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Exodus 10:6 - Locusts: Divine judgment fills Egypt.

Exodus 10:6 - שמות 10:6

Hebrew Text

וּמָלְאוּ בָתֶּיךָ וּבָתֵּי כָל־עֲבָדֶיךָ וּבָתֵּי כָל־מִצְרַיִם אֲשֶׁר לֹא־רָאוּ אֲבֹתֶיךָ וַאֲבוֹת אֲבֹתֶיךָ מִיּוֹם הֱיוֹתָם עַל־הָאֲדָמָה עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה וַיִּפֶן וַיֵּצֵא מֵעִם פַּרְעֹה׃

English Translation

and they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all Miżrayim; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers’ fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth to this day. And he turned, and went out from Par῾o.

Transliteration

Umalu batekha uvatei khol-avadekha uvatei khol-mitzrayim asher lo-ra'u avotekha va'avot avotekha miyom heyotam al-ha'adama ad hayom hazeh vayifen vayetze me'im Par'o.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּמָלְא֨וּ בָתֶּ֜יךָ וּבָתֵּ֣י כׇל־עֲבָדֶ֘יךָ֮ וּבָתֵּ֣י כׇל־מִצְרַ֒יִם֒ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־רָא֤וּ אֲבֹתֶ֙יךָ֙ וַאֲב֣וֹת אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ מִיּ֗וֹם הֱיוֹתָם֙ עַל־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וַיִּ֥פֶן וַיֵּצֵ֖א מֵעִ֥ם פַּרְעֹֽה׃
וּמָלְא֨וּ בָתֶּ֜יךָ וּבָתֵּ֣י כׇל־עֲבָדֶ֘יךָ֮ וּבָתֵּ֣י כׇל־מִצְרַ֒יִם֒ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־רָא֤וּ אֲבֹתֶ֙יךָ֙ וַאֲב֣וֹת אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ מִיּ֗וֹם הֱיוֹתָם֙ עַל־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וַיִּ֥פֶן וַיֵּצֵ֖א מֵעִ֥ם פַּרְעֹֽה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Shemot 10:6) is part of Moshe's warning to Pharaoh about the impending plague of locusts. The verse describes the severity of the plague, emphasizing that it will be unprecedented in Egyptian history, filling the houses of Pharaoh, his servants, and all of Egypt.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers’ fathers have seen" underscores the unprecedented nature of the locust plague. He notes that this was not merely a natural occurrence but a divinely orchestrated event, demonstrating Hashem's power over creation. Rashi also highlights Moshe's boldness in speaking to Pharaoh and then turning away without waiting for a response, showing his confidence in Hashem's word.

Ibn Ezra's Insight

Ibn Ezra focuses on the phrase "since the day that they were upon the earth to this day", interpreting it as a hyperbolic expression to emphasize the unparalleled severity of the plague. He suggests that while locusts were known in Egypt, this infestation would be of such magnitude that it would surpass all previous experiences.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 13:7) elaborates on the phrase "and they shall fill thy houses", teaching that the locusts would invade even the most secure and protected spaces, including Pharaoh's palace. This was a direct challenge to Pharaoh's arrogance, as it showed that no human power could prevent Hashem's decree.

  • The Midrash also notes that the locusts would enter "the houses of all thy servants", indicating that even those who followed Pharaoh's orders would suffer, holding them accountable for their participation in oppressing Bnei Yisrael.
  • Additionally, the phrase "and he turned, and went out from Pharaoh" is interpreted as Moshe demonstrating that he had no fear of Pharaoh's retaliation, trusting entirely in Hashem's protection.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 6:5) uses this verse to illustrate the concept of divine punishment being measure-for-measure. The Egyptians oppressed Bnei Yisrael by forcing them to labor excessively, and now their homes would be overrun by locusts, disrupting their lives in a similar manner. This reinforces the principle that Hashem's justice is precise and retributive.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 10:6 mean when it says the locusts will fill the houses of Egypt?
A: This verse describes the severity of the eighth plague—the locusts—that would devastate Egypt. According to Rashi, the locusts would be so numerous that they would invade every home, something never seen before in Egypt's history. This emphasizes the unprecedented nature of the plague and its divine origin.
Q: Why does the verse mention that Egypt's ancestors never saw such a plague?
A: The Torah highlights that this plague was unlike anything Egypt had experienced before to underscore its miraculous nature. The Midrash explains that this was a clear demonstration of Hashem's power, proving that these events were not natural occurrences but divine punishments meant to compel Pharaoh to free the Jewish people.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Moshe turning and leaving Pharaoh after delivering this warning?
A: Rashi explains that Moshe's act of turning away and leaving without waiting for a response shows that he had no hope Pharaoh would repent. This teaches us that when someone repeatedly hardens their heart against truth and justice, there comes a point when further warnings are futile, and action must follow.
Q: How does this verse connect to the broader theme of the Exodus story?
A: This plague, like the others, was meant to break Pharaoh's resistance and demonstrate Hashem's supremacy. The Rambam (Maimonides) teaches that these miracles were not just for Egypt but also to instill faith in the Jewish people and future generations, showing that Hashem controls nature and history for the sake of His people.
Q: Why were the locusts described as filling even the houses of Pharaoh's servants?
A: The plague affected everyone in Egypt, from Pharaoh to his lowest servants, to show that no one would escape the consequences of Pharaoh's stubbornness. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 92a) notes that this was a measure-for-measure punishment—just as Pharaoh oppressed all of Bnei Yisrael, the plague afflicted all of Egypt.