Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Exodus 8:2

Next

And if thou refuse to let [them] go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:

And if thou refuse {H3986} to let them go {H7971}, behold, I will smite {H5062} all thy borders {H1366} with frogs {H6854}:

If you refuse to let them go, I will strike all your territory with frogs.

But if you refuse to let them go, I will plague your whole country with frogs.

And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:

Commentary

Context

This verse serves as a direct warning from the Lord, delivered through Moses, to Pharaoh. It follows the first plague where the waters of Egypt were turned to blood, a judgment Pharaoh had largely ignored. God's patience is evident as He gives Pharaoh another opportunity to "let my people go" before unleashing further devastation. Pharaoh's continued defiance is the direct catalyst for this impending judgment, demonstrating God's escalating pressure to secure the release of His people, Israel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Judgment: God's declaration, "I will smite all thy borders with frogs," underscores His absolute sovereignty over creation and His intention to execute judgment on those who defy His will. This plague targeted the very fabric of Egyptian life, demonstrating that no part of their land was beyond God's reach.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Pharaoh's continued refusal to release the Israelites, despite prior warnings and the first plague, directly triggers this severe consequence. It illustrates the escalating nature of divine judgment when warnings are ignored.
  • Humiliation of Egyptian Deities: The plague of frogs was a direct assault on the Egyptian pantheon, particularly the goddess Heket, who was often depicted with a frog's head and associated with fertility and resurrection. God's ability to overwhelm Egypt with her own sacred animal powerfully mocked their spiritual beliefs and highlighted His supremacy.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "frogs" is צְפַרְדֵּעַ (tsephardea'). The term "smite" (נָגַף - nagaph) implies a forceful, direct blow or affliction, emphasizing the intentional and impactful nature of God's coming judgment.

Practical Application

Exodus 8:2 reminds us that God's warnings are not empty threats but serious declarations of His will. It highlights the principle that disobedience carries consequences, and God will act decisively to fulfill His purposes and deliver His people. For believers, it reinforces trust in God's power and His commitment to justice; for those who resist, it serves as a sobering reminder of divine accountability and the importance of heeding God's instructions.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • Psalms 78:45 (3 votes)

    He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.

  • Exodus 9:2 (3 votes)

    For if thou refuse to let [them] go, and wilt hold them still,

  • Exodus 7:14 (3 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart [is] hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.

  • Revelation 16:13 (2 votes)

    And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

  • Revelation 16:14 (2 votes)

    For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

  • Psalms 105:30 (2 votes)

    Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.