The Ten Plagues
God sends ten devastating plagues upon Egypt—blood, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock death, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and death of firstborn.
Exodus 7:14-25, Exodus 8:1-32, Exodus 9:1-35, Exodus 10:1-29, Exodus 11:1-10
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The Story
Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh: 'Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Let my people go.' Pharaoh's answer: 'Who is the Lord, that I should obey him? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.'
So began the contest between the God of Israel and the gods of Egypt. Each plague struck at a specific Egyptian deity, proving the Lord's supremacy.
The first plague turned the Nile to blood—an attack on Hapi, the god of the Nile. Fish died, the river stank, and Egyptians could not drink. Pharaoh's magicians copied the sign, and Pharaoh hardened his heart.
Frogs covered the land—a mockery of Heqet, the frog goddess of fertility. They were in beds, ovens, everywhere. Pharaoh begged Moses to pray, promising to let Israel go. But when the frogs died, he hardened his heart again.
Gnats came without warning—something the magicians could not replicate. 'This is the finger of God,' they said. But Pharaoh's heart remained hard.
Swarms of flies filled Egypt, but not Goshen where Israel lived. God was making a distinction between His people and Egypt.
The livestock died—a blow to Apis, the bull god, and Hathor, the cow goddess. Yet Pharaoh would not relent.
Boils broke out on man and beast. The magicians could not even stand before Moses.
Hail destroyed crops and killed anyone caught outside. Some Egyptians heeded Moses' warning; others did not.
Locusts devoured everything the hail had left. 'I have sinned!' Pharaoh cried, but his repentance was false.
Darkness covered Egypt for three days—so thick it could be felt. Ra, the sun god, was powerless. But the Israelites had light.
Still Pharaoh refused. One final plague remained—the most terrible of all.
Ten Terrible Troubles
Kids Version
Moses went to Pharaoh. 'God says: Let my people go!'
Pharaoh laughed. 'No! I don't know your God!'
So God sent ten plagues—terrible troubles—to show He was the true God.
PLAGUE 1: The river turned to BLOOD! Fish died. It smelled awful. No one could drink the water. But Pharaoh said NO.
PLAGUE 2: FROGS everywhere! In beds, in ovens, hopping all over! Pharaoh said he'd let them go if Moses stopped the frogs. But when the frogs died, Pharaoh said NO.
PLAGUE 3: Tiny GNATS covered everything—people, animals, everywhere! Even Pharaoh's magicians said, 'This is God's power!' But Pharaoh said NO.
PLAGUE 4: FLIES buzzed everywhere in Egypt—but NOT where the Hebrew people lived! Pharaoh still said NO.
PLAGUE 5: All the Egyptian animals got sick and DIED. But the Hebrew animals were fine. Pharaoh said NO.
PLAGUE 6: Painful SORES broke out on everyone in Egypt. So itchy and ouchy! Pharaoh said NO.
PLAGUE 7: HAIL crashed down from the sky! Thunder boomed! Some people listened to Moses' warning and stayed inside. Others didn't. Pharaoh said NO.
PLAGUE 8: LOCUSTS ate every plant left after the hail. Everything green was gone! Pharaoh said NO.
PLAGUE 9: DARKNESS covered Egypt for three days. It was so dark nobody could see anything! But the Hebrews had light. Pharaoh STILL said NO.
Nine times God showed His power. Nine times Pharaoh's heart stayed hard. One more plague would come—the worst one yet.
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Scripture — Exodus 7:14-25 (KJV)
14And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.
15Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.
16And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.
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.
18And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river.
19And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone. pools: Heb. gathering of their waters
20And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
21And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
22And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.
23And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.
24And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
25And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river.
Memory Verse
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.”
— Exodus 7:14 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Ten Plagues” in the Bible?
God sends ten devastating plagues upon Egypt—blood, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock death, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and death of firstborn. This story is found in Exodus 7:14-25, Exodus 8:1-32, Exodus 9:1-35, Exodus 10:1-29, Exodus 11:1-10.
Where is “The Ten Plagues” found in the Bible?
“The Ten Plagues” is found in Exodus 7:14-25, Exodus 8:1-32, Exodus 9:1-35, Exodus 10:1-29, Exodus 11:1-10, in the book of Exodus.
What can children learn from “The Ten Plagues”?
This story teaches children about God's power, Judgment on false gods, Pharaoh's hardened heart. God sent ten big troubles to Egypt to show His power: water turned to blood, frogs everywhere, bugs, sick animals, sores, hail, locusts eating crops, and deep darkness. Each time Pharaoh said no!