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Exodus 10:15 - Locusts devour Egypt's bounty

Exodus 10:15 - שמות 10:15

Hebrew Text

וַיְכַס אֶת־עֵין כָּל־הָאָרֶץ וַתֶּחְשַׁךְ הָאָרֶץ וַיֹּאכַל אֶת־כָּל־עֵשֶׂב הָאָרֶץ וְאֵת כָּל־פְּרִי הָעֵץ אֲשֶׁר הוֹתִיר הַבָּרָד וְלֹא־נוֹתַר כָּל־יֶרֶק בָּעֵץ וּבְעֵשֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶה בְּכָל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

For they covered the surface of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every plant of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained no green thing in the trees, or in the plants of the field, through all the land of Miżrayim.

Transliteration

Vay'chas et-ayin kol-ha'aretz vatekh'shakh ha'aretz vayokhal et-kol-esev ha'aretz ve'et kol-p'ri ha'etz asher hotir habarad velo-notar kol-yerek ba'etz uve'esev hasadeh bechol-eretz mitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְכַ֞ס אֶת־עֵ֣ין כׇּל־הָאָ֘רֶץ֮ וַתֶּחְשַׁ֣ךְ הָאָ֒רֶץ֒ וַיֹּ֜אכַל אֶת־כׇּל־עֵ֣שֶׂב הָאָ֗רֶץ וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־פְּרִ֣י הָעֵ֔ץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הוֹתִ֖יר הַבָּרָ֑ד וְלֹא־נוֹתַ֨ר כׇּל־יֶ֧רֶק בָּעֵ֛ץ וּבְעֵ֥שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה בְּכׇל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
וַיְכַ֞ס אֶת־עֵ֣ין כׇּל־הָאָ֘רֶץ֮ וַתֶּחְשַׁ֣ךְ הָאָ֒רֶץ֒ וַיֹּ֜אכַל אֶת־כׇּל־עֵ֣שֶׂב הָאָ֗רֶץ וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־פְּרִ֣י הָעֵ֔ץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הוֹתִ֖יר הַבָּרָ֑ד וְלֹא־נוֹתַ֨ר כׇּל־יֶ֧רֶק בָּעֵ֛ץ וּבְעֵ֥שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה בְּכׇל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Eighth Plague: Locusts

This verse describes the eighth plague brought upon Egypt—the plague of locusts (arbeh). The locusts were so numerous that they "covered the surface of the whole earth," darkening the land (Shemot 10:15). Rashi explains that the phrase וַיְכַס אֶת־עֵין כָּל־הָאָרֶץ ("covered the eye of the whole land") means the locusts were so dense that one could not see the ground beneath them, emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the plague.

Complete Devastation

The locusts consumed all remaining vegetation after the previous plagues, fulfilling the warning given to Pharaoh (Shemot 10:5). The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 13:7) notes that this plague was particularly devastating because it destroyed even the food stored in Egyptian homes, leaving them with no sustenance. The phrase וְלֹא־נוֹתַר כָּל־יֶרֶק ("no green thing remained") underscores the totality of the destruction, as the locusts left nothing edible behind.

Divine Precision in Judgment

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:46) discusses how the plagues demonstrated Hashem's control over nature, targeting Egypt while sparing Bnei Yisrael. The locusts specifically destroyed what the hail (barad) had spared (Shemot 10:12), showing that no part of Egypt's sustenance was beyond divine retribution. The Ibn Ezra adds that this plague was a direct response to Pharaoh's stubbornness (Shemot 10:3-4), reinforcing the principle of middah k'neged middah (measure for measure).

Symbolism of Darkness

The darkening of the land (וַתֶּחְשַׁךְ הָאָרֶץ) parallels the ninth plague of darkness, foreshadowing Egypt's impending spiritual and physical downfall. The Sforno explains that this darkness symbolized the despair and hopelessness of the Egyptians as their land was stripped bare, leaving them without means of recovery.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 10:15 describe?
A: Exodus 10:15 describes the eighth plague—the plague of locusts—that struck Egypt. The locusts covered the land so densely that it became dark, and they devoured all remaining vegetation, including plants and trees that survived the previous plague of hail.
Q: Why was the plague of locusts significant?
A: The plague of locusts was significant because it demonstrated Hashem's complete control over nature and His power to punish Egypt for enslaving the Israelites. According to Rashi, the locusts left nothing green, showing the thoroughness of the plague and the futility of Pharaoh's resistance.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the plague of locusts?
A: The plague teaches us about the consequences of stubbornness and refusing to heed divine warnings. Pharaoh's refusal to let the Israelites go led to escalating punishments. The Midrash emphasizes that Hashem gives opportunities for repentance before bringing severe consequences.
Q: How does this verse relate to Jewish faith today?
A: This verse reminds Jews of Hashem's power and justice, reinforcing faith in divine providence. The Rambam teaches that recognizing Hashem's intervention in history strengthens our commitment to Torah and mitzvot, trusting that He guides the world justly.
Q: Why did the locusts eat only what the hail left?
A: Rashi explains that the hail (in the previous plague) destroyed some vegetation, but the locusts consumed whatever remained. This shows the precision of divine punishment—nothing was left untouched, emphasizing that Egypt's suffering was a direct result of Pharaoh's defiance.