Exodus 8:18
And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ
did
H6213
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ
did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 13
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כֵ֨ן
H3651
כֵ֨ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
הַֽחַרְטֻמִּ֧ים
And the magicians
H2748
הַֽחַרְטֻמִּ֧ים
And the magicians
Strong's:
H2748
Word #:
3 of 13
a horoscopist (as drawing magical lines or circles)
בְּלָֽטֵיהֶ֛ם
so with their enchantments
H3909
בְּלָֽטֵיהֶ֛ם
so with their enchantments
Strong's:
H3909
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, covered, i.e., secret; by implication, incantation; also secrecy or (adverb) covertly
לְהוֹצִ֥יא
to bring forth
H3318
לְהוֹצִ֥יא
to bring forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
5 of 13
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָכֹ֑לוּ
but they could
H3201
יָכֹ֑לוּ
but they could
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
9 of 13
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
וַתְּהִי֙
H1961
וַתְּהִי֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
Exodus 7:11Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.Exodus 9:11And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.Daniel 5:8Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.
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 18 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.