And the LORD did so.This phrase emphasizes the direct intervention of God in the events of the Exodus. It highlights God's sovereignty and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and warnings. The plagues were a demonstration of God's power over the Egyptian gods, particularly those associated with nature and the Nile. This act of God is a continuation of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, showing His commitment to deliver His people from bondage.
Thick swarms of flies poured into Pharaoh’s palace and into the houses of his officials.
The swarms of flies represent the fourth plague sent upon Egypt. The Hebrew term used here can refer to various types of insects, possibly including biting flies or beetles. This plague specifically targeted the Egyptian elite, as it affected Pharaoh's palace and the homes of his officials, demonstrating that no one was exempt from God's judgment. In Egyptian culture, flies were often associated with pestilence and disease, and this plague would have been seen as a direct assault on the comfort and authority of the ruling class.
Throughout Egypt the land was ruined by swarms of flies.
The widespread devastation caused by the flies indicates the severity of the plague. The land being "ruined" suggests not only physical discomfort but also economic and agricultural damage, as flies could have contaminated food supplies and spread disease. This phrase underscores the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, affecting the entire nation. The plagues serve as a precursor to the ultimate deliverance of the Israelites, foreshadowing the greater salvation to come through Jesus Christ, who delivers from the bondage of sin. The ruin of Egypt can also be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to judge the oppressors of His people, as seen inGenesis 12:3, where God promises to curse those who curse Abraham's descendants.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, who demonstrates His power and sovereignty over Egypt and its gods through the plagues.
2.
PharaohThe ruler of Egypt, whose heart is hardened against letting the Israelites go, despite the plagues.
3.
Moses and AaronGod's chosen leaders to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
4.
EgyptThe land where the Israelites are enslaved, and the setting for the plagues.
5.
The Plague of FliesThe fourth plague sent by God, which brings swarms of flies that ruin the land of Egypt.
Teaching Points
God's SovereigntyThe plagues, including the flies, demonstrate God's control over nature and His ability to use it to fulfill His purposes.
Judgment and MercyWhile the plagues are acts of judgment against Egypt, they also serve as opportunities for Pharaoh to repent and acknowledge God.
Hardened HeartsPharaoh's refusal to heed God's command despite the plagues is a warning against hardening our hearts to God's voice.
DeliveranceThe plagues are part of God's plan to deliver His people, reminding us of His faithfulness to His promises.
Spiritual WarfareThe plagues can be seen as a spiritual battle between the God of Israel and the gods of Egypt, illustrating the ultimate victory of God over evil.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 8:24?
2.How does Exodus 8:24 demonstrate God's power over creation and Pharaoh's resistance?
3.What lessons can we learn from the severity of the "swarms of flies"?
4.How does Exodus 8:24 connect to God's covenant with Israel in Genesis?
5.How can we apply God's deliverance in Exodus 8:24 to our personal struggles?
6.What does Exodus 8:24 teach about the consequences of hardening one's heart against God?
7.How does Exodus 8:24 demonstrate God's power over nature?
8.What historical evidence supports the plagues described in Exodus 8:24?
9.Why did God choose flies as a plague in Exodus 8:24?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 8?
11.What were the Ten Plagues of Egypt in the Bible?
12.What events occur in the biblical book of Exodus?
13.How did Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt?
14.Ezekiel 33:17 - If God's ways are truly just, why do we see instances of collective punishment and suffering elsewhere in Scripture?What Does Exodus 8:24 Mean
And the LORD did so• God immediately backs up His word given through Moses (Exodus 8:20-23). Just as He spoke the plague into being, He now brings it to pass, proving again that “God is not a man, that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19).
• Earlier plagues followed the same pattern of promise and performance (Exodus 7:20; 8:13; 9:6). Each fulfillment increases the contrast between the Lord’s faithfulness and Pharaoh’s stubbornness.
•Isaiah 55:11 reminds us that every word from God “will not return to Me void,” a truth vividly illustrated here.
Thick swarms of flies poured into Pharaoh’s palace and into the houses of his officials• The plague is personal. It invades the royal residence first, toppling any illusion that Pharaoh can shield himself. Compare the earlier Nile judgment that embarrassed Egypt’s gods at the river (Exodus 7:20-21); now the palace gods are powerless inside the very seat of power.
• Officials—those charged with governing—find themselves afflicted alongside commoners, echoingPsalm 2:10-12, where earthly rulers are urged to “serve the LORD with fear.”
•Psalm 78:45 later recalls, “He sent swarms of flies that devoured them,” linking this event to the larger testimony of God’s saving acts.
• The plague also answers Pharaoh’s earlier boast, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice?” (Exodus 5:2). The Lord answers by marching right through his front door.
Throughout Egypt the land was ruined by swarms of flies• “Ruined” speaks of widespread devastation—crops, animals, and daily life disrupted. Similar wording appears inExodus 10:7 where Pharaoh’s own advisers plead, “Do you not yet realize that Egypt is destroyed?”
• The economic blow echoesJoel 1:4, where successive locust waves leave the land desolate. Here, flies render labor impossible and spread disease, turning prosperity into misery.
• While Egypt suffers, Goshen is spared (Exodus 8:22-23), highlighting the Lord’s covenant distinction and foreshadowing future deliverance (Exodus 12:13).
• The judgment anticipates later plagues inRevelation 16, where targeted bowls likewise testify to God’s righteous wrath and precise control.
summaryExodus 8:24 underscores the reliability of God’s word, His total sovereignty over rulers and realms, and His ability to both judge and protect. The flies are more than a nuisance; they are a divine proclamation that the Lord alone is God, Pharaoh is not, and obedience to His voice is non-negotiable.
(24)
The land was corrupted.--Rather, as in the margin,
destroyed. Kalisch observes, "These insects"--
i.e., the kakerlaque (
Blatta Orientalis)
, "really fill the land, and molest men and beasts; they consume all sorts of materials,
devastate the country, and are in so far more detrimental than the gnats, as they destroy also the property of the Egyptians."
Verse 24. -
A grievous swarm of flies. Rather "a multitude of beetles." As with the frogs, so with the beetles, it aggravated the infliction, that, being sacred animals, they might not be destroyed or injured. Beetles were sacred to Ra, the sun-god; and one form of Ra, Chepra, was ordinarily represented under the form of a beetle, or as a man with a beetle for his heath
The land was corrupted. Rather "destroyed;"
i.e. grievously injured, or "devastated"(as Kalisch renders). The beetles seriously damaged the growing crops.
CHAPTER 8:25-32
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And the LORDיְהוָה֙(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israeldidוַיַּ֤עַשׂ(way·ya·‘aś)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makeso.כֵּ֔ן(kên)Adverb
Strong's 3651:So -- thusThickכָּבֵ֔ד(kā·ḇêḏ)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3515:Heavyswarms of fliesעָרֹ֣ב(‘ā·rōḇ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6157:Probably a swarmpouredוַיָּבֹא֙(way·yā·ḇō)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, gointo Pharaoh’sפַרְעֹ֖ה(p̄ar·‘ōh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547:Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kingspalaceבֵּ֥יתָה(bê·ṯāh)Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1004:A houseand into the housesוּבֵ֣ית(ū·ḇêṯ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004:A houseof his officials.עֲבָדָ֑יו(‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650:Slave, servantThroughoutוּבְכָל־(ū·ḇə·ḵāl)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyEgyptמִצְרַ֛יִם(miṣ·ra·yim)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714:Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africathe landאֶ֧רֶץ(’e·reṣ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776:Earth, landwas ruinedתִּשָּׁחֵ֥ת(tiš·šā·ḥêṯ)Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7843:Perhaps to go to ruinbyמִפְּנֵ֥י(mip·pə·nê)Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The faceswarms of flies.הֶעָרֹֽב׃(he·‘ā·rōḇ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6157:Probably a swarm
Links
Exodus 8:24 NIVExodus 8:24 NLTExodus 8:24 ESVExodus 8:24 NASBExodus 8:24 KJV
Exodus 8:24 BibleApps.comExodus 8:24 Biblia ParalelaExodus 8:24 Chinese BibleExodus 8:24 French BibleExodus 8:24 Catholic Bible
OT Law: Exodus 8:24 Yahweh did so (Exo. Ex) 
