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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 8:16 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may turn into swarms of gnats throughout the land of Egypt.'"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/8-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/02_Exo_08_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 8:16 - The Third Plague: Gnats" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then the LORD said to Moses, Tell Aaron, 'Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may turn into swarms of gnats throughout the land of Egypt.'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/8-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/8-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/8-15.htm" title="Exodus 8:15">◄</a> Exodus 8:16 <a href="/exodus/8-17.htm" title="Exodus 8:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/exodus/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/exodus/8.htm">New International Version</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, &#8220Tell Aaron, &#8216Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the ground,&#8217 and throughout the land of Egypt the dust will become gnats.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/exodus/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> So the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Raise your staff and strike the ground. The dust will turn into swarms of gnats throughout the land of Egypt.’” <a href="/esv/exodus/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats in all the land of Egypt.’” <a href="/bsb/exodus/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may turn into swarms of gnats throughout the land of Egypt.’” <a href="/kjv/exodus/8.htm">King James Bible</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. <a href="/nkjv/exodus/8.htm">New King James Version</a> So the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the land, so that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.’ ” <a href="/nasb_/exodus/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Extend your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may turn into gnats through all the land of Egypt.’” <a href="/nasb/exodus/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, &#8220Say to Aaron, &#8216Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become gnats through all the land of Egypt.&#8217&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/exodus/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become gnats through all the land of Egypt.’” <a href="/lsb/exodus/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become gnats through all the land of Egypt.’” <a href="/amp/exodus/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the ground, and it will become [biting] gnats (lice) throughout the land of Egypt.’” <a href="/csb/exodus/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron: Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the land, and it will become gnats throughout the land of Egypt.” <a href="/hcsb/exodus/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, &#8220Tell Aaron: Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, and it will become gnats throughout the land of Egypt.&#8221 <a href="/asv/exodus/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Jehovah said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the earth, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. <a href="/cev/exodus/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The LORD said to Moses, "Command Aaron to strike the ground with his walking stick, and everywhere in Egypt the dust will turn into gnats." <a href="/erv/exodus/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the earth, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. <a href="/gwt/exodus/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Hold out your staff and strike the dust on the ground. All over Egypt the dust will turn into gnats.'" <a href="/gnt/exodus/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron to strike the ground with his stick, and all over the land of Egypt the dust will change into gnats." <a href="/isv/exodus/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then the LORD told Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Stretch out your staff, strike the dust of the ground, and the dust will become gnats throughout the land of Egypt.'" <a href="/msb/exodus/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, ?Tell Aaron, ?Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may turn into swarms of gnats throughout the land of Egypt.?? <a href="/net/exodus/8.htm">NET Bible</a> The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Extend your staff and strike the dust of the ground, and it will become gnats throughout all the land of Egypt.'" <a href="/nheb/exodus/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Stretch out your hand with your rod, and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.'" <a href="/wbt/exodus/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the LORD said to Moses, Say to Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. <a href="/web/exodus/8.htm">World English Bible</a> Yahweh said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.’” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/exodus/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And YHWH says to Moses, “Say to Aaron, Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the land, and it has become gnats in all the land of Egypt.” <a href="/ylt/exodus/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, and it hath become gnats in all the land of Egypt.' <a href="/slt/exodus/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> <RF q=*>The original Julia E. Smith Bible records the following as a verse reference for <a href=#>Exodus 8:12</a><Rf>And the sacred scribes will do so with their enchantments to bring forth gnats, and they will not be able: and there will be gnats upon man and upon quadrupeds.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/exodus/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the Lord said to Moses: Say to Aaron, Stretch forth thy rod, and strike the dust of the earth: and may there be sciniphs in all the land of Egypt. <a href="/cpdv/exodus/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And the Lord said to Moses: “Say to Aaron: ‘Extend your staff and strike the dust of the earth. And let there be stinging insects throughout the entire the land of Egypt.’ ” <a href="/nabre/exodus/8.htm">New American Bible</a> Thereupon the LORD spoke to Moses: Speak to Aaron: Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, and it will turn into gnats throughout the land of Egypt. <a href="/nrsvce/exodus/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats throughout the whole land of Egypt.’”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/exodus/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the LORD said to Moses, Say to Aaron, Lift up your staff and smite the dust of the earth, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. <a href="/hpbt/exodus/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And LORD JEHOVAH said to Moshe, “Say to Aaron, “Lift your staff and strike the dust of the ground, and lice will be in all the land of Egypt.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/exodus/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Say unto Aaron: Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the earth, that it may become gnats throughout all the land of Egypt.' <a href="/sep/exodus/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the Lord said to Moses, Say to Aaron, Stretch forth thy rod with thy hand and smite the dust of the earth; and there shall be lice both upon man, and upon quadrupeds, and in all the land of Egypt. <a href="/parallel/exodus/8-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=1760" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/exodus/8.htm">The Third Plague: Gnats</a> 16<a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">Then the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">Moses,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ĕ·mōr (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">“Tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/175.htm" title="175: ’a·hă·rōn (N-proper-ms) -- An elder brother of Moses. Of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses.">Aaron,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5186.htm" title="5186: nə·ṭêh (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away; used in a great variety of application.">‘Stretch out</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4294.htm" title="4294: maṭ·ṭə·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Or mattah; from natah; a branch; figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising, ruling, throwing, or walking.">your staff</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: wə·haḵ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-Imp-ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">and strike</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: ‘ă·p̄ar (N-msc) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">the dust</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">of the earth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">that it may turn into</a> <a href="/hebrew/3654.htm" title="3654: lə·ḵin·nim (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- Gnat, gnats, a gnat swarm. From kanan in the sense of fastening; a gnat (and irreg. In Exod. 8:17, Exod. 8:18; Heb. 13:14).">swarms of gnats</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵāl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">throughout</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ’e·reṣ (N-fsc) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: miṣ·rā·yim (N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">of Egypt.’”</a> 17This they did, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, gnats came upon man and beast. All the dust of the earth turned into gnats throughout the land of Egypt.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/psalms/105-31.htm">Psalm 105:31</a> He spoke, and insects swarmed—gnats throughout their country. <a href="/revelation/16-2.htm">Revelation 16:2</a> So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and loathsome, malignant sores broke out on those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. <a href="/matthew/12-28.htm">Matthew 12:28</a> But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. <a href="/luke/11-20.htm">Luke 11:20</a> But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. <a href="/2_timothy/3-8.htm">2 Timothy 3:8</a> Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith. <a href="/acts/13-8.htm">Acts 13:8-11</a> But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. / Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas / and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord? ... <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-9.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:9</a> The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, <a href="/romans/9-17.htm">Romans 9:17</a> For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” <a href="/1_samuel/6-5.htm">1 Samuel 6:5</a> Make images of your tumors and of the rats that are ravaging the land. Give glory to the God of Israel, and perhaps He will lift His hand from you and your gods and your land. <a href="/deuteronomy/7-19.htm">Deuteronomy 7:19</a> the great trials that you saw, the signs and wonders, and the mighty hand and outstretched arm by which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear. <a href="/psalms/78-45.htm">Psalm 78:45</a> He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them. <a href="/isaiah/51-9.htm">Isaiah 51:9</a> Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon? <a href="/jeremiah/32-20.htm">Jeremiah 32:20-21</a> You performed signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and You do so to this very day, both in Israel and among all mankind. And You have made a name for Yourself, as is the case to this day. / You brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and with great terror. <a href="/nehemiah/9-10.htm">Nehemiah 9:10</a> You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day. <a href="/joel/1-4.htm">Joel 1:4</a> What the devouring locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; what the swarming locust has left, the young locust has eaten; and what the young locust has left, the destroying locust has eaten.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the LORD said to Moses, Say to Aaron, Stretch out your rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.stretch<a href="/exodus/8-5.htm">Exodus 8:5,17</a> 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… lice.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/8-15.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/genesis/28-14.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/exodus/7-12.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/exodus/8-7.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/psalms/105-31.htm">Gnats</a> <a href="/exodus/4-3.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/james/5-2.htm">Insects</a> <a href="/psalms/105-31.htm">Lice</a> <a href="/exodus/8-15.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/8-5.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/exodus/8-2.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/exodus/8-5.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/exodus/8-5.htm">Stretch</a> <a href="/exodus/8-6.htm">Stretched</a> <a href="/exodus/7-17.htm">Strike</a> <a href="/exodus/7-21.htm">Throughout</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/8-17.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/exodus/8-17.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/exodus/8-17.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/exodus/8-17.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/exodus/8-17.htm">Gnats</a> <a href="/exodus/8-17.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/exodus/8-18.htm">Insects</a> <a href="/exodus/8-17.htm">Lice</a> <a href="/exodus/8-20.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/8-17.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/exodus/9-15.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/exodus/8-17.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/exodus/9-15.htm">Stretch</a> <a href="/exodus/8-17.htm">Stretched</a> <a href="/exodus/12-7.htm">Strike</a> <a href="/exodus/8-17.htm">Throughout</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 8</div>1. <a href="/exodus/8-1.htm">Frogs are sent</a> 8. <a href="/exodus/8-8.htm">Pharaoh complains to Moses, who by prayer removes them</a> 16. <a href="/exodus/8-16.htm">The dust is turned into lice, which the magicians could not do</a> 20. <a href="/exodus/8-20.htm">The plague of flies</a> 25. <a href="/exodus/8-25.htm">Pharaoh inclines to let the people go, but yet is hardened</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then the LORD said to Moses This phrase indicates direct divine communication, emphasizing the authority and sovereignty of God. It reflects the ongoing relationship between God and Moses, who serves as a mediator between God and the Israelites. This divine instruction is part of the larger narrative of the plagues, which demonstrate God's power over the Egyptian gods and Pharaoh.Tell Aaron Aaron, Moses' brother, acts as his spokesperson. This highlights the collaborative leadership between Moses and Aaron, as well as Aaron's role as a priestly figure. It also underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands, as Aaron is instructed to carry out a specific task.‘Stretch out your staff The staff is a symbol of divine authority and power. It is used by Moses and Aaron to perform miracles and signs, serving as a tangible representation of God's intervention. The staff's use here connects to earlier events, such as when Moses' staff turned into a serpent before Pharaoh, demonstrating God's supremacy.and strike the dust of the earth The act of striking the dust signifies a transformation of the natural world, showcasing God's control over creation. Dust, a common element in the arid Egyptian landscape, is transformed into something living, illustrating the miraculous nature of the plague. This action also recalls the creation narrative, where God formed man from the dust, highlighting His creative power.that it may turn into swarms of gnats The transformation of dust into gnats represents a direct challenge to the Egyptian magicians and their inability to replicate this miracle, as noted in the subsequent verses. Gnats, small and numerous, symbolize the pervasive and inescapable nature of God's judgment. This plague disrupts daily life and religious practices, as gnats would have been considered unclean.throughout the land of Egypt The widespread nature of the plague emphasizes its severity and the comprehensive reach of God's power. It affects all of Egypt, not just isolated areas, demonstrating that no part of the land is beyond God's influence. This also serves as a warning to Pharaoh and the Egyptians of the consequences of hardening their hearts against God's commands.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The God of Israel, who is orchestrating the plagues to demonstrate His power and sovereignty over Egypt and its gods. 2. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> The prophet and leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egyptian bondage. 3. <a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a> Moses' brother and spokesperson, who acts on God's command to initiate the plague by stretching out his staff. 4. <a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a> The land where the Israelites are enslaved, and the setting for the plagues that God sends to compel Pharaoh to release His people. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_plague_of_gnats.htm">The Plague of Gnats</a> The third plague sent by God, where the dust of the earth becomes gnats, affecting the entire land of Egypt.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_creation.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Creation</a> God demonstrates His control over nature by transforming dust into gnats, reminding us of His ultimate authority over all creation. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_obedience.htm">The Power of Obedience</a> Aaron's obedience in following God's command leads to the manifestation of God's power. Our obedience to God's instructions can lead to His work being revealed in our lives. <a href="/topical/j/judgment_and_mercy.htm">Judgment and Mercy</a> The plagues serve as both judgment against Egypt and a call to repentance. In our lives, we should recognize God's discipline as an opportunity to turn back to Him. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a> The plagues represent a spiritual battle between the God of Israel and the gods of Egypt. We are reminded of the spiritual battles we face and the need to rely on God's power. <a href="/topical/t/the_hardness_of_heart.htm">The Hardness of Heart</a> Pharaoh's continued resistance despite the plagues warns us of the dangers of hardening our hearts against God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 8</a> <a href="/q/exodus_8_16-17__literal_or_embellishment.htm">Exodus 8:16–17: Does turning dust into gnats literally make sense, or is this a later embellishment? </a> <a href="/q/key_events_in_aaron's_life.htm">What were the key events in Aaron's life?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_ten_plagues_in_the_bible.htm">What were the Ten Plagues of Egypt in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_humble_yourself_before_god.htm">What is the summary of the Exodus from Egypt?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>THE THIRD PLAGUE. (16, 17)It is disputed whether this plague was one of lice or of mosquitoes. Josephus and the Jewish commentators generally take the former view, while the latter is supported by the LXX. and Vulgate, by the authorities of Philo, Artapanus, Origen, and St. Augustine in ancient, and by those of Rosenmller, Michaelis, ?dmann, Gesenius, Keil, and Kalisch in modern times. The word used (kinnim) seems connected with the Greek ????, or ?????, and is reasonably regarded as formed by onomatopoeia, from the sharp tingling sound given out by the insect when on the wing.[58] The trouble caused to the Egyptians of the Delta by mosquitoes is noticed by Herodotus (ii. 95); while moderns, as Forskal (Descript. Anim. p. 85), declare that they amount to an absolute pest at certain seasons. They are most troublesome towards October, and are said to attack not only the exposed parts of the skin, but especially the ears, the nostrils, and the eyes, where they do great damage. Some have thought that mosquitoes do not molest cattle (<a href="/exodus/8-17.htm" title="And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.">Exodus 8:17</a>); but Kalisch says, "They molest especially beasts, as oxen and horses, flying into their eyes and nostrils, driving them to madness and fury, and sometimes even torturing them to death."[58] In Egyptian the word for "mosquito" is Khnemms, (Brugsch, Diet. Hierogl. p. 1103).It is to be noticed that the third plague, whatever it was, came without warning. It was God's judgment on Pharaoh for hardening his heart and breaking his promise (<a href="/exodus/8-15.htm" title="But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and listened not to them; as the LORD had said.">Exodus 8:15</a>); and he was not given the option of avoiding it by submission to God's will.(16) Smite the dust of the land.--Dust prevails in Egypt to an extent that is highly inconvenient. "We travelled to Ashmim." says one writer, "through clouds of dust, raised by a high wind, which intercepted our view as much as if we had been travelling in a fog." "There is one great source of discomfort," says another, "arising from the dryness of the atmosphere, namely, an excessive quantity of dust." When "all the dust of the land became mosquitoes" (<a href="/exodus/8-17.htm" title="And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.">Exodus 8:17</a>), the plague must indeed have been great.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 16-19. - THE THIRD PLAGUE. The breach of promise on the part of Pharaoh (ver. 15), was punished by the third plague, which was inflicted without being announced. It is disputed among the best critics, whether the plague was really one of "lice"(as given in the Authorised Version) or of mosquitoes. To the present writer the arguments in favour of mosquitoes seem to preponderate; and he believes the kinnim to represent those subtle pests. Such is the view of the LXX. translators, of Philo, Artapanus, Origen, Rosenmuller, Gesenins, Geddes, Boothroyd, Keil, and Kalisch. Mosquitoes are, under ordinary circumstances, a terrible annoyance in Egypt, when the inundation is going off, especially about October. Their power to annoy is witnessed to in ancient times by Herodotus (2:95), Philo (Vit. Mos. 2. p. 97), and St. Augustine; in modern by Wilkinson and others. That Aaron was ordered to produce them out of "the dust of the land," whereas mosquitoes come from larvae deposited in stagnant waters (Cook), is only a proof that God can transform any kind of matter into any other. He who made man of the dust of the ground (<a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a>) could with still greater ease have transformed that dust into gnats. It is undoubtedly remarkable that the magi-clans could not produce the kinnim; but this disability does not help us to determine what exactly the kinnim were. Conceivably, the magicians were tired of the contest, and feeling that they would ultimately be worsted in it, . withdrew before the circumstances compelled them to withdraw. Verse 16. - Lice. Kinnim - the word is only found here and in the Psalms which celebrate the Exodus (<a href="/psalms/78-46.htm">Psalm 78:46</a>; <a href="/psalms/105-31.htm">Psalm 105:31</a>). It was understood as "lice"by Josephus, the Talmudical writers, Bochart, Pool, and our translators in the reign of James I. But the great weight of authority is in favour of the rendering "gnats" or "mosquitoes." See the preceding paragraph. It must also be berne in mind that the nearest Egyptian equivalent, khennems, has the signification of mosquito (Speaker's Commentary, vol. 1. p. 490). <a href="/commentaries/exodus/8-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then the LORD יְהוָה֮ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel said וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to Moses, מֹשֶׁה֒ (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver “Tell אֱמֹר֙ (’ĕ·mōr) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say Aaron, אַהֲרֹ֔ן (’a·hă·rōn) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_175.htm">Strong's 175: </a> Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses ‘Stretch out נְטֵ֣ה (nə·ṭêh) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5186.htm">Strong's 5186: </a> To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend your staff מַטְּךָ֔ (maṭ·ṭə·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4294.htm">Strong's 4294: </a> A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe and strike וְהַ֖ךְ (wə·haḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> To strike the dust עֲפַ֣ר (‘ă·p̄ar) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> Dust, clay, earth, mud of the earth, הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land that it may turn into וְהָיָ֥ה (wə·hā·yāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be swarms of gnats לְכִנִּ֖ם (lə·ḵin·nim) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3654.htm">Strong's 3654: </a> Gnat, gnats, a gnat swarm throughout בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the land אֶ֥רֶץ (’e·reṣ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land of Egypt.’” מִצְרָֽיִם׃ (miṣ·rā·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/8-16.htm">Exodus 8:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/exodus/8-16.htm">Exodus 8:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/exodus/8-16.htm">Exodus 8:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/exodus/8-16.htm">Exodus 8:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/exodus/8-16.htm">Exodus 8:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/8-16.htm">Exodus 8:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/8-16.htm">Exodus 8:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/8-16.htm">Exodus 8:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/8-16.htm">Exodus 8:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/exodus/8-16.htm">Exodus 8:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/exodus/8-16.htm">OT Law: Exodus 8:16 Yahweh said to Moses Tell Aaron 'Stretch (Exo. 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