Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.
English Standard Version (ESV)
When the magicians confess, "This is the finger of God," they aren't just admitting defeat; they're acknowledging a power above their own magical arts. This confession highlights how the true power of God exposes the limitations of even the most impressive human or spiritual deception, making Pharaoh's continued stubbornness all the more defiant.
Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The magicians, who had previously mimicked the plagues of frogs with their enchantments, now find themselves utterly powerless against the plague of gnats. Their admission, "This is the finger of God," marks a stunning acknowledgment of a divine power far beyond their own skill. Pharaoh, however, remains unmoved and unyielding, his heart continuing to be hardened against Moses' demands, just as God had foretold.
Imagine being the best in your field, only to be utterly defeated by something small and seemingly insignificant. That's exactly what happened to Pharaoh's magicians.
The third plague, gnats (or lice, as some translations say), was a turning point.
Acknowledging the Divine
For the first time, Pharaoh's magicians, who had previously mimicked the plagues with their own magic, were completely stumped. They couldn't replicate this plague, nor could they remove it. Their honest admission to Pharaoh was profound: “This is the finger of God.”
The 'Finger of God'
This phrase, "finger of God," wasn't just a casual observation. It was a recognition that the power at play was beyond human skill, magic, or even demonic influence. It was a direct sign of God's sovereign might. Even those who served other powers had to acknowledge that a higher power was at work.
The Purpose
God allowed the magicians to perform wonders initially, perhaps to show His power even through the limitations of their 'gifts.' But when their art failed completely, it exposed their limitations and, more importantly, highlighted God's absolute control.
What happens when undeniable evidence of God's power meets a stubborn will? The result is often a deeper resistance, not repentance.
The magicians' confession should have been a wake-up call for Pharaoh. However, the text immediately pivots to his reaction.
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Beyond Magic's Reach
Pharaoh's magicians admitted defeat, acknowledging the divine hand behind the plague. This should have been enough to convince Pharaoh that his magicians were outmatched and that Moses and Aaron served the true God.
The Willful Obstinacy
But Pharaoh's heart remained hardened. The text states, “he would not listen to them.” This wasn't a passive inability to believe; it was an active, stubborn refusal to yield. His pride, his political agenda, and his deeply ingrained superstitions kept him from accepting the truth, even when his own experts presented it.
God's Foreknowledge
The verse concludes with a crucial reminder: “as the LORD had said.” This wasn't a surprise to God. He knew Pharaoh's heart would remain hard, demonstrating that human choices, even in the face of overwhelming divine power, play a significant role in our response to God.
Understand the original words
etzba Elohim · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A metaphor for the immediate, creative, and irresistible power of God; it signifies that the act performed is directly from the hand of the Almighty, requiring no intermediary.
lebh · Hebrew Noun
The central seat of human decision-making, emotion, and will; to have one’s heart hardened represents a persistent, willful defiance against God's revelation.
This verse marks a critical turning point where Pharaoh's own magicians acknowledge the supernatural power at work, yet Pharaoh's hardened heart prevents him from yielding, even when his magical advisors are stumped.
c. 15th-13th century BC
Israelites in Egyptian Slavery
The Israelites, after prospering in Egypt, were reduced to brutal slavery by a new dynasty of Pharaohs who feared their growing population.
c. 1446 BC
Moses Commissioned by God
God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and commissioned him to return to Egypt to demand the release of His people from Pharaoh.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
The First Four Plagues
God sent the first four plagues upon Egypt: water to blood, frogs, gnats (lice), and flies. These plagues progressively afflicted Egypt and demonstrated God's power.
c. 1446 BC
Magicians Fail to Replicate Gnats
The Egyptian magicians could replicate the first two plagues (water to blood, frogs) but were unable to produce gnats (lice), admitting, 'This is the finger of God.'
c. 1446 BC
Pharaoh's Heart Hardens
Despite the escalating plagues and his own magicians' admission of divine power, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, preventing him from letting the Israelites go.
c. 1446 BC
Subsequent Plagues Unleashed
Following Pharaoh's continued refusal, God sent further plagues upon Egypt, including pestilence, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and finally, the death of the firstborn.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus
After the tenth plague, Pharaoh finally relented and allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt, marking their miraculous exodus from slavery.
This passage directly references the 'finger of God' used in Exodus, linking Jesus' exorcisms to the power demonstrated in the plagues, showing God's authority over evil.
John 10:25Jesus tells the Jewish leaders that if they don't believe him, they should at least believe the 'works' he does, echoing the magicians' recognition of God's power in the Exodus plagues as evidence of divine authority.
Romans 9:17This verse highlights God's sovereignty over Pharaoh, stating that Pharaoh was raised up to display God's power, which directly relates to the magicians' acknowledgment of God's power in Exodus 8:19 and Pharaoh's continued resistance.
2 Timothy 3:8This verse mentions Jannes and Jambres, likely the Egyptian magicians from Exodus, who opposed Moses. It connects their resistance to a broader pattern of opposition against divine truth, showing that their inability to replicate the plague was part of a spiritual conflict.
calvinExodus 8:16-19: "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."
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.
Et fecerunt sic: et extendit Aharon manum suam cum virga sua, et percussit pulverem terrae: ut fuit in pedi…
gillExodus 8:19: "Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said."
Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, this is the finger of God,.... This is to be ascribed to a power superior to human, to a divine power; so long as they could do something similar, or impose upon the senses of men, and make them believe they did the like, they would not acknowledge divine omnipotence; but when they no longer…
When the magicians confess, "This is the finger of God," they aren't just admitting defeat; they're acknowledging a power above their own magical arts. This confession highlights how the true power of God exposes the limitations of even the most impressive human or spiritual deception, making Pharaoh's continued stubbornness all the more defiant.
The magicians, who had previously mimicked the plagues of frogs with their enchantments, now find themselves utterly powerless against the plague of gnats. Their admission, "This is the finger of God," marks a stunning acknowledgment of a divine power far beyond their own skill. Pharaoh, however, remains unmoved and unyielding, his heart continuing to be hardened against Moses' demands, just as God had foretold.
The magicians, who had previously mimicked the plagues of frogs with their enchantments, now find themselves utterly powerless against the plague of gnats. Their admission, "This is the finger of God," marks a stunning acknowledgment of a divine power far beyond their own skill. Pharaoh, however, remains unmoved and unyielding, his heart continuing to be hardened against Moses' demands, just as God had foretold.
"Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said." — When the magicians confess, "This is the finger of God," they aren't just admitting defeat; they're acknowledging a power above their own magical arts. This confession highlights how the true power…
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Last reviewed October 2026