Exodus 8:17

Authorized King James Version

And 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ
H6213
And they did
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#2
כֵ֗ן
H3651
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#3
וַיֵּט֩
H5186
stretched out
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
#4
אַֽהֲרֹ֨ן
H175
so for Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#5
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
יָד֤וֹ
H3027
his hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#7
בְמַטֵּ֙הוּ֙
H4294
with his rod
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
#8
וַיַּךְ֙
H5221
and smote
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#9
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
עֲפַ֥ר
H6083
all the dust
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
#11
אֶ֥רֶץ
H776
of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#12
וַתְּהִי֙
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#13
כִנִּ֖ים
H3654
and it became lice
a gnat
#14
בָּֽאָדָ֖ם
H120
in man
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#15
וּבַבְּהֵמָ֑ה
H929
and in beast
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
#16
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#17
עֲפַ֥ר
H6083
all the dust
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
#18
אֶ֥רֶץ
H776
of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#19
הָיָ֥ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#20
כִנִּ֖ים
H3654
and it became lice
a gnat
#21
בְּכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#22
אֶ֥רֶץ
H776
of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#23
מִצְרָֽיִם׃
H4714
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Exodus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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