King James Version

What Does Exodus 8:24 Mean?

Exodus 8:24 in the King James Version says “And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses, ...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Exodus 8:24 · King James Version

Context

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

25

And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.

26

And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us?

Read Exodus 8 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Verse 24 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'?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ1 of 17

“did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יְהוָה֙2 of 17

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

כֵּ֔ן3 of 17
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

וַיָּבֹא֙4 of 17

“so and there came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הֶֽעָרֹֽב׃5 of 17

“of the swarm”

H6157

a mosquito (from its swarming)

כָּבֵ֔ד6 of 17

“a grievous”

H3515

heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)

וּבֵ֣ית7 of 17

“houses”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

פַרְעֹ֖ה8 of 17

“of Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

וּבֵ֣ית9 of 17

“houses”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

עֲבָדָ֑יו10 of 17

“and into his servants”

H5650

a servant

וּבְכָל11 of 17
H3605

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

הָאָ֖רֶץ12 of 17

“and into all the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֛יִם13 of 17

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

תִּשָּׁחֵ֥ת14 of 17

“was corrupted”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

הָאָ֖רֶץ15 of 17

“and into all the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִפְּנֵ֥י16 of 17

“by reason”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הֶֽעָרֹֽב׃17 of 17

“of the swarm”

H6157

a mosquito (from its swarming)

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 8:24 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 8:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 105:31Psalms 78:45Exodus 8:21

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Exodus 8 →

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