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Book of Exodus - Chapter 8 - Verse 18

8:18
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.

Meaning

In this verse from the book of Exodus, the magicians in Pharaoh's court attempted to replicate the miracle performed by Moses and Aaron, where they brought forth lice by the power of God. The magicians used their enchantments to try to bring forth lice, but they were unsuccessful. This highlights the limitations of human power and the sovereignty of God. Despite their best efforts, the magicians were unable to replicate the miracle and were instead faced with the same consequences as everyone else - lice upon man and beast. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the ultimate authority and power of God over all creation. It also underscores the futility of relying on human abilities and magic in the face of divine intervention. Through this miracle, God demonstrated his superiority over all other forces, including those of the most skilled magicians.

Theological Overview

In this verse from Exodus 8:18, we see a display of the supernatural power of God over the powers of darkness. The magicians of Pharaoh attempted to replicate the plague of lice that had been brought upon Egypt by Moses and Aaron, but they were unable to do so. This highlights the limitations of human wisdom and power when faced with the true might of God. The word "enchantments" used in this verse refers to the sorcery and mystical practices that the magicians employed in their attempts to mimic the miracles of God. However, their efforts were in vain, as only God had the power to bring forth the lice upon man and beast. This verse serves as a reminder of the sovereignty of God and the futility of relying on human methods to combat the divine.

American Standard Version

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