King James Version

What Does Exodus 10:13 Mean?

Exodus 10:13 in the King James Version says “And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.

Exodus 10:13 · KJV


Context

11

Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.

12

And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left.

13

And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.

14

And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.

15

For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 13 describes the locust plague, targeting Osiris (agriculture god) and Isis (grain goddess). Moses warns locusts will 'cover the face of the earth' and devour everything the hail left. Pharaoh's servants beg him to relent, recognizing Egypt's destruction.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Osiris ruled agriculture and resurrection, while Isis protected crops. Locusts were ancient Near Eastern terror, but this swarm's density exceeded natural plague. The total devastation left Egypt economically ruined.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God demonstrate His power through natural means taken to supernatural extremes?
  2. What does Pharaoh's servants' fear teach about recognizing God's hand in judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיֵּ֨ט1 of 24

stretched forth

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

מֹשֶׁ֣ה2 of 24

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶת3 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מַטֵּהוּ֮4 of 24

his rod

H4294

a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),

עַל5 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בָּאָ֔רֶץ6 of 24

over the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַיִם֒7 of 24

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וַֽיהוָ֗ה8 of 24

and the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

נִהַ֤ג9 of 24

brought

H5090

to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh

וְר֙וּחַ֙10 of 24

wind

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

הַקָּדִ֔ים11 of 24

an east

H6921

the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)

בָּאָ֔רֶץ12 of 24

over the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כָּל13 of 24
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַיּ֥וֹם14 of 24

all that day

H3117

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

הַה֖וּא15 of 24
H1931

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

וְכָל16 of 24
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַלָּ֑יְלָה17 of 24

and all that night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

הַבֹּ֣קֶר18 of 24

and when it was morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

הָיָ֔ה19 of 24
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

וְר֙וּחַ֙20 of 24

wind

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

הַקָּדִ֔ים21 of 24

an east

H6921

the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)

נָשָׂ֖א22 of 24

brought

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת23 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָֽאַרְבֶּֽה׃24 of 24

the locusts

H697

a locust (from its rapid increase)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 10:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 10:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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