Exodus 8:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} did {H6213} according to the word {H1697} of Moses {H4872}; and the frogs {H6854} died {H4191} out of the houses {H1004}, out of the villages {H2691}, and out of the fields {H7704}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI did as Moshe had asked -the frogs died in the houses, courtyards and fields;

Berean Standard Bible

And the LORD did as Moses requested, and the frogs in the houses, the courtyards, and the fields died.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courts, and out of the fields.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Precisely records the immediate and comprehensive cessation of the plague of frogs from Egypt, demonstrating Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over creation and His unfailing faithfulness to His spoken word through Moses. This pivotal moment not only validates Moses' divine appointment as God's prophet but also powerfully asserts the LORD's supremacy over all the gods of Egypt, particularly challenging the perceived power of the frog-headed deity, Heqet.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the climactic resolution of the second plague, immediately following Pharaoh's desperate plea to Moses for relief from the overwhelming frog infestation. In [Exodus 8:8](/exodus/8-8 "Pharaoh pleads for the frogs to be removed"), Pharaoh, under immense pressure, asks Moses to intercede with Yahweh. Moses, in a remarkable display of divine authority, allows Pharaoh to name the time for the plague's removal in [Exodus 8:9-10](/exodus/8-9-10 "Moses sets the time for the frogs' removal"), ensuring that the cessation would be undeniably a miraculous act of God, not a natural occurrence. The precise fulfillment of this timing, as recorded in [Exodus 8:13](/exodus/8-13 "The Lord removes the frogs as promised"), serves to authenticate Moses' prophetic office and underscore the LORD's absolute control, setting the stage for the escalating confrontation between God and Pharaoh.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was deeply polytheistic, with a pantheon of gods associated with various aspects of nature and human life. The plague of frogs directly challenged the Egyptian goddess Heqet, often depicted with the head of a frog, who was revered as a deity of fertility, birth, and resurrection. The frogs, usually seen as a sign of the Nile's life-giving bounty, became an unbearable curse, defiling every aspect of Egyptian life. The subsequent death of the frogs, not just their disappearance, would have been a profound defilement in Egyptian religious thought, as dead animals were considered unclean. This plague, like all others, was meticulously designed to expose the impotence of Egypt's gods and demonstrate the singular, supreme power of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** [Exodus 8:13](/exodus/8-13 "The Lord removes the frogs as promised") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Exodus. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty**, showcasing God's absolute dominion over all creation, able to both unleash and withdraw judgment at will. Secondly, it underscores the **Reliability of God's Word**, as the LORD acts precisely "according to the word of Moses," affirming that what God declares through His chosen servant will unfailingly come to pass. Thirdly, it emphasizes **Moses' Divine Authority** as God's appointed messenger and agent, whose intercession carries the weight of divine command. Finally, it continues the theme of **Yahweh's Supremacy over Pagan Deities**, systematically dismantling the credibility of the Egyptian gods by demonstrating their utter powerlessness against the God of Israel, a theme that will intensify throughout the plagues (e.g., [Exodus 12:12](/exodus/12-12 "Judgment on the gods of Egypt")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God, signifying "the self-Existent or Eternal." Its presence here emphasizes that it is the personal, active, and sovereign God of Israel who is performing this miraculous act, not a generic deity or natural force. It underscores His unique identity and power in contrast to the Egyptian gods.
* **did (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This verb, meaning "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application," highlights the active and intentional nature of God's intervention. It implies a deliberate, powerful act of creation and control, not a passive observation. God actively brought about the cessation of the plague, demonstrating His direct involvement in the affairs of humanity.
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term refers to "a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing." In this context, it signifies the specific declaration or command given by Moses, which God faithfully executed. It emphasizes the direct correlation between Moses' prophetic utterance and God's divine action, validating the authority of God's spoken revelation through His chosen prophet.
* **died (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** This primitive root means "to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill." The explicit mention of the frogs dying, rather than merely disappearing, is crucial. It signifies a complete and irreversible end to the plague, leaving no room for their return. Furthermore, the presence of countless dead frogs would have created an additional layer of defilement and disgust for the Egyptians, intensifying the plague's impact even in its cessation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD did according to the word of Moses":** This opening clause immediately establishes God's direct and precise response to Moses' intercession. It underscores the divine faithfulness and the validation of Moses' authority. God's action was not coincidental but a deliberate and exact fulfillment of the timing and request articulated by His prophet, leaving no doubt about the miraculous nature of the event.
* **"and the frogs died":** This phrase describes the immediate and comprehensive cessation of the plague. The death of the frogs signifies the complete removal of the infestation, leaving no living remnants. This detail is crucial for demonstrating the finality of God's judgment and His power to bring about a thorough end to the affliction.
* **"out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields":** This tripartite description emphasizes the pervasive nature of the plague and the comprehensiveness of God's deliverance. The frogs had invaded every sphere of Egyptian life—the private dwellings, the communal settlements, and the agricultural lands. Their death in all these locations signifies God's total power to cleanse and restore, leaving no area untouched by His judgment or His subsequent removal of it.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Divine Action** is central, as the LORD is depicted as the sole agent of the plague's removal, emphasizing His omnipotence and direct involvement in human history. The phrase "according to the word of Moses" highlights **Prophetic Authority**, where Moses' words become the conduit for God's will, underscoring the divine backing of His chosen servant. The detailed enumeration of locations—"out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields"—functions as **Merism**, a rhetorical device where two contrasting or comprehensive parts represent the whole. Here, it signifies that the frogs died everywhere, from the most private to the most public and agricultural spaces, emphasizing the totality of the plague's reach and the completeness of its removal. This also implies a form of **Hyperbole** in its comprehensive scope, vividly portraying the overwhelming nature of the infestation and the thoroughness of God's deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates God's active engagement in human history, not as a distant observer but as a sovereign ruler who intervenes directly to accomplish His purposes. The precise and comprehensive removal of the frogs, especially given their association with the Egyptian goddess Heqet, serves as an unequivocal declaration of Yahweh's unparalleled power and authority over all creation and all false deities. It reinforces the truth that God's word, spoken through His chosen representatives, is efficacious and unfailingly fulfilled, providing a foundation for trust in divine promises.

* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "God is not a man, that he should lie")
* [Psalm 33:9](/psalms/33-9 "For he spoke, and it came to be")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "God's word will not return empty")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Exodus 8:13](/exodus/8-13 "The Lord removes the frogs as promised") offers profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us that God is intimately involved in the affairs of His creation and possesses the power to bring swift and complete deliverance from overwhelming troubles. Just as He removed the frogs from every corner of Egypt, God is capable of cleansing and restoring areas of our lives that feel infested by sin, overwhelmed by hardship, or defiled by spiritual oppression. This verse should inspire us to pray with profound confidence, knowing that God hears and can act decisively in our circumstances, often in ways that defy natural explanation. However, it also carries a crucial cautionary note: Pharaoh's experience of God's mighty power and mercy ultimately led to further hardening of his heart ([Exodus 8:15](/exodus/8-15 "Pharaoh hardens his heart after the frogs are removed")). True encounter with God's power should lead to repentance, humility, and sustained obedience, not a stubborn return to old ways or a dismissal of His saving grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precision of God's action in this verse strengthen your trust in His promises and His ability to intervene in your life?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need God to "remove the frogs"—to bring cleansing, deliverance, or restoration?**
* **What lessons can we learn from Pharaoh's response to God's mercy, and how can we ensure our hearts remain soft and responsive to God's work?**

### FAQ
**Why did God remove the frogs so precisely?**

Answer: God removed the frogs precisely at the time Moses specified ([Exodus 8:9-10](/exodus/8-9-10 "Moses sets the time for the frogs' removal")) to eliminate any doubt that this was a miraculous act of divine power, not a natural occurrence or coincidence. This precision served multiple purposes: it authenticated Moses' authority as God's messenger, demonstrated Yahweh's absolute control over creation, and directly challenged the Egyptian worldview and their gods, proving their impotence against the God of Israel.

**What is the significance of the frogs dying "out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields"?**

Answer: This detailed description emphasizes the comprehensiveness of God's deliverance. The frogs had invaded every sphere of Egyptian life, from the most private dwellings to the public spaces and agricultural lands. Their complete removal from all these areas signifies God's total power to cleanse and restore, leaving no remnant of the plague behind. It highlights God's ability to bring complete relief from overwhelming affliction, demonstrating His thoroughness in both judgment and mercy.

**Does this verse suggest God always acts immediately upon prayer?**

Answer: While [Exodus 8:13](/exodus/8-13 "The Lord removes the frogs as promised") clearly shows God acting immediately and precisely in response to Moses' prayer, it illustrates God's *ability* to do so, not a universal rule for all prayer. God always hears the prayers of His people, but His timing and method of response are sovereignly determined according to His perfect will and purposes ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "All things work together for good")). This particular instance served a unique, strategic purpose in the unfolding Exodus narrative, authenticating Moses and demonstrating God's power to Pharaoh.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Exodus 8:13](/exodus/8-13 "The Lord removes the frogs as promised") primarily reveals God's power and faithfulness in the Old Testament context, it profoundly foreshadows the ultimate deliverance and authority embodied in Jesus Christ. Just as the LORD, through Moses, commanded the cessation of a physical plague, Jesus demonstrates supreme authority over all creation, sickness, and spiritual oppression. He is the true and greater Prophet whose words are God's very own, and whose intervention brings not just temporary relief from physical plagues but eternal cleansing from the plague of sin and death. His ministry is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to deliver His people, not merely from physical bondage, but into spiritual freedom and new life through His atoning sacrifice on the cross ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Jesus' calming of the storm ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Jesus calms the storm")) and His authority over demons ([Matthew 8:16](/matthew/8-16 "Jesus casts out demons")) echo the divine power displayed in Exodus, revealing Him as the sovereign Lord who has come to undo the works of the devil and establish His eternal kingdom ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "The Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil")).

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

Deuteronomy 34:10

And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,

Deuteronomy 34:12

And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.