And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.

EXODUS 8:5KJV
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Exodus 8:5 (KJV)

What does Exodus 8:5 mean?

Exodus 8:5 records God telling Moses to instruct Aaron to stretch out his hand with his staff over Egypt’s waters, so that frogs would come up and cover the land. This verse sets up the second plague, where frogs will swarm throughout Egypt as a sign of God’s power and judgment.

In this scene, the LORD (God) is speaking directly to Moses, giving him a command to pass on to Aaron. The instruction is specific: Aaron is to use his rod over the streams, rivers, and ponds, which are the main water sources in Egypt. The result will be an overwhelming number of frogs coming onto the land, showing that God controls nature and is responding to Pharaoh’s refusal to let the Israelites go.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 8:5

  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, emphasizing that it is Israel’s God who is taking action, not a generic deity.
  • "rod" (מַטֶּה, matteh): This word means staff or rod, often a symbol of authority or power. Here, Aaron’s rod is the instrument through which God’s power is displayed.
  • "frogs" (צְפַרְדֵּעַ, tsefardea): The specific mention of frogs highlights the unusual and supernatural nature of the plague, as frogs would normally not swarm in such numbers.
  • "land" (אֶרֶץ, erets): This word means land or earth, making it clear that the frogs will not just stay in the water but will invade the inhabited areas of Egypt.

Why Exodus 8:5 matters

  • Exodus 8:5 shows that God’s instructions are precise and involve both Moses and Aaron, highlighting their partnership and obedience in carrying out God’s will.
  • The verse connects to the larger story of the plagues, each one targeting aspects of Egyptian life and their gods, showing that Israel’s God is more powerful.
  • The detail about the frogs coming from all water sources emphasizes the totality of the plague, leaving no part of Egypt untouched and making it clear that this is a divine act, not a natural event.

Where else these words appear

“ponds” Hebrew H98 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 7:19 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.
  • Psalms 114:8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
  • Isaiah 41:18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

“frogs” Hebrew H6854 · used in 13 verses

  • Exodus 8:2 And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:
  • Exodus 8:7 And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.
  • Exodus 8:12 And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh.

“rivers” Hebrew H2975 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 41:1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
  • Exodus 7:24 And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
  • Isaiah 37:25 I have digged, and drunk water; and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of the besieged places.

“streams” Hebrew H5104 · used in 109 verses

  • Genesis 2:10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
  • Ezra 8:36 And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.
  • Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.