Exodus 8:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Or else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants and your people, and into your houses. And the houses of the Egyptians shall be filled with swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand.

NIV: If you do not let my people go, I will send swarms of flies on you and your officials, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians will be full of flies; even the ground will be covered with them.

NASB: For if you are not going to let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and on your servants and on your people, and into your houses; and the houses of the Egyptians will be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they live.

CSB: But if you will not let my people go, then I will send swarms of flies against you, your officials, your people, and your houses. The Egyptians’ houses will swarm with flies, and so will the land where they live.

NLT: If you refuse, then I will send swarms of flies on you, your officials, your people, and all the houses. The Egyptian homes will be filled with flies, and the ground will be covered with them.

KJV: Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.

NKJV: Or else, if you will not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand.

The first two plagues against Egypt came with warnings (Exodus 7:17; 8:2). The third records no prior notice, but it implies an obvious act of God (Exodus 8:19). The fourth plague once again comes with an ultimatum to Pharaoh: release the Hebrew slaves (Exodus 1:11–14; 5:1–4; 8:20). Else, the Egyptians will be swarmed with flies. The threat is descriptive. The flies will be everywhere, including in Pharaoh's own home and even covering the ground. However, the people of Israel will be spared (Exodus 8:22), reinforcing the miraculous nature of the plague. This detail also disproves any power the Egyptian idols might have claimed over nature.

Flies are present nearly everywhere on earth. They are drawn to waste, food, carrion, and almost anything else that can be eaten. Some give irritating bites. They are large enough to be a major nuisance, not to mention carrying disease. A major infestation of flies would create a dirty, distressing environment. Having so many flies that they cover the ground would be a nightmare. Unlike prior plagues, there is no indication that Pharaoh's magicians even tried to duplicate the effect. They may have known, by now, that there was no point. Appeals to Egyptian idols like Wadjet had already failed.

This plague also comes after—or possibly even during—prior catastrophes. The Nile was turned into blood for seven days (Exodus 7:21, 25). Dead frogs were piled in reeking heaps (Exodus 8:14). Tiny insects were everywhere (Exodus 8:17). God may have caused the explosion of flies using these very factors. Or, they may have been an entirely new problem. The next plague, on livestock (Exodus 9:3), might also have been sparked by a major fly infestation.

Exodus 8:20–32 presents the fourth plague in response to Pharaoh's continued resistance to Israelite freedom. This involves droves of insects: possibly flies or the larger, biting horseflies. The Hebrew word simply means "swarms." There are so many flies that they even cover the ground. This time, Israelite territory is specifically exempt from the disaster. That restriction further removes doubts that this was an unplanned coincidence. Pharaoh seems willing to allow some measure of freedom for Israel, but quickly changes his mind.

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.