This devastating plague wasn't just about the sheer number of locusts, but how they acted as a complete negation of the hail's damage. Every last bit of new growth, every fruit the hail missed, was utterly consumed, leaving absolutely nothing green behind, showing a thorough and total judgment. This wasn't just destruction; it was the erasure of any hope of recovery, a chilling demonstration of God's complete power.
They covered the face of the whole land, so that the land was darkened, and they ate all the plants in the land and all the fruit of the trees that the hail had left. Not a green thing remained, neither tree nor plant of the field, through all the land of Egypt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following the devastating hail, a new plague descends upon Egypt: locusts. These swarming insects, brought by an east wind at Moses' command, completely cover the land, darkening the sun and consuming every bit of vegetation left untouched by the previous disaster. Pharaoh, witnessing this utter destruction, briefly confesses his sin and asks Moses to intercede, but once the locusts are removed by a west wind, his heart is hardened again.
Imagine a darkness so thick you can feel it, not just from the absence of light, but from the sheer, overwhelming presence of something else. This wasn't just a plague; it was a total erasure.
The plague of locusts in Exodus 10 wasn't merely an inconvenience; it was a complete annihilation of Egypt's resources. The verse emphasizes that the locusts 'covered the face of the whole land, so that the land was darkened.' This wasn't just about the insects blocking the sun; it was about their sheer multitude overwhelming the very landscape.
A Total Consumption
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Imagine a darkness that isn't just the absence of light, but a tangible, suffocating presence. This plague brought a darkness that affected more than just sight.
The description of the land being 'darkened' by the locusts goes beyond a mere visual obstruction. It speaks to a profound sense of despair and hopelessness that settled over Egypt.
A Double Darkness
This devastating plague of locusts, following the plague of hail, highlights the complete collapse of Egypt's agricultural system. It underscores how God can bring about total destruction through seemingly small creatures, specifically targeting the source of Egypt's power and sustenance.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites, after centuries of slavery in Egypt, are led out by Moses following a series of ten devastating plagues. This event marks a pivotal moment in their history, establishing them as a distinct nation under God's covenant.
c. 1446 BC
The Ten Plagues of Egypt
A series of ten catastrophic events sent by God to demonstrate His power and persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. Each plague escalated in severity, culminating in the destruction of the firstborn.
c. 1446 BC
Plague of Hail
The seventh plague, a severe hailstorm accompanied by fire, destroyed crops and livestock throughout Egypt, significantly impacting the nation's resources and Pharaoh's resolve.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Plague of Locusts
The eighth plague involved an immense swarm of locusts that consumed all remaining vegetation, leaving the land barren and plunging Egypt into further devastation. This plague directly follows the hail, consuming what was left.
c. 1446 BC
Plague of Darkness
The ninth plague, a thick, palpable darkness that covered Egypt for three days, symbolizing the spiritual blindness of the Egyptians and their resistance to God's will.
c. 1446 BC
Death of the Firstborn
The tenth and final plague, where God struck down every firstborn son in Egypt, from Pharaoh's line to the lowest servant, and the firstborn of all animals. This event finally broke Pharaoh's resistance and led to the Israelites' departure.
This passage speaks of future generations experiencing total devastation from locusts, echoing the complete destruction seen in Egypt.
Psalm 105:34This verse directly alludes to God sending locusts to consume plants and crops, highlighting the divine judgment aspect.
Joel 1:4This prophecy details different stages of locust destruction, similar to the progression of plagues in Egypt, where one devastated what the previous left behind.
Joel 2:2The description of a vast locust swarm darkening the land strongly parallels the overwhelming plague described in Exodus.
Revelation 9:3This passage in Revelation describes locusts that cause devastation to the earth, drawing a clear parallel to the destructive power of the locusts in Exodus.
clarkeExodus 10:15: "For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt."
There remained not any green thing - See Clarke's note on Exodus 10:4 .
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…
This devastating plague wasn't just about the sheer number of locusts, but how they acted as a complete negation of the hail's damage. Every last bit of new growth, every fruit the hail missed, was utterly consumed, leaving absolutely nothing green behind, showing a thorough and total judgment. This wasn't just destruction; it was the erasure of any hope of recovery, a chilling demonstration of God's complete power.
Following the devastating hail, a new plague descends upon Egypt: locusts. These swarming insects, brought by an east wind at Moses' command, completely cover the land, darkening the sun and consuming every bit of vegetation left untouched by the previous disaster. Pharaoh, witnessing this utter destruction, briefly confesses his sin and asks Moses to intercede, but once the locusts are removed by a west wind, his heart is hardened again.
Following the devastating hail, a new plague descends upon Egypt: locusts. These swarming insects, brought by an east wind at Moses' command, completely cover the land, darkening the sun and consuming every bit of vegetation left untouched by the previous disaster. Pharaoh, witnessing this utter destruction, briefly confesses his sin and asks Moses to intercede, but once the locusts are removed by a west wind, his heart is hardened again.
"They covered the face of the whole land, so that the land was darkened, and they ate all the plants in the land and all the fruit of the trees that the hail had left. Not a green thing remained, neither tree nor plant of the field, through…" — This devastating plague wasn't just about the sheer number of locusts, but how they acted as a complete negation of the hail's damage. Every last bit of new growth, every fruit the hail missed, was…
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Last reviewed October 2026
