Exodus 8:21
Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אֵֽינְךָ֮
H369
מַשְׁלִ֨יחַ
behold I will send
H7971
מַשְׁלִ֨יחַ
behold I will send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
4 of 24
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּֽבְעַמְּךָ֛
Else if thou wilt not let my people
H5971
וּֽבְעַמְּךָ֛
Else if thou wilt not let my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
6 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מַשְׁלִ֨יחַ
behold I will send
H7971
מַשְׁלִ֨יחַ
behold I will send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
8 of 24
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וּֽבְעַמְּךָ֛
Else if thou wilt not let my people
H5971
וּֽבְעַמְּךָ֛
Else if thou wilt not let my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
11 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בָּתֵּ֤י
and into thy houses
H1004
בָּתֵּ֤י
and into thy houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
12 of 24
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּמָ֨לְא֜וּ
shall be full
H4390
וּמָ֨לְא֜וּ
shall be full
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
15 of 24
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
בָּתֵּ֤י
and into thy houses
H1004
בָּתֵּ֤י
and into thy houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
16 of 24
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
מִצְרַ֙יִם֙
of the Egyptians
H4714
מִצְרַ֙יִם֙
of the Egyptians
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
17 of 24
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְגַ֥ם
H1571
וְגַ֥ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
הָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה
of flies and also the ground
H127
הָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה
of flies and also the ground
Strong's:
H127
Word #:
21 of 24
soil (from its general redness)
Historical Context
Khepri, the scarab-headed god, symbolized the rising sun and transformation. The distinction between Egypt and Goshen shows this is not natural disaster but divine judgment. God's protection of His people proves His sovereignty.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's protection of His people encourage you in judgment?
- What does the Egypt-Goshen distinction teach about being 'in the world but not of it'?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Verse 21 describes the plague of flies (עָרֹב, arov—swarms), with crucial distinction: Goshen is protected. God says 'I will sever... the land of Goshen' (v.22), demonstrating selective judgment. This plague may target Khepri, scarab beetle god representing resurrection and transformation.