Keraia
Exodus 8

Exodus 8:16

The Third Plague: Gnats · Exodus 8:16–19
Read Exodus 8

Translations

Modern
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may turn into swarms of gnats throughout the land of Egypt.’”
Traditional
And the Lord said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
Literal
And YHWH said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the land, and it shall become gnats in all the land of Egypt.’”
Latin
Dixitque Dominus ad Moysen: Loquere ad Aaron: Extende virgam tuam, et percute pulverem terræ: et sint sciniphes in universa terra Ægypti.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may turn into swarms of gnats throughout the land of Egypt.’”

Notes

Exodus 8:16–19

The third plague was the plague of gnats. The word translated gnats is very general. Technical Old Testament dictionaries often translate it as vermin. The English term bugs would come close. The whole land was infested with insects of one sort or another.

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Moses Pharaoh The Plagues

Events

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of Frog Gnat Hardness of Heart History of Israel Jannes and Jambres Lice Magic Miracle Numbers and Numerology Plague Plagues upon Egypt

Topics

Insects: Lice Lice: Plague of Plague: The Plague of Lice The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Egyptians