Exodus 8:16
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.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָה֮
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֮
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נְטֵ֣ה
Stretch out
H5186
נְטֵ֣ה
Stretch out
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
8 of 19
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַטְּךָ֔
thy rod
H4294
מַטְּךָ֔
thy rod
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
10 of 19
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
וְהַ֖ךְ
and smite
H5221
וְהַ֖ךְ
and smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
11 of 19
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֲפַ֣ר
the dust
H6083
עֲפַ֣ר
the dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
13 of 19
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
וְהָיָ֥ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
15 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Exodus 8:5And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.Exodus 8:17And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
Historical Context
Geb was Egyptian god of the earth, portrayed lying beneath sky goddess Nut. The magicians could not replicate this plague, admitting 'This is the finger of God' (v.19)—recognizing power beyond human manipulation.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the magicians' failure teach about the limits of human power?
- How does this plague demonstrate God's authority over creation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Verse 16 introduces the plague of lice or gnats (כִּנִּם, kinnim), targeting Geb, earth god. Aaron struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice throughout Egypt. This plague attacks Egypt's very ground, showing YHWH's power over the earth itself.