercise His sovereignty over our spiritual, emotional, and personal struggles, assuring us that no problem is too great for Him to control or ultimately resolve.

### FAQ
**What does "they shall remain in the river only" signify?**

Answer: This phrase signifies God's precise and controlled removal of the plague, not merely its cessation. It means the frogs were confined exclusively to the Nile River, their original habitat, after their departure from all populated areas. This served several purposes: it provided immediate relief to the Egyptians, prevented the complete eradication of frogs (maintaining ecological balance), and left a visible, yet contained, reminder of God's power and the plague's origin, preventing Pharaoh from claiming the relief was a natural occurrence.

**Why did God allow Pharaoh to choose the time for the frogs' removal?**

Answer: Moses allowed Pharaoh to choose the time for the frogs' removal (as seen in [Exodus 8:9-10](/exodus/8-9 "Moses Challenges Pharaoh to Choose the Time")) specifically so that Pharaoh would have no excuse to deny the divine intervention. By setting the exact hour, Pharaoh himself became a witness to the supernatural precision and immediate fulfillment of God's word, proving that the plague's removal was not a coincidence or a natural event, but a direct act of the Lord. This was intended to leave Pharaoh without doubt concerning the unique power of the God of Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 8:11, showcasing God's absolute authority over creation and His power to remove a pervasive "plague," finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as God confined the frogs to the Nile, Christ demonstrates supreme dominion over all chaotic forces, whether natural elements (calming the storm in [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Jesus Calms the Storm")) or spiritual "plagues" like sin, sickness, and death. He is the one who delivers humanity from the overwhelming infestation of sin, not merely by mitigating its effects, but by decisively removing its power and confining its dominion through His atoning work and resurrection. Christ's authority ensures that while sin's presence may persist in the world, its ultimate power over believers is broken, and its final removal is guaranteed.

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.