Biblical Verses Biblical Verses & Resources

Book of Exodus - Chapter 8 - Verse 16

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.

Meaning

In this particular verse from the Book of Exodus, God is instructing Moses to inform his brother Aaron to stretch out his rod and strike the dust of the land, causing it to become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. This event was one of the ten plagues that God sent upon Egypt to show His power and force the Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. Each plague was a display of God's supremacy over the Egyptian gods, as well as a demonstration of His ability to bring widespread devastation upon those who oppose Him. Through these plagues, God was not only punishing the Egyptians for their mistreatment of the Israelites but also revealing His majesty and authority to all nations. The plague of lice was a powerful and humiliating affliction, demonstrating God's control over even the smallest creatures of the earth. This verse serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to bring about justice and judgment in His own time and way.

Theological Overview

In this verse from the book of Exodus, the Lord instructs Moses to tell Aaron to stretch out his rod and strike the dust of the land, causing it to turn into lice throughout all of Egypt. This miraculous event demonstrates the power and authority of God over all creation, even the smallest and seemingly insignificant elements like dust. The act of turning dust into lice is significant in its symbolism as well, representing the ability of God to bring about swift and dramatic change in a situation. The use of Aaron's rod, a symbol of authority and power, emphasizes the divine origin of the plague of lice and further reinforces the idea that it is through God's will alone that such extraordinary events can take place. This verse serves as a reminder of the omnipotence of God and His ability to bring about His purposes in ways that defy human understanding.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the earth, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
Previous VerseNext Verse