And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.

EXODUS 8:22KJV
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Exodus 8:22 (KJV)

What does Exodus 8:22 mean?

Exodus 8:22 means that God promises to set apart the land of Goshen, where the Israelites live, so that the plague of flies will not affect them, while the rest of Egypt suffers. This distinction is meant to show clearly that God is present and active in the land.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, who is then to relay the message to Pharaoh. The setting is during the plagues in Egypt, and God is making it clear that He will protect His people from the coming swarm of flies. The purpose is to demonstrate to Pharaoh and everyone else that the LORD is truly in control and present among the people, not just a distant or local deity.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 8:22

  • The word "sever" (פָּלָה, palah) means to set apart or make a distinction. This highlights that God is intentionally making a difference between the Egyptians and the Israelites, not just allowing events to happen by chance.
  • "Goshen" (גֹּשֶׁן, Goshen) is the specific region in Egypt where the Israelites lived. Naming it underscores that God’s protection is precise and not just general.
  • "Know" (יָדַע, yadaʿ) means more than just intellectual knowledge; it often carries the sense of personal experience or recognition. Here, it stresses that the events are meant to lead Pharaoh to truly recognize God’s power and presence.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH) is the personal name of God, emphasizing that it is Israel’s God, not just any god, who is acting in Egypt.

Why Exodus 8:22 matters

  • Exodus 8:22 clears up any idea that the plagues were just natural disasters; it shows that God can control exactly who is affected.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s personal involvement and care for His people, making a clear distinction between them and others.
  • This verse connects to the larger story by showing that the plagues are not random but are targeted signs meant to reveal God’s identity and authority to Pharaoh and the Egyptians.

Where else these words appear

“sever” Hebrew H6395 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 9:4 And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel.
  • Exodus 33:16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
  • Psalms 17:7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

“swarms” Hebrew H6157 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 8:21 Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.
  • Exodus 8:29 And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.
  • Psalms 78:45 He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.

“end” Hebrew H4616 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 12:13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
  • Numbers 16:40 To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.
  • Psalms 125:3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

“Goshen” Hebrew H1657 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 45:10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:
  • Genesis 47:1 Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen.
  • Genesis 50:8 And all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, and his father's house: only their little ones, and their flocks, and their herds, they left in the land of Goshen.