Exodus 8:22 kjv

And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.

Exodus 8:22 nkjv

And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the land.

Exodus 8:22 niv

"?'But on that day I will deal differently with the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarms of flies will be there, so that you will know that I, the LORD, am in this land.

Exodus 8:22 esv

But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.

Exodus 8:22 nlt

But this time I will spare the region of Goshen, where my people live. No flies will be found there. Then you will know that I am the LORD and that I am present even in the heart of your land.

Exodus 8 verses

Exodus 8 22 Meaning

Exodus 8:22 reveals God's deliberate and miraculous distinction between the Egyptians and His people Israel during the plague of swarms. It signifies that God is specifically protecting His own, establishing His supreme identity and power, and demonstrating His sovereignty not just over Egypt, but over all creation, in order for Pharaoh to recognize Him as the one true Lord active across the entire world. This targeted divine action underscores the specific nature of God’s judgment and His covenant relationship with Israel.

Exodus 8 22 Context

Exodus chapter 8 details the second and third cycles of the plagues sent by God upon Egypt, specifically the plagues of frogs, lice, and then swarms (likely of flies or biting insects). Following the Pharaoh’s continued refusal to let Israel go and his failed attempts to control the plagues, God intensifies His demonstration of power. Verse 22 introduces a new, crucial element starting with the fourth plague (swarms): a visible and miraculous distinction between the Goshen region, where the Israelites dwelt, and the rest of Egypt. This physical separation elevates the plagues from general calamity to precisely targeted divine judgment, aimed directly at breaking Pharaoh’s resistance and asserting God's sovereignty over all creation, in contrast to the localized or limited power of Egyptian deities and the Pharaoh's own perceived divinity. Historically, the Egyptians worshipped a vast pantheon of gods, including various insect and animal deities, which this plague directly challenges and discredits.

Exodus 8 22 Word analysis

• "And I will sever": The Hebrew word here is פָלָה (palâh), which means "to distinguish, to set apart, to separate in a marvelous way, to put a difference." This is not a mere natural occurrence or boundary, but a miraculous and exceptional act of divine discrimination. It implies God's specific and intentional action, setting apart His people with wondrous care.
• "in that day": This phrase emphasizes a specific, decisive moment of divine intervention, not a continuous process. It highlights the immediacy and intentionality of God's act.
• "the land of Goshen": אֶרֶץ גֹּשֶׁן (ʾereṣ Gošen). This was the fertile Nile Delta region where Joseph had settled his family (Gen 47:6). Its designation here highlights its specific exemption, demonstrating God's precise control and intimate knowledge of where His people reside. This was not a general area but a specific district, known to both Egyptians and Israelites.
• "in which My people dwell": This directly states God’s covenant ownership of Israel. They are "My people" (עַמִּי - ʿammî), indicating a special, exclusive relationship. God is acting on behalf of those He has chosen and claimed.
• "that no swarms of flies shall be there": This is the direct result of the "severing." The 'swarms' (עָרֹב - ʿārōḇ) likely refer to various winged and possibly crawling insects or biting creatures. The exemption for Goshen demonstrates God's power over the natural order and challenges any Egyptian deity associated with insects or specific elements of nature, such as Khepri (the scarab-headed god).
• "to the end that thou mayest know": This is the ultimate purpose clause (לְמַעַן תֵּדַע - lemaʿan tēḏaʿ), a recurring theme throughout the Exodus plagues. The miracle's primary goal is epistemic – for Pharaoh and Egypt to gain knowledge and recognition of God. This revelation is compelled by God’s demonstrable power, moving beyond mere intellectual understanding to an acknowledgment of His active authority.
• "that I am the Lord": This refers to God’s covenant name, Yahweh (יְהוָה - YHWH), signifying His self-existence, eternal being, and covenant faithfulness. It is a direct declaration of His unique identity and supreme authority, explicitly countering Pharaoh's divine pretensions and the multitude of Egyptian gods.
• "in the midst of the earth": This phrase (בְּקֶרֶב הָאָרֶץ - beqereḇ hāʾāreṣ) signifies God’s omnipresent power and universal dominion. It challenges the common ancient belief in localized deities tied to specific lands. God is not just the God of Israel or a god of a specific region in Egypt; He is Lord over the entire earth and acts within its very core.

• Words-group Analysis:
• "I will sever... that no swarms of flies shall be there": This highlights God's ability to precisely apply judgment and grace within the same geographic area, demonstrating perfect control and discrimination, making the miracle undeniable.
• "in which My people dwell": This underlines the basis for God's action: His covenant love and protective care for His chosen people, marking them out as distinct from other nations.
• "to the end that thou mayest know that I am the Lord": This phrase defines the divine pedagogy behind the plagues. They are not merely destructive acts but revelatory events designed to educate Pharaoh and Egypt (and Israel) about God's true identity, unparalleled power, and unique claim to divinity.
• "I am the Lord in the midst of the earth": This is a profound theological declaration. It emphasizes God's active, reigning presence and absolute sovereignty over all creation, wherever it is, directly confronting any rival claims to cosmic power or localized divine authority.

Exodus 8 22 Bonus section

The distinction in Goshen was a public miracle, meant to be observed by both Egyptians and Israelites, removing any doubt that the plague was merely a natural disaster. This act served as physical evidence for Israel's faith and Egypt's need for repentance. It laid the groundwork for Israel's eventual liberation, illustrating that God had not abandoned His people despite their long bondage, and was actively fighting on their behalf. This protective differentiation also foreshadows later divine interventions where God separates the righteous from the wicked, both in judgment and salvation. It emphasizes that divine intervention is purposeful and selective, showcasing God's righteous character and His absolute control over the boundaries of both blessing and judgment.

Exodus 8 22 Commentary

Exodus 8:22 introduces a pivotal aspect of the plagues: God's ability to supernaturally distinguish between His people and the Egyptians, even while they cohabit the same land. This selective judgment, beginning with the plague of swarms, signifies a profound theological statement. It is a clear and undeniable demonstration of Yahweh’s unparalleled power over all creation and a direct challenge to the impotence of Egyptian deities and the false divinity of Pharaoh. God does not merely send calamity; He meticulously directs it, safeguarding His covenant people. This specific intervention ensures that Pharaoh and his kingdom will unmistakably recognize that the God of Israel, Yahweh, is sovereign, unique, and actively present, wielding universal dominion, unlike any localized or limited deity. The goal is ultimate acknowledgment of His unmatched Lordship.