Exodus 8:5
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָה֮
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֮
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נְטֵ֤ה
Stretch forth
H5186
נְטֵ֤ה
Stretch forth
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
8 of 23
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יָֽדְךָ֙
thine hand
H3027
יָֽדְךָ֙
thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
10 of 23
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
בְּמַטֶּ֔ךָ
with thy rod
H4294
בְּמַטֶּ֔ךָ
with thy rod
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
11 of 23
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַ֨נְּהָרֹ֔ת
over the streams
H5104
הַ֨נְּהָרֹ֔ת
over the streams
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
13 of 23
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַיְאֹרִ֖ים
over the rivers
H2975
הַיְאֹרִ֖ים
over the rivers
Strong's:
H2975
Word #:
15 of 23
a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָֽאֲגַמִּ֑ים
and over the ponds
H98
הָֽאֲגַמִּ֑ים
and over the ponds
Strong's:
H98
Word #:
17 of 23
a marsh; hence a rush (as growing in swamps); hence a stockade of reeds
וְהַ֥עַל
to come up
H5927
וְהַ֥עַל
to come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
18 of 23
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
21 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Historical Context
Heqet assisted in childbirth and symbolized life and fertility. Frogs were sacred, making them untouchable. The plague forced Egyptians to encounter their goddess everywhere, yet powerless and disgusting.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God expose the impotence of idols you've trusted?
- What happens when blessings become curses through misplaced worship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Verse 5 describes the plague of frogs, targeting Heqet, Egyptian goddess of fertility portrayed as frog-headed. Frogs filled houses, bedrooms, ovens, and kneading bowls—contaminating private and sacred spaces. What Egypt worshipped became its torment.