TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
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.
World English Bible Messianic
The magicians tried with their enchantments to produce lice, but they couldn’t. There were lice on man, and on animal.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Nowe the enchanters assaied likewise with their enchantments to bring forth lyce, but they could not. So the lyce were vpon man and vpon beast.
Young's Literal Translation
And the scribes do so with their flashings, to bring out the gnats, and they have not been able, and the gnats are on man and on beast;
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In the KJVVerse 1,729 of 31,102
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Commentary on Exodus 8 verses 16–19
16 ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
17 And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
18 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.
19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
Here is a short account of the plague of lice. It does not appear that any warning was given of it before. Pharaoh's abuse of the respite granted to him might have been a sufficient warning to him to expect another plague: for if the removal of an affliction harden us, and so we lose the benefit of it, we may conclude it goes away with a purpose to return or to make room for a worse. Observe,
I. How this plague of lice was inflicted on the Egyptians, Exo 8:16, Exo 8:17. The frogs were produced out of the waters, but these live out of the dust of the earth; for out of any part of the creation God can fetch a scourge, with which to correct those that rebel against him. He has many arrows in his quiver. Even the dust of the earth obeys him. "Fear not then, thou worm Jacob, for God can use thee as a threshing instrument, if he please," Isa 41:14, Isa 41:15. These lice, no doubt, were extremely vexatious, as well as scandalous, to the Egyptians. Though they had respite, they had respite but awhile, Rev 11:14. The second woe was past, but behold the third woe came very quickly.
II. How the magicians were baffled by it, Exo 8:18. They attempted to imitate it, but they could not. When they failed in this, it should seem they attempted to remove it; for it follows, So there were lice upon man and beast, in spite of them. This forced them to confess themselves overpowered: This is the finger of God (Exo 8:19); that is, "This check and restraint put upon us must needs be from a divine power." Note, 1. God has the devil in a chain, and limits him both as a deceiver and as a destroyer; hitherto he shall come, but no further. The devil's agents when God permitted them, could do great things; but when he laid an embargo upon them, though but with his finger, they could do nothing. The magicians' inability, in this less instance, showed whence they had their ability in the former instances which seemed greater, and that they had no power against Moses but what was given them from above. 2. Sooner or later God will extort, even from his enemies, an acknowledgment of his own sovereignty and over-ruling power. It is certain they must all (as we say) knock under at last, as Julian the apostate did, when his dying lips confessed, Thou hast overcome me, O thou Galilean! God will not only be too hard for all opposers, but will force them to own it.
III. How Pharaoh, notwithstanding this, was made more and more obstinate (Exo 8:19); even those that had deceived him now said enough to undeceive him, and yet he grew more and more obstinate. Even the miracles and the judgments were to him a savour of death unto death. Note, Those that are not made better by God's word and providences are commonly made worse by them.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 16–19. Public domain.
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QUESTIONS ON THE OLD TESTAMENT, EX 14:4-7
After these plagues, gnats are brought forth. This animal flies through the air suspended on wings. But it is so subtle and minute that it escapes being seen by the eye unless one looks closely. But when it lands on the body it drills in with a sharp sting. If anyone cannot see it flying, he still feels its sting immediately.This sort of animal can be compared with the subtlety of heretics, who drill into souls with the subtle stings of their words. They attack with such cunning that one who is deceived neither sees nor understands the source of his deception. At the third sign the magicians yielded and said, “The finger of God is here.” Those magicians stand for heretics and their animosity.
The apostle states this when he says, “Just as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so too these men resisted the truth. They are corrupt in mind and reprobate in matters of faith. But they will not advance any further. Their madness will be manifested to everyone, just as Jannes’ and Jambres’ was.” The minds of the Egyptian magicians were disquieted by their own corruption, and their power failed at the third sign. They confessed that the Holy Spirit was against them, for the Spirit was in Moses.
The Holy Spirit is put in the third place, and he is the finger of God. Thus the magicians failed at the third sign and said, “The finger of God is here.” The Holy Spirit, well disposed and favorable, gives rest to the meek and humble of heart but, when he is opposed, stirs up disquiet against the merciless and the proud. Those tiny gnats signified this disquiet, at which Pharaoh’s magicians failed and said, “The finger of God is here.”
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 8:18 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
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 8:18 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
Verse Breakdown
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.
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), 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
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 or bringing forth frogs from existing frogs in Exodus 8:6), 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, "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 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). 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) and establishes His eternal kingdom where no opposing power can stand (1 Corinthians 15:24-26). In Jesus, the Creator's power is fully revealed, overcoming all that is false and futile.