Exodus 8:24 kjv

And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies.

Exodus 8:24 nkjv

And the LORD did so. Thick swarms of flies came into the house of Pharaoh, into his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt. The land was corrupted because of the swarms of flies.

Exodus 8:24 niv

And the LORD did this. Dense swarms of flies poured into Pharaoh's palace and into the houses of his officials; throughout Egypt the land was ruined by the flies.

Exodus 8:24 esv

And the LORD did so. There came great swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh and into his servants' houses. Throughout all the land of Egypt the land was ruined by the swarms of flies.

Exodus 8:24 nlt

And the LORD did just as he had said. A thick swarm of flies filled Pharaoh's palace and the houses of his officials. The whole land of Egypt was thrown into chaos by the flies.

Exodus 8 verses

Exodus 8 24 Meaning

Exodus 8:24 describes the immediate execution of the plague of grievous swarms of flies, specifically highlighting its pervasive and destructive impact across the entire land of Egypt, yet with the crucial exception of the Goshen region where the Israelites resided, as explicitly stated in the preceding verse. This plague served as a divine judgment against Pharaoh's refusal to release Israel, demonstrating God's power over creation and His sovereign distinction between His people and their oppressors. The verse underscores the widespread corruption and devastation caused by the swarms, making life unbearable and significantly impacting the land's habitability.

Exodus 8 24 Context

Exodus chapter 8 details the second triad of plagues (frogs, gnats, flies) delivered by God upon Egypt as Pharaoh continues to defy the divine command to let Israel go. Following the plague of frogs, which infested Egyptian homes, and the plague of gnats, which demonstrated the limits of Egyptian magic, Pharaoh showed some inclination to negotiate but remained obstinate. Before the plague of flies, Moses announced it with a specific promise of distinction between Egypt and Israel (Ex 8:22-23), indicating a new level of divine precision and control. This plague, unlike the previous ones which affected both Egyptians and Israelites, was targeted exclusively at the Egyptians, including Pharaoh himself, his officials, and their households, making its impact undeniable and further proving the unique power and sovereignty of the LORD over the gods of Egypt. The plague's severity and its localized nature in Egypt (but not Goshen) aimed to compel Pharaoh to release Israel by demonstrating God's direct involvement in the physical realm and His ability to protect His own.

Exodus 8 24 Word analysis

• And the LORD did so:

  • This phrase emphasizes God's direct and immediate action, highlighting His faithfulness to His word spoken through Moses. It affirms His omnipotence and control over creation, distinct from human effort or natural occurrences.
  • God’s action fulfills His promise in Exodus 8:23, "I will put a division (or distinction)."

• there came a grievous swarm of flies:

  • grievous (כָּבֵד, kaved): Means heavy, weighty, severe, burdensome, mighty. It denotes an intense, debilitating, and overwhelmingly powerful presence, not merely an annoyance but a destructive force causing immense suffering and damage. It speaks to the oppressive and debilitating nature of the plague.
  • swarm (עָרֹב, ‘arov): This Hebrew term specifically refers to a mixture of harmful insects, likely biting flies, possibly dog-flies (due to a similar sounding word for "dog" or a root indicating destruction/ravage). It indicates not just quantity but a specific type of pest that inflicts harm. Unlike earlier plagues, these insects are explicitly devastating to life and environment.
  • This plague demonstrates God's sovereignty over living creatures, bringing judgment through something small yet overwhelming. It might have targeted Egyptian deities like Khepri (scarab beetle god of creation, often depicted with winged forms) or Hathor (often associated with insect imagery) by demonstrating their inability to protect their worshippers.

• into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt:

  • This triple declaration highlights the universal and pervasive nature of the plague throughout Egypt. It spared no one in the ruling class or general populace, impacting every household and region.
  • It demonstrates God's judgment extending even into the most secure and prestigious places, including Pharaoh’s royal palace, signifying the futility of human power against divine decree. This contrasts sharply with the exemption of Goshen.

• the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies:

  • corrupted (שָׁחַת, shachath): This is a strong verb meaning to mar, spoil, ruin, destroy, defile, decay. It implies a significant deterioration, making the land unlivable or unproductive.
    • This suggests not merely a nuisance but economic destruction, pollution, disease, and general despoilment of the environment and livelihood. The presence of millions of flies would lead to dead insects everywhere, contaminated food and water, widespread disease for humans and animals, and a general collapse of sanitation.
  • This corruption is a direct result of the plague, showcasing the destructive capacity inherent in creation when divinely unleashed. It’s a stark contrast to God’s original creation, which He declared "good." The land itself suffers from Pharaoh's hardening.

Exodus 8 24 Bonus section

The nature of the "swarm of flies" (עָרֹב, ‘arov) has been debated among scholars, with suggestions ranging from common houseflies, horseflies, dog-flies (which cause significant torment to animals), or even a mixture of different biting insects. Regardless of the exact species, the text emphasizes their overwhelming number and destructive capability ("grievous") rather than a specific entomological classification. This highlights the theological rather than scientific purpose of the plagues – to demonstrate divine power and judgment. The choice of flies, often considered pests but not usually instruments of "corruption" to such an extent, underlines God's ability to use the ordinary in extraordinary ways to accomplish His purposes. The "corruption" of the land could also be seen as a direct symbolic attack on the very foundations of Egyptian society and economy, as agriculture and health were utterly reliant on a pristine environment. The contrast between a "corrupted" land for Egypt and the blessed land of Goshen for Israel subtly prefigures later covenant blessings and curses, where the land's health and productivity are often tied to the obedience or disobedience of its inhabitants (e.g., Deut 28).

Exodus 8 24 Commentary

Exodus 8:24 vividly illustrates the immediate and overwhelming impact of the fourth plague. God's faithfulness is paramount: "the LORD did so," underscoring His active and sovereign hand in judging Egypt. The term "grievous swarm of flies" points to a severely debilitating infestation of biting insects, chosen by God to inflict maximum suffering and expose the impotence of Egyptian deities like the scarab beetle god, Khepri, or even Ra, whose sun often drew insect life. The plague's reach into "the house of Pharaoh" and "all the land of Egypt" demonstrates God's all-encompassing power, proving that no one, not even the mighty Pharaoh, could escape His judgment. Critically, the distinction previously promised in Exodus 8:22-23 (Exodus 8:23 uses a word related to separation or redemption) became a visible reality, ensuring the Israelites were unharmed while Egypt faced ruin. This sharp contrast between the land of Goshen and the rest of Egypt solidified the claim that "I am the LORD in the midst of the earth," directly challenging Pharaoh's theological claim to divinity and the gods of Egypt. The ultimate effect was that "the land was corrupted," signifying not just annoyance but a severe ecological and health disaster, leading to spoilage, disease, and a direct threat to life and resources. This plague was designed to make life unbearable for the Egyptians, driving home the reality of God's power and His commitment to His covenant people.