King James Version

What Does Exodus 8:9 Mean?

Exodus 8:9 in the King James Version says “And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only? Glory: or, Have this honour over me, etc when: or, against when to destroy: Heb. to cut off

Exodus 8:9 · KJV


Context

7

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

8

Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.

9

And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only? Glory: or, Have this honour over me, etc when: or, against when to destroy: Heb. to cut off

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 9 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 · 17 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 17

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֹשֶׁ֣ה2 of 17

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

לְפַרְעֹה֮3 of 17

unto Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

הִתְפָּאֵ֣ר4 of 17

Glory

H6286

to gleam, i.e., (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast; also to explain (i.e., make clear) oneself; to shake a tree

עָלַי֒5 of 17
H5921

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

לְמָתַ֣י׀6 of 17

over me when

H4970

properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle prefixes), when (either relative or interrogative)

אַעְתִּ֣יר7 of 17

shall I intreat

H6279

to burn incense in worship, i.e., intercede (reciprocally, listen to prayer)

לְךָ֗8 of 17
H0
וְלַֽעֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙9 of 17

for thee and for thy servants

H5650

a servant

וּֽלְעַמְּךָ֔10 of 17

and for thy people

H5971

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

לְהַכְרִית֙11 of 17

to destroy

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

הַֽצֲפַרְדְּעִ֔ים12 of 17

the frogs

H6854

a marsh-leaper, i.e., frog

מִמְּךָ֖13 of 17
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

וּמִבָּתֶּ֑יךָ14 of 17

from thee and thy houses

H1004

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

רַ֥ק15 of 17
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

בַּיְאֹ֖ר16 of 17

in the river

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

תִּשָּׁאַֽרְנָה׃17 of 17

that they may remain

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant


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 8:9 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 8:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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