The locusts came up over all the land of Egypt and settled on the whole country of Egypt, such a dense swarm of locusts as had never been before, nor ever will be again.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text emphasizes that this swarm of locusts was unprecedented in its scale, so vast that it "covered the face of the whole earth" and "darkened" the land, a devastation so unique that the text declares nothing like it had ever been seen before nor ever would be again. This extraordinary scope highlights not just the destructive power of the plague, but the absolute sovereignty of God in orchestrating even the most devastating natural phenomena to accomplish His purposes.
The locusts came up over all the land of Egypt and settled on the whole country of Egypt, such a dense swarm of locusts as had never been before, nor ever will be again.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage describes the eighth plague sent upon Egypt: a devastating swarm of locusts. Following the plague of hail, Moses warns Pharaoh that locusts will consume everything green that the hail left behind. The locusts then descend, blanketing the land in such immense numbers and causing such destruction that Pharaoh, terrified, calls for Moses and begs him to intercede with God to remove the plague, even briefly admitting his sin.
This plague of locusts wasn't just bad; it was historically, unprecedentedly devastating. What does this extreme language tell us about God's power and purpose?
The verse emphasizes the unique and unparalleled nature of this plague. The phrase "such a dense swarm of locusts as had never been before, nor ever will be again" isn't just hyperbole; it highlights God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His ability to orchestrate events beyond human experience.
Unmatched Scale and Intensity
This wasn't a typical swarm. It covered the entire land, darkened the sky, and consumed everything green left after the hail. This thoroughness shows that no aspect of Egypt's life or livelihood was beyond God's reach.
A Divine Signature
By making this plague utterly unique, God was leaving an unmistakable sign. It wasn't just a natural disaster; it was a divine declaration. This unmatched intensity was intended to make the Egyptians, and Pharaoh especially, confront the reality of the God of Israel's power, a power far exceeding their own gods or natural forces.
How did these locusts appear so suddenly and in such numbers? The text points to a deliberate, supernatural cause.
The appearance of this massive swarm of locusts wasn't a random, natural occurrence. The text makes it clear that God was the direct agent behind this plague.
Divine Command and Execution
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God tells Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts" (Exodus 10:12). Moses obeys, and God "brought an east wind upon the land all that day and all that night; and when morning came, the east wind brought the locusts" (Exodus 10:13).
Beyond Natural Explanation
The sheer scale and speed of the locusts' arrival, driven by a specific wind, defies natural explanation. Commentaries note that the east wind is typically not associated with such devastating swarms. This points to God harnessing natural elements (the wind) to execute a supernatural judgment. The purpose was to demonstrate His absolute control over the elements and His power to bring about destruction on a scale never before witnessed.
Pharaoh's reaction to this devastating plague is swift, but is it sincere? What does his response reveal about his hardened heart?
The sheer devastation of the locust plague finally breaks through Pharaoh's resistance, leading him to confess his sin and plead for relief. However, his repentance is superficial and self-serving.
Hasty Confession, Fleeting Repentance
"Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste, and said, 'I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you'" (Exodus 10:16). This haste stems from panic and the overwhelming destruction, not genuine godly sorrow. His plea is only for the immediate removal of the plague: "forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the Lord your God, that he may take away from me this death only" (Exodus 10:17).
The Pattern of Hardening
Despite this confession, Pharaoh's heart remains unyieldingly set against letting Israel go. The text states, "But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go" (Exodus 10:20). This isn't an arbitrary hardening; it's God responding to Pharaoh's persistent rebellion by allowing his already resistant heart to remain so. Pharaoh's 'repentance' was a temporary stopgap, not a transformation, proving that the plague, while terrible, had not fundamentally changed his will.
This devastating plague of locusts, described as unlike any before or after, highlights the total destruction God brought upon Egypt to force Pharaoh's hand. It wasn't just a natural disaster; it was a divinely orchestrated act demonstrating God's power over creation itself to bring about His redemptive plan for Israel.
~1440 BC
Israel's Enslavement in Egypt
The Israelites, descendants of Jacob, had lived in Egypt for generations and grown into a large population. However, a new Pharaoh, fearful of their numbers, began to oppress them with harsh labor and cruel decrees.
~1440 BC
Moses's Call and Return to Egypt
God appeared to Moses in a burning bush, commissioning him to return to Egypt and demand Pharaoh's release of the Israelites. Moses, with his brother Aaron, confronted Pharaoh, initiating a series of divine plagues to demonstrate God's power.
~1440 BC
The First Seven Plagues of Egypt
God sent a series of devastating plagues upon Egypt, including turning the Nile to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock disease, and boils. Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, and he refused to let the Israelites go.
~1440 BC
Plague of Hail
A severe hailstorm destroyed much of Egypt's remaining crops and livestock that had survived previous plagues. Pharaoh briefly relented, admitting sin, but his heart was hardened again by God after the plague subsided.
~1440 BC— this verse
Plague of Locusts
An unprecedented swarm of locusts consumed all remaining vegetation in Egypt, completing the destruction of the land's food supply. This plague was so severe and widespread that it had never been seen before and would never be seen again.
~1440 BC
Plague of Darkness
A thick, palpable darkness covered the land of Egypt for three days, a terrifying sign for the Egyptians while the Israelites in Goshen had light. Pharaoh, desperate, finally agreed to let the people go, but with conditions.
~1440 BC
Pharaoh's Final Refusal and Israel's Exodus
Despite his agreement, Pharaoh's heart was hardened once more, and he refused to let the Israelites leave. This led to the tenth and final plague: the death of the firstborn sons of Egypt.
This passage describes a devastating locust plague in Judah, drawing a parallel to the unique and destructive swarm that afflicted Egypt in Exodus.
Revelation 9:3This verse in Revelation describes locust-like creatures released from the abyss, highlighting the terrifying and unnatural nature of such swarms as apocalyptic judgments.
Psalm 78:46This psalm recounts God's judgment on Egypt, explicitly mentioning the destruction of crops by locusts, reinforcing the theme of divine retribution through natural disasters.
Exodus 10:15This verse immediately follows Exodus 10:14, detailing the complete devastation caused by the locusts, emphasizing the sheer magnitude and destructive power of the plague described.
Exodus 11:7This verse highlights the stark contrast between the suffering of Egypt and the protection of Israel during the plagues, underscoring that even in widespread devastation, God distinguishes His people.
calvinExodus 10:12-20: "And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left."
And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left.
Tunc dixit Jehova Mosi, Extende manum tuam super terram AEgyp…
gillExodus 10:14: "And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such."
And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt,.... Being raised up by the wind in the places where they were generated, they flew and spread themselves all over the land, being in a wonderful manner produced and multiplied by the power of God: and rested in all the coasts of Egyp…
The text emphasizes that this swarm of locusts was unprecedented in its scale, so vast that it "covered the face of the whole earth" and "darkened" the land, a devastation so unique that the text declares nothing like it had ever been seen before nor ever would be again. This extraordinary scope highlights not just the destructive power of the plague, but the absolute sovereignty of God in orchestrating even the most devastating natural phenomena to accomplish His purposes.
This passage describes the eighth plague sent upon Egypt: a devastating swarm of locusts. Following the plague of hail, Moses warns Pharaoh that locusts will consume everything green that the hail left behind. The locusts then descend, blanketing the land in such immense numbers and causing such destruction that Pharaoh, terrified, calls for Moses and begs him to intercede with God to remove the plague, even briefly admitting his sin.
This passage describes the eighth plague sent upon Egypt: a devastating swarm of locusts. Following the plague of hail, Moses warns Pharaoh that locusts will consume everything green that the hail left behind. The locusts then descend, blanketing the land in such immense numbers and causing such destruction that Pharaoh, terrified, calls for Moses and begs him to intercede with God to remove the plague, even briefly admitting his sin.
"The locusts came up over all the land of Egypt and settled on the whole country of Egypt, such a dense swarm of locusts as had never been before, nor ever will be again." — The text emphasizes that this swarm of locusts was unprecedented in its scale, so vast that it "covered the face of the whole earth" and "darkened" the land, a devastation so unique that the text dec…
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Last reviewed October 2026