Exodus 8:18 - Printer Friendly

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

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,

NASB: The soothsayer priests tried with their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not; so there were gnats on every person and animal.

CSB: The magicians tried to produce gnats using their occult practices, but they could not. The gnats remained on people and animals.

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.

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.

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.

Egyptian court magicians were able to duplicate prior miracles—or at least make it seem like they did (Exodus 7:11–12, 21–22; 8:7). During the last plague, it seems their success was limited (Exodus 8:8). Now, the sorcerers are at a loss. An all-pervading swarm of tiny insects has overtaken Egypt (Exodus 8:16–17). Whether the occultists' prior successes were tricks or supernatural acts by demons, they have no such luck now. They know, for certain, that this cannot be a trick. It cannot be done by the powers they have. This strikes against Egyptian belief in various insect- and marsh-related idols such as Wadjet.

The conjurers will interpret this situation correctly: they will attribute the plague to divine power (Exodus 8:19). They might not have fully understood the God of Israel, but they could recognize true supernatural power. Pharaoh, however, will continue to ignore these proofs. What should have been another sign that he should release the Israelites (Exodus 1:11–14; 5:1–4) becomes more evidence of his insincerity.

Exodus 8:16–19 records the third plague: a massive infestation of small insects. These may have been literal "gnats," though the Hebrew word may imply lice, fleas, mosquitos, or all of these. For the first time, Pharaoh's occultists cannot even pretend to match this miracle. The Egyptian magicians attribute the plague to divine power. Yet the Egyptian king is still obstinate, refusing to release 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 3/29/2025 4:57:42 AM