Exodus 8:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, "Plead with the Lord to take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord."

NIV: Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Pray to the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the Lord."

NASB: Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, 'Plead with the Lord to remove the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, so that they may sacrifice to the Lord.'

CSB: Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Appeal to the Lord to remove the frogs from me and my people. Then I will let the people go and they can sacrifice to the Lord."

NLT: Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and begged, 'Plead with the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people. I will let your people go, so they can offer sacrifices to the Lord.'

KJV: Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the Lord, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the Lord.

NKJV: Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “Entreat the Lord that He may take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the Lord.”

On two occasions (Exodus 7:11, 22), Egyptian magicians have seemingly duplicated miracles (Exodus 7:10, 20). That contributed to Egypt's king, the pharaoh, ignoring the Lord's commands to release Israelite slaves (Exodus 6:11). When the Lord sends a plague of frogs (Exodus 8:5–6), the occultists are once again able to mimic the effect (Exodus 8:7). This verse indicates that their efforts were only a partial success. Clearly, while the Egyptian magicians could conjure frogs, they could not disperse them. The animals are interfering with every aspect of daily life, even in Pharaoh's own home (Exodus 8:3–4). This leads Pharaoh to contact Moses and Aaron, probably by summoning them to his palace (Exodus 8:12).

The king's response seems to acknowledge the God of Israel, referring to Him using the same term employed by Moses: Yahweh (Exodus 3:15; 5:1–2). This is a step in the right direction. In Egyptian religion, the frog goddess Heqet was associated with fertility and childbirth. Asking for the deity of an enslaved nation to control frogs would have been a humbling moment.

Next, Pharaoh attempts to strike a deal. If the Hebrew God takes away the frogs, Pharaoh will let the Israelites have time for worship (Exodus 3:18). Of course, he is no position to negotiate, and the Lord already knows that Pharaoh will only release Israel under the direst circumstances (Exodus 3:19–20). This is an insincere, shallow response (Exodus 8:15).

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.