King James Version

What Does Exodus 8:12 Mean?

Exodus 8:12 in the King James Version says “And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought again... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh.

Exodus 8:12 · KJV


Context

10

And 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. To morrow: or, Against to morrow

11

And the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; they shall remain in the river only.

12

And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh.

13

And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields.

14

And they gathered them together upon heaps: and the land stank.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 12 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God expose the impotence of idols you've trusted?
  2. What happens when blessings become curses through misplaced worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיֵּצֵ֥א1 of 15

went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מֹשֶׁה֙2 of 15

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וְאַֽהֲרֹ֖ן3 of 15

and Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

מֵעִ֣ם4 of 15
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

לְפַרְעֹֽה׃5 of 15

against Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

וַיִּצְעַ֤ק6 of 15

cried

H6817

to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)

מֹשֶׁה֙7 of 15

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶל8 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֔ה9 of 15

unto the LORD

H3068

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

עַל10 of 15
H5921

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

דְּבַ֥ר11 of 15

because of

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַֽצְפַרְדְּעִ֖ים12 of 15

the frogs

H6854

a marsh-leaper, i.e., frog

אֲשֶׁר13 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שָׂ֥ם14 of 15

which he had brought

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לְפַרְעֹֽה׃15 of 15

against Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings


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 8:12 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 8:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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