And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field:

EXODUS 10:5KJV
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Exodus 10:5 (KJV)

What does Exodus 10:5 mean?

Exodus 10:5 describes how a coming swarm of locusts will be so thick that they will cover the ground completely, making it impossible to see the earth beneath. These locusts will eat everything left after the previous plague of hail, including any remaining crops and every tree still growing in the fields.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, telling him what will happen to Egypt if Pharaoh continues to refuse to let the Israelites go. The verse emphasizes the total destruction the locusts will bring, finishing off whatever the hailstorm did not destroy. This warning highlights the escalating severity of the plagues and the complete ruin facing Egypt’s land and food supply.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 10:5

  • "Cover" (כָּסָה, kasah): This word means to conceal or hide completely. The use here shows just how dense the locust swarm will be—so thick that the ground itself disappears from view.
  • "Residue" (יֶתֶר, yether) and "escaped" (פְּלֵיטָה, peleitah): These words refer to what little survived the earlier hailstorm. The verse stresses that even the small amount left will now be eaten by the locusts, underlining the totality of the devastation.
  • "Tree" (עֵץ, etz) and "groweth" (צָמַח, tsamach): The mention of every tree that "grows" for you in the field points to the loss of not just crops but also fruit trees and any remaining sources of food, deepening the sense of disaster.

Why Exodus 10:5 matters

  • Exodus 10:5 makes clear that the locust plague is not just another hardship but a finishing blow, wiping out all remaining food sources after the hail. This shows the increasing intensity of the plagues.
  • The verse highlights the thoroughness of the destruction, making it clear that nothing will escape—an important detail for understanding the pressure on Pharaoh and the suffering of the Egyptians.
  • By specifying that even the trees and the residue left from the hail will be eaten, the verse connects this plague to the previous one, showing how each disaster builds on the last and leaves Egypt with fewer and fewer resources.

Where else these words appear

“hail” Hebrew H1259 · used in 26 verses

  • Exodus 9:18 Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
  • Exodus 9:29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S.
  • Psalms 18:13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.

“escaped” Hebrew H6413 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 32:8 And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.
  • 2 Chronicles 30:6 So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
  • Isaiah 37:31 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:

“groweth” Hebrew H6779 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 2:5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:5 Then there went certain, and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
  • Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

“residue” Hebrew H3499 · used in 95 verses

  • Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
  • 1 Kings 22:45 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he shewed, and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
  • 2 Chronicles 28:26 Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.