And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.

EXODUS 8:18KJV
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Exodus 8:18 (KJV)

What does Exodus 8:18 mean?

Exodus 8:18 describes how Pharaoh’s magicians tried to use their secret arts to produce lice, just as Moses and Aaron had done, but they were unable to do so; as a result, lice appeared on both people and animals. This verse shows a turning point where the magicians could no longer imitate the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron.

In the story, Moses and Aaron are confronting Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites from slavery. Up to this point, Pharaoh’s magicians had been able to copy some of the earlier plagues, but here their abilities fail. The verse highlights a clear distinction between the power behind Moses and Aaron’s actions and the limited power of the magicians, emphasizing the uniqueness of what God was doing through Moses.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 8:18

  • The word for "magicians" (חַרְטֻמִּים, chartummim) refers to the Egyptian wise men or sorcerers who served Pharaoh. Their role was to use occult practices to replicate miracles, but their failure here marks a significant shift.
  • "Enchantments" (לַהֲטֵיהֶם, lahatayhem) means magical arts or secret spells. The verse points out that their usual methods were powerless against this particular plague.
  • "Could" (יָכֹלוּ, yakhlu) means "were able," and its use here stresses the magicians’ inability, highlighting a limit to their power.
  • "Lice" (כִּנִּים, kinnim) refers to small biting insects, possibly gnats or lice, that afflicted both humans (אָדָם, adam) and animals (בְּהֵמָה, behemah), showing the widespread nature of the plague.

Why Exodus 8:18 matters

  • Exodus 8:18 clarifies that the magicians’ powers had limits, which sets apart the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron as truly unique and divine.
  • The verse marks a turning point in the narrative, as even Pharaoh’s own experts admit defeat, which adds pressure on Pharaoh and highlights the seriousness of the plagues.
  • This moment helps explain why Pharaoh’s resistance becomes more desperate, as he can no longer rely on his magicians to counter the signs and wonders brought by Moses.

Where else these words appear

“lice” Hebrew H3654 · used in 5 verses

  • Exodus 8:16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
  • Exodus 8:17 And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
  • Psalms 105:31 He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.

“enchantments” Hebrew H3909 · used in 6 verses

  • Exodus 7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.
  • Exodus 8:7 And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.
  • 1 Samuel 18:22 And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son in law.

“magicians” Hebrew H2748 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 41:8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
  • Exodus 7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.
  • Exodus 9:11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.