Exodus 8:18

KJV

And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the magicians {H2748} did {H6213} so with their enchantments {H3909} to bring forth {H3318} lice {H3654}, but they could {H3201} not: so there were lice {H3654} upon man {H120}, and upon beast {H929}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The magicians tried with their secret arts to produce lice, but they couldn't. There were lice on people and animals.

Berean Standard Bible

The magicians tried to produce gnats using their magic arts, but they could not. And the gnats remained on man and beast.

American Standard Version

And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: and there were lice upon man, and upon beast.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 8:18 marks a pivotal moment in the escalating conflict between Yahweh and the gods of Egypt, as it unequivocally demonstrates the qualitative difference between divine power and human magic. This verse details the complete and humiliating failure of Pharaoh's most skilled sorcerers to replicate the third plague, the plague of lice (or gnats), thereby compelling them to acknowledge a supernatural force beyond their comprehension and control. It signifies the point where their imitative abilities reached an insurmountable limit, setting the stage for even more severe judgments.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the narrative of the Plagues of Egypt, specifically following the first two plagues (water to blood and frogs), which the Egyptian magicians were able to mimic. The immediate preceding verses ([Exodus 8:16-17](/exodus/8-16-17 "The third plague: lice from dust")) describe Aaron striking the dust of the earth, causing lice to infest all of Egypt. This verse, [Exodus 8:18](/exodus/8-18 "The magicians' failure to replicate the plague of lice"), then records the magicians' attempt and subsequent failure, leading directly to their confession in [Exodus 8:19](/exodus/8-19 "The magicians acknowledge the 'finger of God'"). It represents a crucial turning point, establishing the undeniable supremacy of Yahweh over all Egyptian magical arts and deities.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was deeply steeped in magic and sorcery, with a powerful priestly class that served as advisors to Pharaoh and intermediaries with the gods. Magicians were highly respected figures, believed to possess the ability to manipulate natural forces and communicate with the divine. The plagues were not merely natural disasters but direct assaults on the Egyptian pantheon, challenging the authority and efficacy of specific gods. The plague of lice, originating from the dust of the earth, would have been particularly humiliating as it defiled the land and its inhabitants, making ritual purity impossible for priests and challenging deities like Geb (god of the earth) and various gods associated with purity and fertility.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [Exodus 8](/exodus/8 "Exodus Chapter 8 - Plagues of Frogs, Lice, and Flies") and indeed throughout the plague narrative is the **supremacy of Yahweh** over all false gods and human power. This verse specifically highlights the **limits of human and demonic power** when confronted with true divine authority. It also underscores the theme of **divine judgment**, as the plagues serve as Yahweh's righteous response to Pharaoh's hardened heart and the oppression of Israel. Furthermore, the magicians' failure contributes to the **authentication of Moses' divine commission**, proving him to be a true messenger of the one true God, unlike Pharaoh's false advisors.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Exodus 8:18](/exodus/8-18 "The magicians' inability to bring forth lice") states: "And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast."

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Magicians (Hebrew, _charṭôm'_):** From H2748, this term refers to a "horoscopist (as drawing magical lines or circles); magician." These were the elite, learned sorcerers and diviners in Pharaoh's court, traditionally identified as Jannes and Jambres. Their role was to interpret omens, advise Pharaoh, and perform magical feats. Their failure here is significant precisely because they represent the pinnacle of Egyptian occult power.
* **Bring forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** From H3318, a primitive root meaning "to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively." In this context, it implies an act of creation or manifestation from nothing, or from the earth. The magicians' inability to "bring forth" the lice signifies that their power was limited to manipulation of existing elements, not genuine origination or creation.
* **Could not (Hebrew, _yâkôl'_):** From H3201, a primitive root meaning "to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)." The emphatic "but they could not" (וְלֹא יָכְלוּ) is crucial. It asserts a complete and absolute lack of ability. Unlike previous instances where they could mimic, here they were utterly powerless, unable to achieve even the smallest manifestation of the plague. This marks a definitive boundary to their "enchantments."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the magicians did so with their enchantments":** This clause describes the magicians' attempt to replicate the plague. "Enchantments" (H3909, _lâṭ_) refers to their secret arts, covert magical practices, and incantations. They employed their full repertoire of sorcery, just as they had successfully done for the first two plagues.
* **"to bring forth lice, but they could not":** This is the pivotal turning point. The objective of their magic was to produce the same phenomenon—lice from the dust. However, the emphatic "but they could not" (וְלֹא יָכְלוּ) underscores their utter failure. This was not a partial success or a weaker imitation; it was a complete inability to manifest anything. The creative act of generating life from dust was beyond their power.
* **"so there were lice upon man, and upon beast":** This concluding clause highlights the pervasive reality of the plague, independent of the magicians' efforts. The lice remained, afflicting all Egyptians and their animals. This emphasizes the divine origin and unstoppable nature of the plague, contrasting sharply with the impotence of human magic.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs **Contrast** to highlight the vast chasm between Yahweh's power and that of the Egyptian magicians. The magicians' previous successes in mimicking the first two plagues set up a expectation that is abruptly shattered here, creating a stark contrast between their limited abilities and God's absolute sovereignty. There is also an element of **Irony** in the fact that these powerful sorcerers, who advised Pharaoh and wielded significant influence, were utterly defeated by tiny, seemingly insignificant creatures. Their inability to replicate such a "small" plague underscores their fundamental powerlessness against the God of Israel. The plague itself functions as **Symbolism**, with the pervasive, defiling lice representing the impurity and judgment brought upon Egypt by Yahweh, challenging their religious system and their gods of purity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 8:18 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine power versus human or demonic power. It unequivocally declares that Yahweh's power is not merely quantitatively greater than that of the Egyptian magicians, but qualitatively different and infinitely superior. Their magic, relying on manipulation and imitation, could not replicate an act of creation, demonstrating that their abilities were fundamentally limited and subservient to the true Creator. This public failure of Pharaoh's spiritual advisors was crucial in undermining the credibility of the Egyptian religious system and validating Moses' claims as God's true messenger. It asserted God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and His ability to bring judgment that no human or spiritual force could withstand or replicate.

* [Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10-12 "Prohibition of divination and magic")
* [Isaiah 44:25](/isaiah/44-25 "God frustrates the omens of liars")
* [Acts 19:19-20](/acts/19-19-20 "The burning of magic books in Ephesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound lesson of Exodus 8:18 resonates deeply with believers today, reminding us of the absolute supremacy of God over all competing powers, whether they be human ideologies, spiritual forces of darkness, or the deceptive allure of worldly wisdom. Just as the magicians were forced to concede, "This is the [finger of God](/exodus/8-19 "The magicians' confession of God's power")" ([Exodus 8:19](/exodus/8-19 "See the magicians' confession")), so too are we called to recognize and submit to God's unparalleled authority in every aspect of our lives. This verse encourages us to place our trust not in human strength, cleverness, or any form of manipulative power, but solely in the omnipotent God who can create from nothing and whose will cannot be thwarted. It offers immense comfort, assuring us that no opposition, no matter how formidable, can ultimately stand against the Lord of Hosts. We are invited to rest in His sovereign power, knowing that He is able to accomplish His purposes and deliver His people, even when all human efforts fail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to rely on your own "enchantments" or human ingenuity rather than God's sovereign power?**
* **How does the magicians' failure to create life from dust inform your understanding of God as Creator?**
* **What "impossible" situations are you facing where you need to recognize the "finger of God" at work, rather than seeking human solutions?**
* **How does this passage encourage you to trust in God's ultimate victory over all opposing forces in the world today?**

### FAQ
**Why could the Egyptian magicians not replicate the plague of lice?**

Answer: The magicians' inability to replicate the plague of lice stemmed from its fundamental nature. Unlike the previous plagues, which involved transforming existing elements (water to blood in [Exodus 7:20](/exodus/7-20 "The first plague: water to blood") or bringing forth frogs from existing frogs in [Exodus 8:6](/exodus/8-6 "Aaron brings forth frogs")), the plague of lice involved the creation of new life (insects) from the dust of the earth. This act of origination, bringing something into existence from nothing or from inert matter, was beyond the scope of their magical arts, which relied on manipulation, imitation, or accessing existing spiritual forces, not genuine creation. It demonstrated that God's power was not just quantitatively greater, but qualitatively different and unique, belonging only to the Creator.

**What is the significance of the term "lice" (kinnim) in this context?**

Answer: The Hebrew word *kinnim* (כִּנִּים) is debated among scholars, with translations varying between "lice," "gnats," or "midges." Regardless of the precise insect, the key significance lies in their pervasive, irritating, and defiling nature. These tiny insects covered everything and everyone, causing intense discomfort and, crucially, rendering the Egyptians ritually impure. This impurity prevented priests from performing their sacred duties and defiled the entire land, directly challenging Egyptian religious practices and their deities associated with purity and the earth. The plague's origin from the "dust of the earth" further underscored Yahweh's dominion over the very ground the Egyptians revered.

**How does this event foreshadow the "finger of God" confession?**

Answer: The magicians' complete and undeniable failure to replicate the plague of lice directly led to their confession in the very next verse, [Exodus 8:19](/exodus/8-19 "The magicians acknowledge God's power"), "This is the finger of God." Their inability to produce even these tiny creatures, after successfully mimicking the first two plagues, was so stark and undeniable that it forced them to acknowledge a power beyond their own, a direct divine intervention. This moment marks a critical turning point where even Pharaoh's own trusted advisors had to concede God's unique and supreme authority, thereby validating Moses' divine mission and weakening Pharaoh's resolve.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The ultimate failure of the Egyptian magicians in [Exodus 8:18](/exodus/8-18 "The impotence of false power") serves as a profound Old Testament foreshadowing of the absolute and final triumph of God's power over all opposing spiritual forces, a victory supremely manifested in Jesus Christ. Just as the magicians' enchantments proved impotent before the "finger of God" in the plagues, so too are all the powers of darkness, sin, and death utterly defeated by Christ's redemptive work on the cross and His glorious resurrection. He is the true and ultimate "finger of God," the one through whom all creation came into being and by whom all things are sustained ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Christ as Creator and Sustainer of all things")). The plagues demonstrated God's power to deliver His people from bondage and judge His enemies, a power fully realized in Christ, who delivers humanity from the bondage of sin and death ([Romans 6:6-7](/romans/6-6-7 "Freedom from sin through Christ")) and establishes His eternal kingdom where no opposing power can stand ([1 Corinthians 15:24-26](/1_corinthians/15-24-26 "Christ's ultimate triumph over all dominion")). In Jesus, the Creator's power is fully revealed, overcoming all that is false and futile.

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

Exodus 7:11

Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

Exodus 9:11

And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.

Daniel 5:8

Then came in all the king's wise [men]: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.

Daniel 2:10

The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore [there is] no king, lord, nor ruler, [that] asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.

Daniel 2:11

And [it is] a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

Daniel 4:7

Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.

Luke 10:18

And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.