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Exodus 10:5 - Locusts: Divine judgment's consuming swarm?

Exodus 10:5 - שמות 10:5

Hebrew Text

וְכִסָּה אֶת־עֵין הָאָרֶץ וְלֹא יוּכַל לִרְאֹת אֶת־הָאָרֶץ וְאָכַל אֶת־יֶתֶר הַפְּלֵטָה הַנִּשְׁאֶרֶת לָכֶם מִן־הַבָּרָד וְאָכַל אֶת־כָּל־הָעֵץ הַצֹּמֵחַ לָכֶם מִן־הַשָּׂדֶה׃

English Translation

and they shall cover the face of the earth, so that it will not be possible to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remains to you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which grows for you out of the field:

Transliteration

Vechisa et-ayin ha'aretz velo yuchal lir'ot et-ha'aretz ve'achal et-yeter hapleta hanishe'eret lakhem min-habarad ve'achal et-kol-ha'etz hatzome'ach lakhem min-hasadeh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְכִסָּה֙ אֶת־עֵ֣ין הָאָ֔רֶץ וְלֹ֥א יוּכַ֖ל לִרְאֹ֣ת אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְאָכַ֣ל&thinsp
וְכִסָּה֙ אֶת־עֵ֣ין הָאָ֔רֶץ וְלֹ֥א יוּכַ֖ל לִרְאֹ֣ת אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְאָכַ֣ל&thinsp

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Exodus 10:5) is part of the warning Moshe delivers to Pharaoh regarding the impending plague of locusts. The locusts would devastate Egypt by consuming all remaining vegetation that survived the previous plague of hail. The verse emphasizes the totality of the destruction, leaving nothing for the Egyptians to sustain themselves.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "וְכִסָּה אֶת־עֵין הָאָרֶץ" ("they shall cover the face of the earth") means the locusts would be so numerous that the ground would be completely obscured from sight. He further notes that "וְלֹא יוּכַל לִרְאֹת אֶת־הָאָרֶץ" ("so that it will not be possible to see the earth") underscores the density of the swarm, making it impossible to even glimpse the ground beneath.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Maimonides) in Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed) discusses the natural order of plagues as divine interventions designed to demonstrate Hashem's power. The locust plague, like the others, was meticulously calculated to target Egypt's agricultural wealth, reinforcing the idea that their false deities (associated with nature and fertility) were powerless against the will of the Almighty.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 13:7) highlights the precision of the plague: the locusts consumed only what belonged to the Egyptians, sparing the crops of Bnei Yisrael in Goshen. This distinction emphasized divine justice—punishing the oppressors while protecting the innocent.
  • Another Midrash (Tanchuma, Bo 14) notes that the locusts devoured even the bark of trees, leaving no chance for regrowth. This symbolized the utter humiliation of Egypt's pride in their self-sufficiency.

Ibn Ezra's Explanation

Ibn Ezra focuses on the phrase "אֶת־יֶתֶר הַפְּלֵטָה" ("the residue of that which is escaped"), clarifying that the locusts would consume whatever meager remnants survived the hail. This demonstrated that no effort—whether Pharaoh's stubbornness or Egypt's resilience—could thwart the divine decree.

Halachic Implications

The Talmud (Ta'anit 3b) derives from this verse that locust swarms are a form of divine punishment for societal sins, particularly corruption and injustice. The Sages later instituted fast days in response to locust infestations, linking them to repentance and prayer.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 10:5 mean in the context of the plagues?
A: Exodus 10:5 describes the upcoming plague of locusts in Egypt. According to Rashi, the locusts would completely cover the land, making it impossible to see the ground, and they would devour whatever crops survived the previous plague of hail. This emphasizes the severity of the plague and how it would leave Egypt with no food supply.
Q: Why did the locusts eat the remaining crops after the hail?
A: The Midrash explains that the locusts were sent to destroy whatever little was left after the hail (Exodus 9:31-32) to show that Hashem’s punishments are thorough and leave no room for evasion. Rambam teaches that this demonstrated divine precision in judgment—nothing escaped destruction.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the plague of locusts in Exodus 10:5?
A: The Talmud (Berachot 9b) derives from this verse that when Hashem brings punishment, it is complete—nothing is overlooked. This teaches us the seriousness of divine justice and the importance of repentance. Additionally, it reminds us of Hashem’s control over nature and His ability to use it for justice.
Q: How does this verse relate to the concept of divine justice in Judaism?
A: Rashi and Ramban explain that the locusts consuming even the remnants of the crops highlights that divine justice is meticulous—no wrongdoing goes unaddressed. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 90a) connects this to the idea that Hashem’s punishments are measured but thorough, reinforcing the need for teshuvah (repentance).
Q: What is the significance of the locusts covering the land so completely?
A: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 13:7) teaches that the locusts’ overwhelming presence symbolized the totality of the plague—no part of Egypt could escape. This was a clear demonstration of Hashem’s power and a warning to Pharaoh to release the Israelites, showing that resistance was futile.