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Exodus 10:12 - Divine judgment through devastating locusts

Exodus 10:12 - שמות 10:12

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה נְטֵה יָדְךָ עַל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם בָּאַרְבֶּה וְיַעַל עַל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם וְיֹאכַל אֶת־כָּל־עֵשֶׂב הָאָרֶץ אֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר הִשְׁאִיר הַבָּרָד׃

English Translation

And the Lord said to Moshe, Stretch out thy hand over the land of Miżrayim for the locusts, that they may come up on the land of Miżrayim, and eat every plant of the land, all that the hail has left.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Adonai el-Moshe nete yad'cha al-eretz Mitzrayim ba'arbeh v'ya'al al-eretz Mitzrayim v'yochal et-kol-esev ha'aretz et kol-asher hish'ir ha'barad.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה נְטֵ֨ה יָדְךָ֜ עַל־אֶ֤רֶץ מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ בָּֽאַרְבֶּ֔ה וְיַ֖עַל עַל־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וְיֹאכַל֙ אֶת־כׇּל־עֵ֣שֶׂב הָאָ֔רֶץ אֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִשְׁאִ֖יר הַבָּרָֽד׃
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה נְטֵ֨ה יָדְךָ֜ עַל־אֶ֤רֶץ מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ בָּֽאַרְבֶּ֔ה וְיַ֖עַל עַל־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וְיֹאכַל֙ אֶת־כׇּל־עֵ֣שֶׂב הָאָ֔רֶץ אֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִשְׁאִ֖יר הַבָּרָֽד׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Plague of Locusts

This verse (Shemot 10:12) introduces the eighth plague—the locusts—that Hashem brought upon Mitzrayim. According to Rashi, this plague was particularly severe because it consumed whatever remained after the previous plague of hail (ברד), demonstrating Hashem's precision in judgment. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 13:6) explains that the locusts were sent to punish Pharaoh for his arrogance and refusal to release Bnei Yisrael.

The Command to Moshe

Hashem instructs Moshe to "stretch out your hand" (נְטֵה יָדְךָ), a recurring motif in the plagues. The Ramban notes that this gesture symbolizes divine authority, showing that the plagues were not natural disasters but acts of Hashem's will. The Malbim adds that Moshe's outstretched hand served as a warning to Pharaoh, giving him another opportunity to repent before the plague struck.

The Devastation of the Locusts

The verse emphasizes that the locusts would consume "every plant of the land" (כָּל־עֵשֶׂב הָאָרֶץ), including what survived the hail. The Ibn Ezra explains that this complete destruction was meant to cripple Mitzrayim's agriculture, leaving no food for people or livestock. The Sforno highlights that this was a direct response to Pharaoh’s earlier refusal (Shemot 10:10) to let Bnei Yisrael leave, demonstrating that Hashem controls all aspects of sustenance.

Symbolism and Divine Justice

  • Measure for Measure: The Midrash Tanchuma (Bo 14) teaches that the locusts, which devour crops, were a fitting punishment for the Egyptians, who oppressed Bnei Yisrael by forcing them to sow and harvest fields.
  • Divine Precision: The phrase "all that the hail left" (אֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר הִשְׁאִיר הַבָּרָד) underscores that no aspect of nature operates independently of Hashem’s command (Rambam, Hilchot Ta'anit 1:3).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Exodus Rabbah 13:7
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the plagues of Egypt, particularly the plague of locusts, and its impact on the land.
📖 Midrash Tanchuma Vaera 14
The verse is cited to elaborate on the severity of the locust plague and its role in demonstrating God's power over Pharaoh and Egypt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the plague of locusts in Exodus 10:12 represent?
A: The plague of locusts was the eighth of the Ten Plagues, demonstrating Hashem's power over nature and His judgment against Egypt for oppressing the Israelites. According to Rashi, the locusts specifically targeted what remained after the hail, showing that even Pharaoh's attempts to salvage crops were futile against Divine will.
Q: Why did Hashem tell Moshe to 'stretch out his hand' to bring the locusts?
A: Stretching out Moshe's hand symbolized that the plague came through Hashem's command, not natural causes. The Rambam explains that this gesture reinforced Moshe's role as Hashem's messenger and showed Pharaoh that the plagues were deliberate acts of Divine intervention.
Q: How did the locust plague affect Egypt differently from the Israelites?
A: The Midrash teaches that the locusts devoured all vegetation in Egypt but left Goshen, where the Israelites lived, untouched. This distinction highlighted Hashem's protection of His people and the precision of Divine justice.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the locust plague today?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 9b) derives from this verse that nothing—not even a blade of grass—moves without Heavenly decree. The plague reminds us of Hashem's absolute control over creation and the consequences of resisting His will, a timeless lesson in humility and faith.
Q: Why did the locusts eat what the hail left?
A: Rashi explains that some Egyptians saved partial crops by bringing indoors what the hail hadn't destroyed (Exodus 9:32). The locusts finished what the hail began, proving that no human effort can override Divine judgment. This reinforced the futility of Pharaoh's stubbornness.