Exodus 8:22
And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.
Original Language Analysis
וְהִפְלֵיתִי֩
And I will sever
H6395
וְהִפְלֵיתִי֩
And I will sever
Strong's:
H6395
Word #:
1 of 21
to distinguish (literally or figuratively)
בַיּ֨וֹם
in that day
H3117
בַיּ֨וֹם
in that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 21
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֜וּא
H1931
הַה֜וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 21
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
גֹּ֗שֶׁן
of Goshen
H1657
גֹּ֗שֶׁן
of Goshen
Strong's:
H1657
Word #:
6 of 21
goshen, the residence of the israelites in egypt; also a place in palestine
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַמִּי֙
in which my people
H5971
עַמִּי֙
in which my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
8 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
עֹמֵ֣ד
dwell
H5975
עֹמֵ֣ד
dwell
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
9 of 21
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
עָלֶ֔יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֔יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְבִלְתִּ֥י
that no
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֥י
that no
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
11 of 21
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
הֱיֽוֹת
of flies shall be
H1961
הֱיֽוֹת
of flies shall be
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
12 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שָׁ֖ם
H8033
לְמַ֣עַן
there to the end
H4616
לְמַ֣עַן
there to the end
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
15 of 21
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
תֵּדַ֔ע
thou mayest know
H3045
תֵּדַ֔ע
thou mayest know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
16 of 21
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֖ה
that I am the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
that I am the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
19 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Exodus 9:4And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel.Exodus 10:23They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.Malachi 3:18Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.Exodus 9:6And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one.Ezekiel 30:19Thus will I execute judgments in Egypt: and they shall know that I am the LORD.Psalms 110:2The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.Exodus 12:13And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.Exodus 8:10And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God.Exodus 7:17Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.Exodus 9:29And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S.
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 22 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.