WHAT ARE THE TEN PLAGUES OF EGYPT

The plagues appear in Exodus 7–12 and are presented as direct confrontations between Yahweh and the gods, power structures, and worldview of Egypt.

Each plague escalates in severity, targeting a different aspect of Egyptian life.

1. Water Turned to Blood

Exodus 7:14–25

Hebrew Term

Dam — blood.

What Happened

• The Nile and all water sources turned to blood.
• Fish died, the river stank, and Egyptians dug for water.

Egyptian Background

• The Nile was considered the lifeblood of Egypt.
• Deities connected to the Nile included Hapi (god of the river) and Khnum (guardian of its source).

Impact

• Economic collapse of fishing.
• Religious humiliation of Nile gods.

2. Plague of Frogs

Exodus 8:1–15

Hebrew Term

Tzefardea — frogs.

What Happened

• Frogs swarmed into houses, beds, ovens, and kneading bowls.

Egyptian Background

• Frogs symbolized fertility.
• The goddess Heqet, depicted with a frog’s head, was associated with childbirth.

Impact

• A sacred animal became a curse.
• Pharaoh begged Moses to remove them.

3. Plague of Gnats / Lice

Exodus 8:16–19

Hebrew Term

Kinnim — could mean lice, gnats, or sandflies.

What Happened

• Dust of the earth became biting insects.

Egyptian Background

• Priests shaved their bodies to avoid impurity.
• This plague made ritual purity impossible.

Impact

• Egyptian magicians admitted: “This is the finger of God.”

4. Plague of Swarms (Flies or Mixed Creatures)

Exodus 8:20–32

Hebrew Term

Arov — “a mixture,” often translated as flies.

What Happened

• Swarms invaded Egyptian homes and land.
• Goshen, where Israel lived, was spared.

Egyptian Background

• Flies were associated with disease and decay.
• The god Uatchit was depicted as a fly.

Impact

• First plague with a clear distinction between Israel and Egypt.

5. Plague on Livestock

Exodus 9:1–7

What Happened

• Horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep, and goats died.
• Israel’s livestock remained unharmed.

Egyptian Background

• Sacred animals included:
  • Apis (bull god)
  • Hathor (cow goddess)
  • Mnevis (sacred bull of Heliopolis)

Impact

• Economic devastation.
• Religious humiliation of animal deities.

6. Plague of Boils

Exodus 9:8–12

Hebrew Term

Shechin — boils, inflamed sores.

What Happened

• Ash thrown into the air became dust causing painful boils on humans and animals.

Egyptian Background

• Priests could not serve while unclean.
• Healing gods like Sekhmet, Serapis, and Imhotep were powerless.

Impact

• Even magicians were incapacitated.

7. Plague of Hail and Fire

Exodus 9:13–35

What Happened

• A storm of hail mixed with fire (lightning).
• Destroyed crops, trees, and people/animals left outdoors.
• Goshen was spared.

Egyptian Background

• Egypt rarely saw storms; this was supernatural.
• Gods of weather (e.g., Nut, Shu, Tefnut) were challenged.

Impact

• First plague where some Egyptians obeyed God’s warning.

8. Plague of Locusts

Exodus 10:1–20

What Happened

• Locusts devoured all vegetation left after the hail.

Egyptian Background

• Locust swarms were feared historically.
• The god Seth was associated with storms and chaos but offered no protection.

Impact

• Total agricultural collapse.

9. Plague of Darkness

Exodus 10:21–29

Hebrew Term

Choshekh — thick, oppressive darkness.

What Happened

• Darkness for three days.
• Egyptians could not move; Israel had light.

Egyptian Background

• Direct attack on Ra, the sun god, and Horus, god of the sky.
• Pharaoh was considered the “son of Ra.”

Impact

• Symbolic overthrow of Egypt’s highest deity.

10. Death of the Firstborn

Exodus 11–12

What Happened

• Firstborn of humans and animals died.
• Israel was protected by the Passover lamb’s blood.

Egyptian Background

• Pharaoh’s firstborn was considered divine.
• This plague struck the heart of Egyptian identity and religion.

Impact

• Pharaoh finally released Israel.
• Instituted Passover, central to Jewish identity.

ADDITIONAL RICH DETAILS

A. Structure of the Plagues

The plagues come in three cycles of three, with the tenth standing alone:

• Plagues 1–3: water, land, air
• Plagues 4–6: distinction between Israel and Egypt
• Plagues 7–9: cosmic-level judgments
• Plague 10: decisive judgment

B. Purpose of the Plagues

Repeated phrases in Exodus:

• “That you may know that I am the LORD.”
• “That Egypt may know.”
• “That Israel may know.”

C. The Plagues as a Direct Challenge to Egyptian Gods

Each plague undermines a specific deity or domain:

• Nile gods
• Fertility gods
• Healing gods
• Weather gods
• Sun god
• Pharaoh himself

D. The Plagues as Reversal of Creation

Genesis 1 brings order from chaos. The plagues reverse creation:

• Water becomes death
• Light becomes darkness
• Life becomes death