Exodus 8:14

And they gathered them together upon heaps: and the land stank.

And they gathered them together {H6651} upon heaps {H2563}: and the land {H776} stank {H887}.

they gathered them in heaps till the land stank.

They were piled into countless heaps, and there was a terrible stench in the land.

And they gathered them together in heaps; and the land stank.

Commentary

Exodus 8:14 graphically describes the immediate, unpleasant aftermath of the second plague God brought upon Egypt: the plague of frogs. After Moses, at Pharaoh's urgent request, had prayed for the frogs to be removed, God caused them to die. This verse details the resulting grim task for the Egyptians and the pervasive consequence.

Context of Exodus 8:14

This verse follows directly after the miraculous cessation of the frog plague. God had sent an overwhelming number of frogs to cover the land (Exodus 8:6) as a powerful sign to Pharaoh to release the Israelites. Overwhelmed by the infestation, Pharaoh had pleaded with Moses to intercede, promising to let the people go if the frogs were removed (Exodus 8:8). Moses prayed, and the frogs died in the houses, courtyards, and fields (Exodus 8:13). Verse 14 depicts the grim reality of clearing away countless dead amphibians, emphasizing the severity and unpleasantness of divine judgment. This scene directly precedes Pharaoh's renewed hardening of his heart in Exodus 8:15.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Lingering Consequences of Disobedience: Even though the active plague had ceased, its effects remained. The stench served as a constant, undeniable reminder of Pharaoh's stubbornness and the cost of resisting God's command. This illustrates that while God may remove an immediate judgment, the natural and often unpleasant consequences of defiance can persist.
  • Divine Power and Judgment: The sheer scale of the frog infestation, and subsequently, the mass death of the frogs, unequivocally demonstrated God's immense power over creation. The resulting decay and foul odor were tangible, inescapable signs of His judgment on Egypt.
  • Overwhelming Nature of the Plagues: The necessity of gathering the dead frogs "upon heaps" underscores the truly overwhelming and disruptive nature of God's intervention, which went far beyond human control or expectation. It was designed to humble Pharaoh and showcase the Lord's supremacy.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses the vivid verb "stank." The Hebrew word for "stank" is ba'esh (בָּא֡שׁ), which means to be foul, to stink, or to be offensive. It conveys a powerful sense of putrefaction and decay, emphasizing the intensely unpleasant sensory experience for the Egyptians. This was not merely an inconvenience but a deeply offensive and pervasive odor that would have made life miserable in the land.

Practical Application

Exodus 8:14 serves as a powerful reminder that our actions have consequences, particularly when we resist divine will. While God is merciful and may alleviate immediate suffering, the effects of our choices, especially those made in defiance of His commands, can have lasting and unpleasant repercussions. It encourages us to consider the full impact of our decisions and to respond promptly and obediently to God's directives, avoiding the "stink" of persistent rebellion. This verse also highlights how God uses even the most unpleasant circumstances to reveal His power and to prompt repentance, much like the broader narrative of the plagues in Egypt.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 34:2

    For the indignation of the LORD [is] upon all nations, and [his] fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

  • Exodus 8:24

    And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm [of flies] into the house of Pharaoh, and [into] his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm [of flies].

  • Ezekiel 39:11

    And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the [noses] of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call [it] The valley of Hamongog.

  • Exodus 7:21

    And the fish that [was] in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.

  • 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.
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