And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh.
EXODUS 10:6KJVWhat does Exodus 10:6 mean?
Exodus 10:6 describes how the coming plague of locusts will be so severe that they will fill the houses of Pharaoh, his servants, and all Egyptians—something that has never happened before in their history. After delivering this warning, Moses turns and leaves Pharaoh’s presence.
In this verse, Moses is speaking directly to Pharaoh, warning him about the next plague if he refuses to let the Israelites go. The setting is tense, as Moses is delivering God’s message about an unprecedented disaster that will affect every Egyptian household. The verse emphasizes the total and unique devastation that the locusts will bring, highlighting the seriousness of Pharaoh’s continued refusal.
The Hebrew behind Exodus 10:6
- "Fill" (מָלֵא, male): This word means to fill up completely or to overflow. Here, it stresses how the locusts will not just enter but completely occupy every house, leaving no place untouched.
- "Houses" (בַּיִת, bayit): Repeated three times, this word highlights that the plague will affect every level of Egyptian society—Pharaoh’s palace, the homes of his officials, and ordinary Egyptians alike.
- "Servants" (עֶבֶד, eved): This term refers to Pharaoh’s officials or attendants, showing that the disaster will not spare those in positions of power.
- "Seen" (רָאָה, ra’ah): This word means to witness or experience. The verse points out that no one, not even the ancestors of the Egyptians, has ever seen such a thing, underlining the exceptional nature of the coming plague.
Why Exodus 10:6 matters
- This verse makes clear that the plague is not just a natural event but a unique act of judgment that will surpass anything in Egyptian memory, emphasizing God’s power.
- By including Pharaoh’s servants and all Egyptians, the verse shows that the consequences of Pharaoh’s stubbornness will affect the entire nation, not just its leader.
- The detail that Moses turns and leaves Pharaoh after delivering the warning adds drama and shows Moses’ confidence and authority as God’s messenger.