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.

Exodus 8:18 nkjv

Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. So there were lice on man and beast.

Exodus 8:18 niv

But when the magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, they could not. Since the gnats were on people and animals everywhere,

Exodus 8:18 esv

The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast.

Exodus 8:18 nlt

Pharaoh's magicians tried to do the same thing with their secret arts, but this time they failed. And the gnats covered everyone, people and animals alike.

Exodus 8 verses

Exodus 8 18 Meaning

Exodus 8:18 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of the plagues, where the Egyptian magicians, previously able to imitate some of Moses's actions, acknowledge their absolute inability to replicate the third plague (gnats/lice). Their admission, "This is the finger of God!" signifies their recognition of a divine power far superior to their own magical arts or any Egyptian deity. However, despite this undeniable evidence of divine intervention, Pharaoh remains unyielding, his heart continuing to harden, thereby fulfilling the pre-declared word of the LORD.

Exodus 8 18 Context

Exodus 8:18 occurs at the culmination of the third plague inflicted upon Egypt, the plague of gnats (or lice). This verse marks a significant turning point in the sequence of divine judgments against Pharaoh and the Egyptian pantheon. The previous two plagues, turning the Nile to blood (Exo 7:14-25) and frogs inundating the land (Exo 8:1-15), were partially mimicked by Pharaoh's magicians, creating an illusion of rival power or perhaps even validating their own deities. However, with the plague of gnats, an infestation of minuscule biting insects, the magicians' power reaches its limit. Despite their efforts, they could not reproduce this plague from the dust, which the LORD used to create the gnats. Historically and culturally, the magicians (חַרְטֻמִּים - ḥartummim) were an elite class of scribes and diviners in ancient Egypt, counselors to Pharaoh, and seen as potent mediators of divine power and protectors of the land through their arts. Their inability to replicate this plague and their subsequent admission carried immense weight, not only acknowledging a superior deity but also undermining Pharaoh's spiritual authority, which was linked to their successful performance of magic. The specific context thus highlights the LORD's escalating power over all Egyptian magic and deities, while Pharaoh's continued defiance underscores his hardened will in the face of overwhelming divine evidence.

Exodus 8 18 Word analysis

• Then they said (וַיֹּאמְרוּ - vayyom'ru): A narrative connector, signaling a direct quotation and a shift in the storyline. This introduces the significant confession of the magicians.
• the magicians (הַחַרְטֻמִּים - haḥartummim): Refers to the Egyptian court sorcerers, diviners, and interpreters of sacred writings. Their confession here is paramount; these are the very individuals who had opposed Moses, thus validating the LORD's power through their own expertise. This marks their final active appearance in opposing Moses's plagues, shifting from imitation (Exo 7:11, 7:22, 8:7) to acknowledgment of defeat.
• to Pharaoh (אֶל־פַּרְעֹה - ʾel-parʿoh): Indicates a direct and formal communication, as advisors reporting their assessment to their sovereign.
• This is (הִוא - hiʾ): A demonstrative pronoun functioning as "this is" or "it is," making a declarative statement of fact.
• the finger (אֶצְבַּע - ʾet͡sbaʿ): A striking metaphor indicating the minimal, seemingly effortless exertion of God's power. Unlike earlier plagues initiated by Aaron's rod, this plague requires only the merest touch or direction from God. It suggests overwhelming power wielded with ease. It polemically asserts that even the smallest manifestation of Israel's God's power surpasses the totality of Egypt's gods and magic.
• of God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): While Elohim is a generic term for God or gods in Hebrew, in this context, given the direct confrontation with YHWH (the LORD), it implicitly refers to the one true God, Israel's God. The magicians, even in their pagan worldview, discern a specific, unparalleled divine agency at work that is not their own deities or magic.
• But was hardened (וַיֶּחֱזַק - vayyeḥězaq): Derived from the root חָזַק (ḥāzaq), meaning to be strong, firm, hard. In this construct, it emphasizes a reinforced stubbornness. It signifies an act of fortifying or strengthening Pharaoh's resolve against yielding.
• Pharaoh's heart (לֵב־פַּרְעֹה - lēv-parʿoh): In biblical anthropology, the "heart" (לֵב - lev) is not merely an organ but the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and moral character—the core of one's being and decision-making. Thus, Pharaoh's will and moral center were set against God's command.
• and he would not listen (וְלֹא־שָׁמַע - wəloʾ-šāmaʿ): To "listen" (šāmaʿ) in Hebrew often implies not just hearing, but obeying or giving heed. Pharaoh's unwillingness to listen demonstrates his complete rejection of the divine message and evidence, as well as the counsel of his own advisors.
• to them (אֲלֵהֶם - ʾălêhem): Referring to the magicians, whose expertise Pharaoh had previously relied upon and who were now advising him to yield. His stubbornness extends even to his own counselors.
• as (כַּאֲשֶׁר - kaʾăšer): A comparative conjunction, indicating a direct fulfillment or correspondence to something already declared.
• had said (דִּבֶּר - dibbēr): From the verb דִּבֵּר (dibber), meaning "to speak," usually with intention and authority. It refers to God's verbal declaration.
• the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, revealing His personal and eternal nature. This distinguishes Him as the sovereign God of Israel, actively fulfilling His own prophetic word. This contrasts with the magicians' general "God" (Elohim), confirming that Elohim in this context indeed referred to YHWH.

Exodus 8 18 Bonus section

The "finger of God" motif is revisited in the Bible to describe the writing of the Law on stone tablets (Deut 9:10) and, notably, by Jesus Himself in Luke 11:20 when casting out demons, correlating His power over evil with divine authority. This link positions Jesus's work as a direct manifestation of God's active, undeniable power, just as it was in Exodus. The failure of the Egyptian magicians isn't merely about magic; it's a profound polemic against the entire spiritual framework of Egypt, demonstrating that YHWH, the God of Israel, is infinitely superior to all human arts and false gods, whether in creation, law, or spiritual warfare. This incident prefigures the ultimate victory of God's truth over deception, and His sovereign will over human rebellion. Furthermore, this verse marks the end of the first set of three plagues where the magicians were involved, with the subsequent plagues showing God's judgment directly and increasingly on all of Egypt, without further attempts at imitation by the magicians, whose humiliation eventually becomes physical (Exo 9:11).

Exodus 8 18 Commentary

Exodus 8:18 marks a critical juncture, highlighting the definitive clash between divine power and human resistance, augmented by occult forces. The magicians' admission, "This is the finger of God!" (אֶצְבַּע אֱלֹהִים - ʾet͡sbaʿ Elohim), signifies the absolute cessation of their magical abilities to counteract or replicate the plagues. Their earlier, partial successes had sustained Pharaoh's defiance, implying that the Israelite God was just another deity in their pantheon, susceptible to Egyptian counter-magic. However, the inability to produce even gnats from the dust shattered this illusion. The term "finger of God" powerfully understates the overwhelming divine power, suggesting that the Creator needed only the slightest gesture to humble the might of Egypt, directly challenging the Egyptian pantheon (especially the earth god Geb and the creator god Ptah).

Yet, despite this undeniable supernatural sign and the testimony of his most trusted advisors, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened. This is a complex biblical theme of both divine sovereignty and human culpability. While God announced He would harden Pharaoh's heart (Exo 4:21), the text repeatedly shows Pharaoh himself hardening his own heart (e.g., Exo 7:13; 8:15) before divine hardening explicitly takes over. This suggests a progressive judgment: Pharaoh’s initial, freely chosen resistance sets the stage for God's just judicial hardening. Pharaoh’s refusal to listen even to his own magicians illustrates the depth of his stubbornness and rebellion against God, demonstrating the profound dangers of unyielding pride. The concluding phrase, "as the LORD had said," reinforces God's omniscience and the infallibility of His prophetic word, revealing His complete control over events and the certainty of His purposes unfolding despite human opposition. This verse underscores God's active involvement in human affairs, fulfilling His plan for Israel's deliverance and revealing His glory over all rival powers.