King James Version

What Does Exodus 8:5 Mean?

Exodus 8:5 in the King James Version says “And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, ...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.”

Exodus 8:5 · KJV

Context

3

And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber , and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs: kneadingtroughs: or, dough

4

And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.

5

And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.

6

And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.

7

And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.

Read Exodus 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 5 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 · 23 words
אֱמֹ֣ר1 of 23

“Say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֮2 of 23

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶל3 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁה֒4 of 23

“unto Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֱמֹ֣ר5 of 23

“Say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶֽל6 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַהֲרֹ֗ן7 of 23

“unto Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

נְטֵ֤ה8 of 23

“Stretch forth”

H5186

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

אֶת9 of 23
H853

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

יָֽדְךָ֙10 of 23

“thine hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

בְּמַטֶּ֔ךָ11 of 23

“with thy rod”

H4294

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

עַל12 of 23
H5921

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

הַ֨נְּהָרֹ֔ת13 of 23

“over the streams”

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

עַל14 of 23
H5921

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

הַיְאֹרִ֖ים15 of 23

“over the rivers”

H2975

a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m

וְעַל16 of 23
H5921

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

הָֽאֲגַמִּ֑ים17 of 23

“and over the ponds”

H98

a marsh; hence a rush (as growing in swamps); hence a stockade of reeds

וְהַ֥עַל18 of 23

“to come up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֶת19 of 23
H853

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

הַֽצְפַרְדְּעִ֖ים20 of 23

“and cause frogs”

H6854

a marsh-leaper, i.e., frog

עַל21 of 23
H5921

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

אֶ֥רֶץ22 of 23

“upon the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃23 of 23

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

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 8:5 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 8:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 7:19

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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