Psalms 105:31
He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse describes the plagues of flies and gnats, but the key is the effortless way God brought them: "He spoke." This isn't just about the plagues themselves, but a reminder that for God, creation and judgment happen with the same divine authority – a spoken word.
This psalm is recounting the plagues God sent upon Egypt to free His people, Israel. Following the plagues of blood and frogs, these verses describe the plagues of flies and gnats that afflicted Egypt, emphasizing God's powerful word bringing them into existence. This culminates in the eventual liberation of Israel from slavery, highlighting God's faithfulness despite their oppression.
How can a spoken word bring forth a plague? This verse highlights a profound truth about God's creative and authoritative power.
The verse states, 'He spoke, and there came swarms of flies...' This isn't just a description of an event; it's a declaration of God's sovereign power. In the beginning, God spoke the universe into existence (Genesis 1:3). Here, we see that same divine power unleashed to bring judgment. The plagues on Egypt weren't natural occurrences or random accidents. They were direct results of God's spoken command. This shows that God's word is not merely communicative; it is creative and powerful, capable of bringing both life and judgment. It underscores that His voice carries ultimate authority over all creation, even the smallest, most irritating insects.
Was this just a chaotic swarm, or was there a divine strategy at play? These plagues were more than just insects.
The commentators point out that the Hebrew words translated 'flies' and 'lice' can refer to a 'mixture of insects' or 'gnats.' Regardless of the exact species, the key is that these were specific, purposeful judgments. They weren't random pests but instruments of God's will, demonstrating His power and His judgment against Egypt's stubborn resistance. The commentaries note that these plagues were strategically deployed: the flies were the fourth plague and the gnats the third, showing a deliberate escalation. This wasn't about overwhelming force but about precise communication of God's displeasure and His determination to free His people. It reveals God's ability to use even the seemingly insignificant to execute His grand plans.
Understand the original words
amar · Hebrew Verb
In the context of God's interaction with humanity, to speak denotes the exercise of divine authority, power, and sovereign will. When God speaks, reality conforms to His word, demonstrating that His creative and judicial decrees are immediately effective.
arov · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting a plague or infestation, particularly referring to the divine judgment upon Egypt. It signifies the power of God over the natural order to bring about chaos and affliction upon those who oppose Him.
kinnim · Hebrew Noun
A tiny, stinging insect, often identified as gnats or lice. Biblically, these represent a minor creature used by God to humble and plague the pride of man, demonstrating His dominion over the smallest aspects of creation.
This verse recalls specific plagues God sent upon Egypt to force Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, highlighting God's power over creation and His faithfulness to His people.
~1446 BC— this verse
The Exodus from Egypt
Following the ten plagues, God’s people were finally released from over 400 years of slavery in Egypt. This pivotal event marked their transition from bondage to freedom.
~1446 BC
The Ten Plagues of Egypt
A series of devastating supernatural events inflicted upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. These plagues included swarms of flies and gnats.
~1446 BC
Israel's Journey Through the Wilderness
After the Exodus, the Israelites wandered for 40 years in the Sinai desert, during which God provided for them and tested them.
This passage directly describes the plague of flies, identifying it as a powerful act of God that distinguished between the Israelites and the Egyptians, much like the plagues in Psalm 105 highlight God's power and selective judgment.
Exodus 8:16This verse details the plague of gnats (or lice), another plague mentioned in Psalm 105, emphasizing how it demonstrated God's power over nature and baffled the Egyptian magicians.
Psalm 78:45This parallel account of the plagues in the Psalms also recounts the plague of flies, reinforcing the theme of God's judgment upon Egypt for their stubbornness and His deliverance of His people.
Deuteronomy 28:42This passage from Deuteronomy describes the curses that would come upon Israel if they disobeyed, including swarms of insects, drawing a thematic link between God's actions in judgment and the consequences of disobedience.
Job 39:30This verse speaks of God providing food for the raven and the young lions, showing His sovereignty over all creatures and their provision, which echoes the broader theme in Psalm 105 of God's control over even the most disruptive natural forces for His purposes.
pulpitPsalms 105:31: "He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts."
Verse 31. - He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies. The 'arob is now generally thought to be either the dog fly (κυνόμυια, LXX.) or some sort of beetle (see the comment on Exodus 8:21). And lice in all their coasts; rather, gnats (see on Exodus 8:17).
gillPsalms 105:31: "He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts."
He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies,.... Or a "mixture" (z) of various insects, and, as some interpret it, of wild beasts; and so Kimchi says evil beasts are meant, which were raised up to go into all their borders; the Arabic version renders it "dogflies", after the Septuagint; See Gill on Psalm 78:45 , this was the fourth plague, Exodus 8:24 . And lice in all their coasts; this is the thi…
The verse describes the plagues of flies and gnats, but the key is the effortless way God brought them: "He spoke." This isn't just about the plagues themselves, but a reminder that for God, creation and judgment happen with the same divine authority – a spoken word.
This psalm is recounting the plagues God sent upon Egypt to free His people, Israel. Following the plagues of blood and frogs, these verses describe the plagues of flies and gnats that afflicted Egypt, emphasizing God's powerful word bringing them into existence. This culminates in the eventual liberation of Israel from slavery, highlighting God's faithfulness despite their oppression.
This psalm is recounting the plagues God sent upon Egypt to free His people, Israel. Following the plagues of blood and frogs, these verses describe the plagues of flies and gnats that afflicted Egypt, emphasizing God's powerful word bringing them into existence. This culminates in the eventual liberation of Israel from slavery, highlighting God's faithfulness despite their oppression.
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"He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country." — The verse describes the plagues of flies and gnats, but the key is the effortless way God brought them: "He spoke." This isn't just about the plagues themselves, but a reminder that for God, creation…
