Exodus 8 explained: Frogs, Gnats, Flies and Broken Promises

Frogs cover the land (vv. 1-7)

Moses repeats the Lord's demand to free the Israelites, and frogs swarm out of the Nile into homes, beds, ovens and bread bowls. Egypt's magicians make frogs appear too, but they only add to the problem and cannot take it away.

Pharaoh's first promise (vv. 8-15)

For the first time Pharaoh asks Moses to pray for him, and Moses lets him pick the time so he will know there is no one like the Lord. The frogs die in stinking heaps, but once Pharaoh has relief he hardens his heart and goes back on his word.

Gnats from the dust (vv. 16-19)

With no warning this time, the dust turns into tiny biting insects; the Hebrew word is uncertain and may mean gnats, lice or mosquitoes. The magicians cannot copy it and admit "this is the finger of God," a power beyond their own, but Pharaoh still will not listen.

Swarms, but not in Goshen (vv. 20-24)

Moses meets Pharaoh at the river and warns of swarms; the Hebrew just says "swarm," so the exact insect is unclear. For the first time the plague spares Goshen, where the Israelites live, a sign that the Lord is acting on purpose.

Pharaoh tries to bargain (vv. 25-32)

Pharaoh offers to let them worship inside Egypt, but Moses says their animal sacrifices would offend Egyptians and could get them stoned, though scholars are unsure exactly what would offend. Pharaoh agrees to a short trip and asks for prayer, then refuses again once the flies are gone.

Key verse: Exodus 8:10

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on how to understand Pharaoh's hardened heart, whether it was mainly his own stubborn choice or something God brought about, since the book describes it both ways.

Something to think about

Why do you think promises made under pressure are so easy to drop once the pressure lifts?