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Exodus 10:13 - Divine wind summons destruction.

Exodus 10:13 - שמות 10:13

Hebrew Text

וַיֵּט מֹשֶׁה אֶת־מַטֵּהוּ עַל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם וַיהוָה נִהַג רוּחַ קָדִים בָּאָרֶץ כָּל־הַיּוֹם הַהוּא וְכָל־הַלָּיְלָה הַבֹּקֶר הָיָה וְרוּחַ הַקָּדִים נָשָׂא אֶת־הָאַרְבֶּה׃

English Translation

So Moshe stretched out his rod over the land of Miżrayim, and the Lord brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.

Transliteration

Va-yet Moshe et-matehu al-eretz Mitzrayim va-Adonai nihag ruach kadim ba-aretz kol-ha-yom ha-hu ve-kol-ha-layla ha-boker haya ve-ruach ha-kadim nasa et-ha-arba.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֵּ֨ט מֹשֶׁ֣ה אֶת־מַטֵּ֘הוּ֮ עַל־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֒יִם֒ וַֽיהֹוָ֗ה נִהַ֤ג רֽוּחַ־קָדִים֙ בָּאָ֔רֶץ כׇּל־הַיּ֥וֹם הַה֖וּא וְכׇל־הַלָּ֑יְלָה הַבֹּ֣קֶר הָיָ֔ה וְר֙וּחַ֙ הַקָּדִ֔ים נָשָׂ֖א אֶת־הָאַרְבֶּֽה׃
וַיֵּ֨ט מֹשֶׁ֣ה אֶת־מַטֵּ֘הוּ֮ עַל־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֒יִם֒ וַֽיהֹוָ֗ה נִהַ֤ג רֽוּחַ־קָדִים֙ בָּאָ֔רֶץ כׇּל־הַיּ֥וֹם הַה֖וּא וְכׇל־הַלָּ֑יְלָה הַבֹּ֣קֶר הָיָ֔ה וְר֙וּחַ֙ הַקָּדִ֔ים נָשָׂ֖א אֶת־הָאַרְבֶּֽה׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Role of Moshe's Staff in the Plague of Locusts

Rashi (Shemot 10:13) explains that Moshe stretched out his staff to demonstrate that the plague came through Divine command, not natural causes. The staff served as a visible sign of Hashem's intervention, reinforcing that the plagues were miraculous and directed specifically at Mitzrayim.

The Significance of the East Wind

Ramban (Shemot 10:13) notes that the east wind (ruach kadim) was chosen because it is typically a harsh, dry wind in that region—ideal for bringing locusts. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 13:7) adds that this wind was stored since Creation specifically for this moment, showing Hashem's precise orchestration of nature for His purposes.

The Duration of the Wind

  • All day and night: The Ibn Ezra (Shemot 10:13) observes that the prolonged wind emphasized the unnatural nature of the event—ordinary winds do not persist so consistently.
  • Timing at dawn: The Sforno explains that the locusts arrived in the morning to maximize their devastation, as crops are most vulnerable at that time.

Locusts as Divine Judgment

The Talmud (Ta'anit 3b) teaches that locusts are one of the severest punishments, as they destroy food sources entirely. The Mechilta (Bo 13) connects this to the Egyptians' oppression of Bnei Yisrael—just as they denied sustenance to the Hebrews, their own sustenance was now taken.

The Lesson of Hashem's Control Over Nature

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 2:48) highlights this plague as proof that Hashem directs natural forces to execute His will. The east wind, though a natural phenomenon, acted with precise timing and purpose, demonstrating that even the "laws of nature" are subservient to Divine decree.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Rosh Hashanah 21a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the power of the east wind and its role in bringing the plague of locusts during the Exodus from Egypt.
📖 Exodus Rabbah 13:7
The verse is cited in a midrashic context to elaborate on the nature of the plagues and the divine intervention in Egypt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that Moshe stretched out his rod over Egypt?
A: When Moshe stretched out his rod over Egypt (Exodus 10:13), it was a sign that he was acting with divine authority to bring the plague of locusts. According to Rashi, the rod symbolized that the plagues came from Hashem's command, not Moshe's own power. This was one of the ten plagues meant to demonstrate Hashem's supremacy and convince Pharaoh to free the Israelites.
Q: Why did Hashem bring an east wind to carry the locusts?
A: The east wind (רוּחַ קָדִים) was a strong, dry wind that naturally brought locust swarms from the desert into Egypt. The Midrash explains that Hashem used natural forces to show that even the winds obey His will. Rambam teaches that this demonstrated Hashem's complete control over nature, reinforcing the lesson that the plagues were divine acts, not coincidences.
Q: How long did the east wind blow before the locusts came?
A: The verse states that the east wind blew 'all that day and all that night' (Exodus 10:13). According to Ibn Ezra, this prolonged wind was unusual—normally winds don't last so long—which showed it was a supernatural event. The timing ('when it was morning') also emphasized Hashem's precision in executing the plague exactly as Moshe had warned Pharaoh.
Q: What is the significance of the locust plague in the Exodus story?
A: The locust plague (אַרְבֶּה) was the eighth of the ten plagues and served as a direct attack on Egypt's food supply, showing Hashem's power over their sustenance. The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 26a) notes that locusts symbolize devastation, as they consume everything in their path. This plague was meant to break Pharaoh's stubbornness by targeting Egypt's agricultural wealth.
Q: Does this verse teach us anything about how Hashem controls nature?
A: Yes! This verse teaches that Hashem directs natural forces (like winds) to fulfill His will. The Sforno explains that the east wind was not random—it was deliberately timed and powerful enough to carry the locusts precisely when Moshe warned. This reminds us that nature operates under Hashem's command, and even seemingly ordinary events (like winds) can be part of a greater divine plan.