TRV
Translation
King James 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.
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.
World English Bible Messianic
The frogs shall depart from you, and from your houses, and from your servants, and from your people. They shall remain in the river only.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
So the frogges shall depart from thee, and from thine houses, and from thy seruantes, and from thy people: onely they shall remaine in the riuer.
Young's Literal Translation
and the frogs have turned aside from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; only in the River they do remain.'
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Study This Verse
Commentary on Exodus 8 verses 1–15
1 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
2 And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:
3 And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs:
4 And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.
5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.
6 And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.
7 And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.
8 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.
9 And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only?
10 And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God.
11 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.
12 And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh.
13 And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields.
14 And they gathered them together upon heaps: and the land stank.
15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
Pharaoh is here first threatened and then plagued with frogs, as afterwards, in this chapter, with lice and flies, little despicable inconsiderable animals, and yet by their vast numbers rendered sore plagues to the Egyptians. God could have plagued them with lions, or bears, or wolves, or with vultures or other birds of prey; but he chose to do it by these contemptible instruments. 1. That he might magnify his own power. He is Lord of the hosts of the whole creation, has them all at his beck, and makes what use he pleases of them. Some have thought that the power of God is shown as much in the making of an ant as in the making of an elephant; so is his providence in serving his own purposes by the least creatures as effectually as by the strongest, that the excellency of the power, in judgment as well as mercy, may be of God, and not of the creature. See what reason we have to stand in awe of this God, who, when he pleases, can arm the smallest parts of the creation against us. If God be our enemy, all the creatures are at war with us. 2. That he might humble Pharaoh's pride, and chastise his insolence. What a mortification must it needs be to this haughty monarch to see himself brought to his knees, and forced to submit, by such despicable means! Every child is, ordinarily, able to deal with those invaders, and can triumph over them; yet now so numerous were their troops, and so vigorous their assaults, that Pharaoh, with all his chariots and horsemen, could make no head against them. Thus he poureth contempt upon princes that offer contempt to him and his sovereignty, and makes those who will not own him above them to know that, when he pleases, he can make the meanest creature to insult them and trample upon them. As to the plague of frogs we may observe,
I. How it was threatened. Moses, no doubt, attended the divine Majesty daily for fresh instructions, and (perhaps while the river was yet blood) he is here directed to give notice to Pharaoh of another judgment coming upon him, in case he continue obstinate: If thou refuse to let them go, it is at thy peril, Exo 8:1, Exo 8:2. Note, God does not punish men for sin unless they persist in it. If he turn not, he will whet his sword (Psa 7:12), which implies favour if he turn. So here, If thou refuse, I will smite thy borders, intimating that if Pharaoh complied the controversy should immediately be dropped. The plague threatened, in case of refusal, was formidably extensive. Frogs were to make such an inroad upon them as should make them uneasy in their houses, in their beds, and at their tables; they should not be able to eat, nor drink, nor sleep in quietness, but, wherever they were, should be infested by them, Exo 8:3, Exo 8:4. Note, 1. God's curse upon a man will pursue him wherever he goes, and lie heavily upon him whatever he does. See Deu 28:16, etc. 2. There is no avoiding divine judgments when they invade with commission.
II. How it was inflicted. Pharaoh not regarding the alarm, nor being at all inclined to yield to the summons, Aaron is ordered to draw out the forces, and with his outstretched arm and rod to give the signal of battle. Dictum factum - No sooner said then done; the host is mustered, and, under the direction and command of an invisible power, shoals of frogs invade the land, and the Egyptians, with all their art and all their might, cannot check their progress, nor so much as give them a diversion. Compare this with that prophecy of an army of locusts and caterpillars, Joe 2:2, etc.; and see Isa 34:16, Isa 34:17. Frogs came up, at the divine call, and covered the land. Note, God has many ways of disquieting those that live at ease.
III. How the magicians were permitted to imitate it, Exo 8:7. They also brought up frogs, but could not remove those that God sent. The unclean spirits which came out of the mouth of the dragon are said to be like frogs, which go forth to the kings of the earth, to deceive them (Rev 16:13), which probably alludes to these frogs, for it follows the account of the turning of the waters into blood. The dragon, like the magicians, intended by them to deceive, but God intended by them to destroy those that would be deceived.
IV. How Pharaoh relented under this plague: it was the first time he did so, Exo 8:8. He begs of Moses to intercede for the removal of the frogs, and promises fair that he will let the people go. He that a little while ago had spoken with the utmost disdain both of God and Moses is now glad to be beholden to the mercy of God and the prayers of Moses. Note, Those that bid defiance to God and prayer in a day of extremity will, first or last, be made to see their need of both, and will cry, Lord, Lord, Mat 7:22. Those that have bantered prayer have been brought to beg it, as the rich man that had scorned Lazarus courted him for a drop of water.
V. How Moses fixes the time with Pharaoh, and then prevails with God by prayer for the removal of the frogs. Moses, to show that his performances had no dependence upon the conjunctions or oppositions of the planets, or the luckiness of any one hour more than another, bids Pharaoh name his time. Nellum occurrit tempus regi - No time fixed on by the king shall be objected to, Exo 8:9. Have thou this honour over me, tell me against when I shall entreat for thee. This was designed for Pharaoh's conviction, that, if his eyes were not opened by the plague, they might by the removal of it. So various are the methods God takes to bring men to repentance. Pharaoh sets the time for tomorrow, Exo 8:10. And why not immediately? Was he so fond of his guests that he would have them stay another night with him? No, but probably he hoped that they would go away of themselves, and then he should get clear of the plague without being obliged either to God or Moses. However, Moses joins issue with him upon it: "Be it according to thy word, it shall be done just when thou wouldst have it done, that thou mayest know that, whatever the magicians pretend to, there is none like unto the Lord our God. None has such a command as he has over all the creatures, nor is any one so ready to forgive those that humble themselves before him." Note, The great design both of judgments and mercies is to convince us that there is none like the Lord our God, none so wise, so mighty, so good, no enemy so formidable, no friend so desirable, so valuable. Moses, hereupon, applies to God, prays earnestly to him, to remand the frogs, Exo 8:12. Note, We must pray for our enemies and persecutors, even the worst as Christ did. In answer to the prayer of Moses, the frogs that came up one day perished the next, or the next but one. They all died (Exo 8:13), and, that it might appear that they were real frogs, their dead bodies were left to be raked together in heaps, so that the smell of them became offensive, Exo 8:14. Note, The great Sovereign of the world makes what use he pleases of the lives and deaths of his creatures; and he that gives a being, to serve one purpose, may, without wrong to his justice, call for it again immediately, to serve another purpose.
VI. What was the issue of this plague (Exo 8:15): When Pharaoh saw there was a respite, without considering either what he had lately felt or what he had reason to fear, he hardened his heart. Note, 1. Till the heart is renewed by the grace of God, the impressions made by the force of affliction do not abide; the convictions wear off, and the promises that were extorted are forgotten. Till the disposition of the air is changed, what thaws in the sun will freeze again in the shade. 2. God's patience is shamefully abused by impenitent sinners. The respite he gives them, to lead them to repentance, they are hardened by; and while he graciously allows them a truce, in order to the making of their peace, they take that opportunity to rally again the baffled forces of an obstinate infidelity. See Ecc 8:11; Psa 78:34, etc.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–15. 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 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, leaving no doubt about the divine source of both the judgment and the relief.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse concludes the narrative of the second plague, the plague of frogs, which immediately followed the transformation of the Nile into blood as described in Exodus 7:14-25. The preceding verses (Exodus 8:1-10) detail the overwhelming infestation of frogs throughout Egypt, Pharaoh's distress, and his plea to Moses and Aaron for intercession. Crucially, Moses, to underscore the divine nature of the intervention, allowed Pharaoh to choose the exact time for the plague's removal (Exodus 8:9-10). Verse 11, therefore, serves as the immediate fulfillment of God's promise through Moses, demonstrating His precise control and faithfulness, setting the stage for Pharaoh's subsequent hardening of heart despite undeniable evidence.
Historical & Cultural Context: The Nile River, known as yᵉʼôr in Hebrew, was the lifeblood of ancient Egypt, providing water for agriculture, transportation, and daily sustenance. It was also deeply intertwined with Egyptian religious beliefs, often personified as the deity Hapi, the god of the Nile's annual inundation and fertility. The plague of frogs, emerging from this sacred river, directly challenged Egyptian polytheism, particularly deities associated with fertility and creation, such as Heqet, the frog-headed goddess of childbirth and fertility. The sheer number of frogs, infesting homes, beds, ovens, and kneading bowls (Exodus 8:3-4), would have rendered daily life unbearable, demonstrating Yahweh's power over the very elements and deities the Egyptians revered. The subsequent removal of the frogs, leaving their decaying carcasses, would have further polluted the land and served as a stark, undeniable testament to God's judgment.
Key Themes: Exodus 8:11 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Exodus. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates God's sovereignty over creation, demonstrating His ability to both unleash and restrain natural phenomena with absolute precision. Secondly, it highlights the theme of divine judgment against idolatry, as the plague directly targeted aspects of Egyptian worship, showcasing the impotence of their gods before Yahweh. Thirdly, it underscores God's meticulous control and foreknowledge, evidenced by His ability to remove the plague at a time chosen by Pharaoh himself, leaving no room for doubt about the supernatural origin of the event, as seen in Exodus 8:9-10). Finally, this verse also subtly foreshadows the ongoing theme of Pharaoh's hardening heart, as even this clear demonstration of divine power does not lead to lasting repentance, setting the stage for the subsequent plagues and the ultimate deliverance of Israel.
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 and meticulous control over creation.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. The initial hyperbole of the frogs "coming up on you and on your people and on all your servants" (Exodus 8:4) vividly portrays the overwhelming nature of the plague, making the precise removal in verse 11 even more impactful. There is significant symbolism in the frogs emerging from and returning to the Nile; the river, a source of life and a revered deity in Egypt, becomes the instrument of judgment and then the place of confinement, directly challenging the impotence of Egyptian gods like Hapi and Heqet. The narrative also employs contrast between the chaos and pervasive nature of the plague and the immediate, orderly, and precise removal orchestrated by God, highlighting His absolute control versus Pharaoh's utter helplessness.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 8:11 stands as a profound testament to God's absolute and meticulous sovereignty over all creation. It reveals a God who not only initiates judgment but also controls its precise cessation, demonstrating His power to bring about both affliction and relief with perfect timing and precision. This divine control, particularly in response to Moses's intercession, underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant servant, even as He deals with an unyielding oppressor like Pharaoh. The precise removal of the frogs, confining them to the Nile, served as a clear act of mercy amidst judgment, offering Pharaoh yet another undeniable opportunity to acknowledge Yahweh's unique power and to repent. Furthermore, by bringing the frogs from the Nile and returning them there, God directly challenged and humiliated the Egyptian deities associated with the river and fertility, proving their utter powerlessness against the one true God. This foreknowledge and control, allowing Pharaoh to choose the time, left no room for doubt that the relief was a direct, supernatural intervention, not a natural occurrence.
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. This verse calls us to faith, reminding us that the same God who commanded the frogs to depart is attentive to our cries and fully capable of bringing about deliverance and peace in our own lives, leaving behind only the evidence of His power, not the lingering torment of our trials.
Questions for Reflection
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. This specific command highlights God's meticulous control, demonstrating that He is sovereign not only in bringing judgment but also in its exact withdrawal, as seen in the broader narrative of Exodus 8.
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) 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, further highlighting His omnipotence and the impotence of Egypt's gods, as detailed throughout the plague accounts in Exodus 7, Exodus 8, Exodus 9, Exodus 10, Exodus 11, Exodus 12.
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 with a word in Mark 4:39), 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 on the cross and His glorious resurrection. Christ's authority ensures that while sin's presence may persist in the world for a time, its ultimate power over believers is broken, and its final removal is guaranteed in the new creation (Revelation 21:4). His command over unclean spirits, often depicted as frog-like in later biblical imagery (Revelation 16:13), further underscores His complete victory over all that defiles and oppresses, offering true and lasting freedom to all who believe in Him.