Exodus 10:12 - Yahweh said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up on the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail has left.”

Generated Verse: Exodus 10:12

What does "Exodus 10:12" mean?


This verse is part of the biblical narrative describing the eighth plague that God inflicted upon Egypt to convince Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. Let's break it down:

"Yahweh said to Moses...": This establishes that the command is coming directly from God, emphasizing its divine authority and power. "Yahweh" is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, often translated as "LORD" in English Bibles.
"...Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts...": God is instructing Moses to perform a symbolic act. Moses' outstretched hand is a gesture of invocation and control, signaling the coming of the locusts. The phrase "over the land of Egypt" emphasizes the scope of the impending disaster.
"...that they may come up on the land of Egypt...": This explains the purpose of Moses' action. The locusts are meant to invade and swarm across all of Egypt.
"...and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail has left.": This specifies the destructive nature of the locust plague. They will devour all vegetation – "every herb of the land," emphasizing the comprehensive devastation. The final clause, "even all that the hail has left," is particularly important. It indicates that a previous plague (hail) had already damaged crops, but the locusts will finish off what remained, leaving Egypt barren. This highlights the escalating severity of the plagues and the resilience of Pharaoh's refusal.

In essence, this verse signifies:

Divine power and control: God is orchestrating the locust plague through Moses, demonstrating his authority over nature and Egypt.
Punishment for disobedience: The locusts are a consequence of Pharaoh's refusal to heed God's commands and release the Israelites.
Economic and agricultural devastation: The locusts will consume all remaining vegetation, causing widespread famine and economic hardship in Egypt.
Escalation of plagues: This plague follows the hail plague, highlighting the increasing severity of God's judgment.

The verse is a key part of the larger narrative, showcasing the power of God and the consequences of resisting his will. It also foreshadows the even more devastating plagues to come as Pharaoh continues to refuse to let the Israelites go.

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