And the LORD changed the windThis phrase highlights the sovereignty and power of God over nature. In the biblical context, God often uses natural elements to accomplish His purposes, as seen in the plagues of Egypt. The changing of the wind signifies a divine intervention, emphasizing that the plagues were not random natural disasters but acts of God.
to a very strong west wind
The west wind is significant as it comes from the direction of the Mediterranean Sea, contrasting with the east wind that brought the locusts. This change in direction symbolizes a reversal of the plague. In the ancient Near East, winds were often seen as manifestations of divine will, and a strong wind would be understood as a powerful act of God.
that carried off the locusts
The removal of the locusts demonstrates God's control over the situation and His ability to both bring and remove judgment. Locusts were a common and devastating plague in the ancient world, often symbolizing destruction and famine. Their removal signifies relief and the possibility of restoration.
and blew them into the Red Sea
The Red Sea, or "Sea of Reeds," is a significant geographical location in the Exodus narrative. The blowing of the locusts into the sea not only removes them from the land but also foreshadows the later miraculous crossing of the Israelites. This act can be seen as a type of cleansing, removing the impurity of the plague from the land.
Not a single locust remained anywhere in Egypt
This complete removal underscores the totality of God's deliverance. It highlights the thoroughness of God's actions and His ability to restore order. The phrase also serves as a testament to the effectiveness of God's power, leaving no trace of the previous devastation, which can be seen as a precursor to the complete deliverance of Israel from Egypt.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who demonstrates His power and sovereignty over creation and the false gods of Egypt.
2.
PharaohThe ruler of Egypt, whose heart is hardened against releasing the Israelites, leading to the plagues as a demonstration of God's power.
3.
MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites, who acts as God's messenger to Pharaoh, demanding the release of God's people.
4.
The LocustsThe eighth plague sent by God upon Egypt, devastating the land and demonstrating God's control over nature.
5.
The Red SeaThe body of water into which the locusts are driven, symbolizing God's deliverance and judgment.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over NatureGod controls the elements, as seen in His command over the wind and the locusts. This reminds us of His ultimate authority over all creation.
Judgment and DeliveranceThe removal of the locusts signifies both judgment on Egypt and deliverance for Israel. It highlights God's ability to both judge sin and provide salvation.
The Power of RepentancePharaoh's temporary repentance leads to the removal of the plague, illustrating the importance of turning to God, though true repentance requires a change of heart.
God's Faithfulness to His PromisesDespite Pharaoh's resistance, God remains faithful to His promise to deliver Israel, encouraging us to trust in His promises in our lives.
The Importance of ObedienceThe plagues serve as a warning of the consequences of disobedience to God, urging us to live in accordance with His will.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 10:19?
2.How does God's control over nature in Exodus 10:19 strengthen your faith today?
3.What does the removal of locusts reveal about God's power and mercy?
4.How can Exodus 10:19 inspire trust in God's deliverance in your life?
5.Connect Exodus 10:19 with another biblical instance of God controlling nature.
6.How can you apply God's sovereignty in Exodus 10:19 to current challenges?
7.How did the LORD use a strong west wind to remove the locusts in Exodus 10:19?
8.What is the significance of the locusts being driven into the Red Sea in Exodus 10:19?
9.Does the removal of locusts in Exodus 10:19 symbolize God's power over nature?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 10?
11.What does 'ruach' mean?
12.Why does Moses repeatedly request permission for worship yet continue threatening Pharaoh (Exodus 10:9-11) if God had already determined Pharaoh's heart would be hardened?
13.How does the destruction caused by the locusts (Exodus 10:15) align with the later plague of hail in Exodus 9, which supposedly ruined crops earlier?
14.(Exodus 4:21) Why would God harden Pharaoh's heart, seemingly undermining free will and complicating the path to liberation?What Does Exodus 10:19 Mean
And the LORD changed the wind• Scripture opens with the subject: “the LORD.” He alone initiates the reversal of the plague, underscoring His absolute sovereignty over creation (cf.Exodus 9:29;Psalm 148:8).
• The verb “changed” highlights a deliberate, immediate act in response to Moses’ intercession (Exodus 10:18;James 5:16-17).
• Because Scripture records this as historical narrative, we read it literally: God redirected the very forces of nature at a specific moment in time.
To a very strong west wind• The shift isn’t to a gentle breeze but to “a very strong” wind—language that echoes other instances where God commands powerful weather (Jonah 1:4;Psalm 107:25).
• “West” is significant in the geography of Egypt; such a wind would blow from the desert toward the sea, a precise, purposeful direction.
• This reminds us that the Creator not only controls magnitude but also the fine-tuned details of His world (Job 37:9-13).
That carried off the locusts• The same natural force God used to bring the locusts (10:13) He now uses to remove them, revealing His complete dominion over both judgment and mercy (Joel 2:25).
• Deliverance is immediate and visible; the Egyptians can watch the plague lift, reinforcing the lesson that their gods are powerless (Exodus 12:12).
• For God’s people, it’s a picture of how He lifts burdens completely, not partially (Psalm 34:4).
And blew them into the Red Sea• The wind’s destination is specific: “the Red Sea,” the future stage of Israel’s own salvation (Exodus 14:21-22).
• By depositing the locusts in water, God ensures they cannot return, paralleling how He later drowns Pharaoh’s army—two acts of sweeping, watery judgment (Psalm 78:53).
• The text invites us to see God’s consistency: He eradicates what threatens His covenant plan.
Not a single locust remained anywhere in Egypt• The phrase “not a single” stresses totality. God’s work is thorough—nothing slips through His fingers (Deuteronomy 7:24).
• Egypt moves from worst infestation (10:14-15) to absolute freedom overnight, mirroring how divine deliverance is often dramatic and unmistakable (Joshua 10:40).
• The complete removal foreshadows the ultimate redemption where sin and death will likewise be wiped out entirely (Revelation 21:4).
summaryExodus 10:19 shows the LORD’s unrivaled authority: He can summon a plague and just as swiftly dismiss it. By changing the wind, directing its strength, sweeping the locusts away, and clearing every last insect, God demonstrates precise, compassionate control over creation for the sake of His people and the display of His glory.
(19)
The Lord turned a mighty strong west wind . . . --As locusts come, so they commonly go, with a wind. They cannot fly far without one. It often happens that a wind blows them into the sea. Pallas says, speaking of Crimean locusts in the year 1799:--"Great numbers of them were carried [from the Crimea] by northerly winds into the sea, where they perished, and were afterwards washed on shore in heaps" (
Travels, vol. ii., p. 424).
The Red sea.--Heb.,the sea of weeds, orof rushes. The Red Sea probably acquired this name among the Hebrews from the fact that in the time of Moses its north-western recess communicated with a marshy tract, extending as far as the Bitter Lakes, and abounding in aquatic plants of a luxuriant growth. (Comp.Exodus 2:3, where the same term designates the water-plants of the Nile.)
There remained not one locust . . . --Niebuhr says of locusts in Arabia:--"Souvent il en reste beaucoup apres le depart general" (Description de l' Arabie, p. 153). But, on the other hand, there are times when the whole swarm takes its departure at once. "A wind from the south-west," says Morier, "which had brought them, so completely drove them forwards that not a vestige of them was to be seen two hours afterwards" (Second Journey, p. 98).
Verse 19. -
And the Lord turned a mighty strong west wind. Literally, "a very strong sea-wind" -
i.e. one which blew from the Mediterranean, and which might, therefore, so far, be north, north-west, or north-east. As it blew the locusts into the "Sea of Weeds,"
i.e. the Red Sea, it must have been actually a north-west wind, and so passing obliquely over Egypt, have carried the locusts in a south-easterly direction.
Cast them into the Red Sea. Literally, "the Sea of Weeds." No commentater doubts that the Red Sea is here meant. It 'seems to have received its Hebrew appellation,
Yam Suph, "Sea of Weeds," either from the quantity of sea-weed which it throws up, or, more probably, from the fact that anciently its north-western recess was connected with a marshy tract extending from the present head of the Gulf of Suez nearly to the Bitter Lakes, in which grew abundant weeds and water-plants.
There remained not one locust. The sudden and entire departure of locusts is as remarkable as their coming. "At the hour of prime," says one writer, "they began to depart, and at midday there was not one remaining.", "A wind from the south-west," says another, "which had brought them, so completely drove them forwards that not a vestige of them was to be seen two hours afterwards" (Morier, 'Second Journey,' p. 98).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And the LORDיְהוָ֤ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelchanged the windוַיַּהֲפֹ֨ךְ(way·ya·hă·p̄ōḵ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2015:To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervertto a very strongחָזָ֣ק(ḥā·zāq)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2389:Strong, stout, mightywestיָם֙(yām)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220:A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basinwindרֽוּחַ־(rū·aḥ-)Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307:Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spiritthat carried offוַיִּשָּׂא֙(way·yiś·śā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5375:To lift, carry, takethe locustsהָ֣אַרְבֶּ֔ה(hā·’ar·beh)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 697:(a kind of) locustand blewוַיִּתְקָעֵ֖הוּ(way·yiṯ·qā·‘ê·hū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8628:To clatter, slap, clang, to drive, to become bondsmanthem into the Redסּ֑וּף(sūp̄)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5488:A reed, the papyrusSea.יָ֣מָּה(yām·māh)Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3220:A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basinNotלֹ֤א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noa singleאֶחָ֔ד(’e·ḥāḏ)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259:United, one, firstlocustאַרְבֶּ֣ה(’ar·beh)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 697:(a kind of) locustremainedנִשְׁאַר֙(niš·’ar)Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7604:To swell up, be, redundantanywhereבְּכֹ֖ל(bə·ḵōl)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyinגְּב֥וּל(gə·ḇūl)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1366:A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosedEgypt.מִצְרָֽיִם׃(miṣ·rā·yim)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714:Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa
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OT Law: Exodus 10:19 Yahweh turned an exceeding strong west wind (Exo. Ex) 
