Exodus 8:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the Lord did according to the word of Moses. The frogs died out in the houses, the courtyards, and the fields.

NIV: And the Lord did what Moses asked. The frogs died in the houses, in the courtyards and in the fields.

NASB: The Lord did according to the word of Moses, and the frogs died out of the houses, the courtyards, and the fields.

CSB: The Lord did as Moses had said: the frogs in the houses, courtyards, and fields died.

NLT: And the Lord did just what Moses had predicted. The frogs in the houses, the courtyards, and the fields all died.

KJV: And the Lord did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields.

NKJV: So the Lord did according to the word of Moses. And the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courtyards, and out of the fields.

This verse indicates that God did precisely as Moses said He would. This does not mean that the Lord followed Moses' commands. It demonstrates that Moses' earlier words were truly a message from God (Exodus 3:10; 5:1–3; 7:2). Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron to ask for relief from a plague of frogs (Exodus 8:8). Moses agreed to a timeline, so Pharaoh would know that it was the Lord who controlled the situation (Exodus 8:9–11).

As expected, the invasion of frogs which infested every aspect of Egyptian life (Exodus 8:3–4) was stopped. Most likely, Pharaoh was not expecting this exact mechanism. The plague has already demeaned the Egyptian goddess associated with frogs, Heqet, by proving that only the God of Israel has power. Now, the symbols of her power drop dead, all at once. The corruption of the Nile created a revolting stench (Exodus 7:20–21). The second plague, as well, makes a disgusting mess of Egypt (Exodus 8:14).

Exodus 8:1–15 describes the second plague: frogs. The rotting Nile (Exodus 7:20–23) spits out a wave of frogs into Egyptian streets and homes. Pharaoh's conjurers can also summon frogs—but they can't remove them. So, Pharoh turns to Moses. They schedule a specific moment to lift the plague. This explicit timing made it clear that Israel's God, not the Egyptian frog goddess Heqet, was in control. As soon as the pressure of the plague is off, Pharoah changes his mind about releasing the Israelites.

After Pharaoh ignores the first plague (Exodus 7:20–23), God sends a swarm of frogs. Pharaoh's magicians can summon frogs, but they can't get rid of them. So, he appeals to Moses. Though the plague is lifted, Pharaoh re-jects the command to release Israelite slaves. This leads to a plague of gnats and then one of flies, with similar results. The arrival of these creatures might have been caused by the corruption of the Nile River, but only God's supernatural work could make them disappear. Future plagues will be increasingly severe (Exodus 9:6, 10, 22; 10:4, 22; 12:29–32).

Moses and Aaron offered a sign to Pharaoh (Exodus 7:10–13), but he still refused to release the Hebrew slaves (Ex-odus 1:11–14). This triggered the first of the ten plagues of Egypt: turning water into blood (Exodus 7:20–21). This chapter includes the next three disasters: frogs, gnats, and flies. Pharaoh stubbornly refuses to concede each time. Upcoming plagues will escalate (Exodus 9:6, 10, 22, 10:4, 22), leading to the death of Egypt's firstborn (Exodus 12:29–32) and Israel's release (Exodus 12:41).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 9/13/2025 8:24:52 PM