King James Version

What Does Exodus 8:22 Mean?

Exodus 8:22 in the King James Version says “And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to th... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.

Exodus 8:22 · KJV


Context

20

And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

21

Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. swarms: or, a mixture of noisome beasts, etc

22

And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.

23

And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be. a division: Heb. a redemption to morrow: or, by to morrow

24

And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies. corrupted: or, destroyed


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 22 describes the plague of flies (עָרֹב, arov—swarms), with crucial distinction: Goshen is protected. God says 'I will sever... the land of Goshen' (v.22), demonstrating selective judgment. This plague may target Khepri, scarab beetle god representing resurrection and transformation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Khepri, the scarab-headed god, symbolized the rising sun and transformation. The distinction between Egypt and Goshen shows this is not natural disaster but divine judgment. God's protection of His people proves His sovereignty.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's protection of His people encourage you in judgment?
  2. What does the Egypt-Goshen distinction teach about being 'in the world but not of it'?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְהִפְלֵיתִי֩1 of 21

And I will sever

H6395

to distinguish (literally or figuratively)

בַיּ֨וֹם2 of 21

in 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

הַה֜וּא3 of 21
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

אֶת4 of 21
H853

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

הָאָֽרֶץ׃5 of 21

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

גֹּ֗שֶׁן6 of 21

of Goshen

H1657

goshen, the residence of the israelites in egypt; also a place in palestine

אֲשֶׁ֤ר7 of 21
H834

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

עַמִּי֙8 of 21

in which my people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

עֹמֵ֣ד9 of 21

dwell

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

עָלֶ֔יהָ10 of 21
H5921

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

לְבִלְתִּ֥י11 of 21

that no

H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

הֱיֽוֹת12 of 21

of flies shall be

H1961

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

שָׁ֖ם13 of 21
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

עָרֹ֑ב14 of 21

swarms

H6157

a mosquito (from its swarming)

לְמַ֣עַן15 of 21

there to the end

H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

תֵּדַ֔ע16 of 21

thou mayest know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּ֛י17 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֥י18 of 21
H589

i

יְהוָ֖ה19 of 21

that I am the LORD

H3068

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

בְּקֶ֥רֶב20 of 21

in the midst

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

הָאָֽרֶץ׃21 of 21

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


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 8:22 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 8:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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