And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.

EXODUS 10:13KJV
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Exodus 10:13 (KJV)

What does Exodus 10:13 mean?

Exodus 10:13 describes how Moses obeyed God by stretching out his staff over Egypt, and in response, the LORD sent a strong east wind that blew all day and night, bringing a swarm of locusts into the land by morning. This verse shows the direct link between Moses’ action and God’s powerful intervention in sending the locust plague.

In this part of the story, Moses is acting under God’s command during the plagues on Egypt. Pharaoh has refused to let the Israelites go, so God uses Moses to bring about another sign of judgment. The verse highlights the sequence: Moses’ obedience, God’s control over nature (the east wind), and the arrival of the locusts as a consequence for Egypt’s stubbornness.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 10:13

  • The word for “east” is קָדִים (qadim), which often refers to a hot, dry wind from the desert. In the region, an east wind could be fierce and destructive, helping explain how the locusts arrived in such overwhelming numbers.
  • The word for “wind” is רוּחַ (ruach), which can mean wind, breath, or spirit. Here, it emphasizes God’s use of natural forces to accomplish His purpose, showing that even the weather responds to His command.
  • The verb translated “brought” for the wind is נָהַג (nahag), which means to drive or lead. This suggests the wind was not random but was directed by God, guiding the locusts exactly where He intended.

Why Exodus 10:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the plague of locusts was not a natural disaster but a controlled act of God, emphasizing His power over creation.
  • The detail about the east wind connects to the broader biblical theme of God using the forces of nature to fulfill His promises and warnings.
  • Understanding the sequence—Moses’ obedience, the wind, and the locusts—helps readers see the close relationship between human action in faith and God’s response in the Exodus story.

Where else these words appear

“locusts” Hebrew H697 · used in 21 verses

  • Exodus 10:4 Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast:
  • Judges 6:5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
  • Psalms 109:23 I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.

“brought” Hebrew H5090 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 31:18 And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.
  • 2 Samuel 6:3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
  • Psalms 80:1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.

“east” Hebrew H6921 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 41:6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
  • Ezekiel 40:44 And without the inner gate were the chambers of the singers in the inner court, which was at the side of the north gate; and their prospect was toward the south: one at the side of the east gate having the prospect toward the north.
  • Ezekiel 48:3 And by the border of Asher, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Naphtali.