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 10:5KJVWhat 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.