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Exodus 8:17 - Divine plague targets Egyptian arrogance.

Exodus 8:17 - שמות 8:17

Hebrew Text

כִּי אִם־אֵינְךָ מְשַׁלֵּחַ אֶת־עַמִּי הִנְנִי מַשְׁלִיחַ בְּךָ וּבַעֲבָדֶיךָ וּבְעַמְּךָ וּבְבָתֶּיךָ אֶת־הֶעָרֹב וּמָלְאוּ בָּתֵּי מִצְרַיִם אֶת־הֶעָרֹב וְגַם הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר־הֵם עָלֶיהָ׃

English Translation

Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of gnats upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of Miżrayim shall be full of swarms of gnats, and also the ground on which they are.

Transliteration

Ki im-einekha meshalei'ach et-ami hineni mashli'ach bekha uva'avadekha uv'amekha uvvateikha et-ha'arov umale'u batei mitzrayim et-ha'arov vegam ha'adama asher-hem aleiha.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּ֣י אִם־אֵינְךָ֮ מְשַׁלֵּ֣חַ אֶת־עַמִּי֒ הִנְנִי֩ מַשְׁלִ֨יחַ בְּךָ֜ וּבַעֲבָדֶ֧יךָ וּֽבְעַמְּךָ֛ וּבְבָתֶּ֖יךָ אֶת־הֶעָרֹ֑ב וּמָ֨לְא֜וּ בָּתֵּ֤י מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ אֶת־הֶ֣עָרֹ֔ב וְגַ֥ם הָאֲדָמָ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־הֵ֥ם עָלֶֽיהָ׃
כִּ֣י אִם־אֵינְךָ֮ מְשַׁלֵּ֣חַ אֶת־עַמִּי֒ הִנְנִי֩ מַשְׁלִ֨יחַ בְּךָ֜ וּבַעֲבָדֶ֧יךָ וּֽבְעַמְּךָ֛ וּבְבָתֶּ֖יךָ אֶת־הֶעָרֹ֑ב וּמָ֨לְא֜וּ בָּתֵּ֤י מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ אֶת־הֶ֣עָרֹ֔ב וְגַ֥ם הָאֲדָמָ֖ה אֲשֶׁר־הֵ֥ם עָלֶֽיהָ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Fourth Plague: עָרֹב (Arov – Swarms of Insects)

The verse (Shemot 8:17) describes the warning of the fourth plague—עָרֹב—which Rashi explains as a mixture of wild beasts and harmful insects that would swarm Egypt. This plague targeted Pharaoh’s refusal to release Bnei Yisrael, escalating the consequences of his obstinacy.

Nature of the Plague

According to the Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 11:3), עָרֹב was not merely one type of creature but a chaotic invasion of multiple dangerous animals and insects. The Ibn Ezra adds that this plague demonstrated Hashem’s control over nature, as these creatures normally avoid human dwellings but were now forced to invade Egypt.

Symbolism and Divine Justice

  • Measure for Measure: The Midrash Tanchuma (Va’eira 14) teaches that since the Egyptians oppressed Bnei Yisrael by forcing them to chase after stray animals (e.g., when they were shepherds), Hashem brought wild beasts upon them.
  • Violation of Boundaries: Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:46) notes that this plague disrupted the natural order, symbolizing how Pharaoh’s tyranny violated moral boundaries.

Impact on Egyptian Society

The phrase "וּמָלְאוּ בָּתֵּי מִצְרַיִם" ("the houses of Egypt shall be full") emphasizes that no Egyptian was spared, from Pharaoh to the lowest servant. The Malbim explains that this universal affliction underscored that the entire nation was complicit in enslaving Bnei Yisrael.

Distinction Between Egypt and Israel

The plague of עָרֹב marked the first time Hashem made a clear distinction (הַפְלָאָה) between Egyptians and Israelites (Shemot 8:18). Rashi highlights that this separation foreshadowed the eventual redemption, proving that Hashem protects His people even amidst judgment.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the 'swarms of gnats' (עָרֹב) in Exodus 8:17 refer to?
A: According to Rashi and other traditional Jewish commentators, the עָרֹב (arov) refers to a mixture of wild animals or swarms of insects (like gnats or flies) that attacked Egypt. Some Midrashim explain it as a swarm of dangerous creatures that caused chaos and destruction in Egypt.
Q: Why did Hashem send the plague of עָרֹב (gnats) specifically?
A: The plague of עָרֹב was a punishment for Pharaoh's refusal to free the Jewish people. The Midrash teaches that this plague demonstrated Hashem's control over nature—unlike the Egyptian magicians, who could not replicate it (Exodus 8:14). It also showed that Hashem distinguishes between the Egyptians and the Israelites, as the plague did not affect Goshen (where the Jews lived).
Q: How does this verse teach us about Hashem's justice?
A: This verse illustrates the principle of 'measure for measure' (מידה כנגד מידה). Pharaoh oppressed the Israelites with forced labor, so Hashem brought plagues that disrupted Egyptian life. The עָרֹב invaded their homes, just as Pharaoh invaded the Israelites' freedom. The Rambam teaches that Divine punishment always corresponds to a person's actions.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the plague of עָרֹב today?
A: The plague reminds us that Hashem is in control of all creation and protects His people. Just as He distinguished between Egypt and Israel, we learn that righteousness brings Divine protection. Additionally, the Talmud (Berachot 10a) teaches that we should recognize Hashem’s hand in both large and small events—even something as seemingly minor as a swarm of insects.