Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They did this, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with the staff and struck the dust of the ground, gnats came on people and animals. All the dust throughout the land of Egypt became gnats. New Living Translation So Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded them. When Aaron raised his hand and struck the ground with his staff, gnats infested the entire land, covering the Egyptians and their animals. All the dust in the land of Egypt turned into gnats. English Standard Version And they did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats in all the land of Egypt. Berean Standard Bible This they did, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, gnats came upon man and beast. All the dust of the earth turned into gnats throughout the land of Egypt. King James Bible And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. New King James Version And they did so. For Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast. All the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. New American Standard Bible They did so; and Aaron extended his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on every person and animal. All the dust of the earth turned into gnats through all the land of Egypt. NASB 1995 They did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats through all the land of Egypt. NASB 1977 And they did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats through all the land of Egypt. Legacy Standard Bible And they did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats through all the land of Egypt. Amplified Bible They did so; Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were [biting] gnats on man and animal. All the dust of the land became gnats through all the land of Egypt. Christian Standard Bible And they did this. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff, and when he struck the dust of the land, gnats were on people and animals. All the dust of the land became gnats throughout the land of Egypt. Holman Christian Standard Bible And they did this. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff, and when he struck the dust of the earth, gnats were on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats throughout the land of Egypt. American Standard Version And they did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and there were lice upon man, and upon beast; all the dust of the earth became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. Contemporary English Version They obeyed, and when Aaron struck the ground with the stick, gnats started swarming on people and animals. In fact, every speck of dust in Egypt turned into a gnat. English Revised Version And they did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and there were lice upon man, and upon beast; all the dust of the earth became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. GOD'S WORD® Translation When Moses told him, Aaron held out the staff in his hand and struck the dust on the ground. It turned into gnats that bit people and animals. All the dust on the ground everywhere in Egypt turned into gnats. Good News Translation So Aaron struck the ground with his stick, and all the dust in Egypt was turned into gnats, which covered the people and the animals. International Standard Version They did this. Aaron stretched his hand out with his staff, struck the dust of the land, and gnats came on people and animals—all the dust of the ground became gnats throughout the land of Egypt. NET Bible They did so; Aaron extended his hand with his staff, he struck the dust of the ground, and it became gnats on people and on animals. All the dust of the ground became gnats throughout all the land of Egypt. New Heart English Bible They did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were lice on man, and on animal; all the dust of the earth became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. Webster's Bible Translation And they did so: for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThis they did, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, gnats came upon man and beast. All the dust of the earth turned into gnats throughout the land of Egypt. World English Bible They did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were lice on man, and on animal; all the dust of the earth became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd they do so, and Aaron stretches out his hand with his rod, and strikes the dust of the land, and the gnats are on man and on beast; all the dust of the land has been gnats in all the land of Egypt. Young's Literal Translation And they do so, and Aaron stretcheth out his hand with his rod, and smiteth the dust of the land, and the gnats are on man and on beast; all the dust of the land hath been gnats in all the land of Egypt. Smith's Literal Translation Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd they did so. And Aaron stretched forth his hand, holding the rod: and he struck the dust of the earth, and there came sciniphs on men and on beasts: all the dust of the earth was turned into sciniphs through all the land of Egypt. Catholic Public Domain Version And they did so. And Aaron extended his hand, holding the staff, and he struck the dust of the earth, and there came stinging insects upon men and upon beasts. All the dust of the earth was turned into stinging insects through all the land of Egypt. New American Bible They did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and gnats came upon human being and beast alike. All the dust of the earth turned into gnats throughout the land of Egypt. New Revised Standard Version And they did so; Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and gnats came on humans and animals alike; all the dust of the earth turned into gnats throughout the whole land of Egypt. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he did so; and Aaron lifted up his hand with his staff and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice on men and on cattle; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he did so, and Aaron lifted his hand with his staff and he struck the dust of the ground and there were lice on the children of men and on the animals; all the dust of the land became itself lice in all the land of Egypt. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And they did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and there were gnats upon man, and upon beast; all the dust of the earth became gnats throughout all the land of Egypt. Brenton Septuagint Translation So Aaron stretched out his rod with his hand, and smote the dust of the earth; and the lice were on men and on quadrupeds, and in all the dust of the earth there were lice. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Third Plague: Gnats16Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may turn into swarms of gnats throughout the land of Egypt.’ ” 17This they did, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, gnats came upon man and beast. All the dust of the earth turned into gnats throughout the land of Egypt. 18The magicians tried to produce gnats using their magic arts, but they could not. And the gnats remained on man and beast.… Cross References Psalm 105:31 He spoke, and insects swarmed—gnats throughout their country. Revelation 16:2 So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and loathsome, malignant sores broke out on those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Matthew 12:28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Luke 11:20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Acts 8:7 With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed. 2 Timothy 3:8-9 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith. / But they will not advance much further. For just like Jannes and Jambres, their folly will be plain to everyone. John 12:37-40 Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. / This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” / For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: ... Romans 9:17-18 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” / Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, ... Mark 3:22-27 And the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and, “By the prince of the demons He drives out demons.” / So Jesus called them together and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? / If a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand. ... Isaiah 51:9-10 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon? / Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over? Deuteronomy 7:19 the great trials that you saw, the signs and wonders, and the mighty hand and outstretched arm by which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear. Joshua 24:5 Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and afterward I brought you out. Nehemiah 9:10 You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day. Psalm 78:43-45 when He performed His signs in Egypt and His wonders in the fields of Zoan. / He turned their rivers to blood, and from their streams they could not drink. / He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them. Treasury of Scripture And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. lice in man Psalm 105:31 He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts. Isaiah 23:9 The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth. Acts 12:23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. Jump to Previous Aaron Animal Beast Dust Earth Egypt Gnats Ground Hand Lice Rod Smote Staff Stretched Struck ThroughoutJump to Next Aaron Animal Beast Dust Earth Egypt Gnats Ground Hand Lice Rod Smote Staff Stretched Struck ThroughoutExodus 8 1. Frogs are sent8. Pharaoh complains to Moses, who by prayer removes them 16. The dust is turned into lice, which the magicians could not do 20. The plague of flies 25. Pharaoh inclines to let the people go, but yet is hardened This they did This phrase refers to the obedience of Moses and Aaron to God's command. It highlights the importance of following divine instructions precisely, a recurring theme in the Bible. This obedience is a model for believers, emphasizing trust in God's plan. and when Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth gnats came upon man and beast All the dust of the earth turned into gnats throughout the land of Egypt Persons / Places / Events 1. AaronBrother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. He acts as Moses' spokesperson and performs miracles by God's command. 2. Moses The leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. He communicates God's commands to Pharaoh. 3. Pharaoh The ruler of Egypt who refuses to let the Israelites go, leading to a series of plagues as a demonstration of God's power. 4. Egypt The land where the Israelites are enslaved. It becomes the stage for God's miraculous signs and wonders. 5. Gnats The third plague sent by God upon Egypt. The Hebrew word for "gnats" can also be translated as "lice" or "mosquitoes," indicating a small, irritating insect. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over CreationThe transformation of dust into gnats demonstrates God's absolute control over nature. He can use the smallest elements of creation to fulfill His purposes. Judgment and Mercy The plagues serve as both judgment against Egypt and a call to repentance. God's actions are just, yet He provides opportunities for Pharaoh to relent. The Power of Obedience Aaron's obedience in stretching out his hand with the staff is a reminder of the power of following God's commands. Our actions, when aligned with God's will, can lead to significant outcomes. Spiritual Warfare The plagues can be seen as a spiritual battle between the God of Israel and the gods of Egypt. It reminds us of the spiritual battles we face and the assurance of victory through God's power. The Hardness of Heart Pharaoh's continued resistance despite the plagues highlights the danger of a hardened heart. It serves as a warning to remain open to God's voice and correction. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 8:17?2. How does Exodus 8:17 demonstrate God's power over creation and nature? 3. What can we learn about obedience to God from Exodus 8:17? 4. How does Exodus 8:17 connect with God's sovereignty in Genesis 1:1? 5. How should believers respond when witnessing God's power, as seen in Exodus 8:17? 6. What does Exodus 8:17 teach about the consequences of hardening one's heart? 7. How does Exodus 8:17 demonstrate God's power over nature? 8. What historical evidence supports the events described in Exodus 8:17? 9. How do scholars interpret the significance of the plague in Exodus 8:17? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 8? 11. What events occur in the biblical book of Exodus? 12. What were the Ten Plagues of Egypt in the Bible? 13. What were the key events in Aaron's life? 14. Exodus 8:16–17: Does turning dust into gnats literally make sense, or is this a later embellishment? What Does Exodus 8:17 Mean This they did,- Moses had just relayed the LORD’s command, and “Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded them” (Exodus 7:6). - Their prompt obedience models faith that takes God at His word, a theme echoed later when Israel finally follows Joshua into the land (Joshua 1:16). - Every plague begins with this kind of trust, contrasting later moments of hesitation, such as Numbers 20:12 when Moses failed to uphold the LORD’s holiness. and when Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff - The staff, first identified in Exodus 4:2–4, is the visible sign that the power at work is divine, not human. - Stretching out the hand shows delegated authority; compare Exodus 7:19 where Aaron raises the staff over the Nile, and Exodus 17:11 where Moses’ raised hands affect Israel’s battle. - God often chooses ordinary objects—a staff, a sling (1 Samuel 17:40), five loaves (John 6:9)—to display extraordinary power. and struck the dust of the earth - Dust recalls humanity’s origin: “for dust you are” (Genesis 3:19). Now that same dust becomes an instrument of judgment, underscoring God’s control over creation. - Similar imagery appears in Exodus 9:8, where furnace soot becomes boils, and Deuteronomy 28:24, where dust replaces rain in covenant curses. - Striking the dust also ensures the plague’s reach; dust is everywhere, so nothing can hide. gnats came upon man and beast. - Tiny yet tormenting, gnats assault both people and livestock, showing that the plague spares no one; compare the boils of Exodus 9:10 and the hail of 9:25. - Psalm 78:45 recalls, “He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them,” linking the gnats to God’s broader acts of judgment. - The inclusion of animals previews the later death of the firstborn of both man and beast (Exodus 11:5), revealing an escalating pattern. All the dust of the earth turned into gnats - The wording stresses totality and literal transformation, leaving no room for coincidence or trickery. - Egypt’s magicians, who mimicked earlier signs, now confess, “This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19), highlighting the uniqueness of the miracle. - The phrase “dust of the earth” echoes Genesis 13:16, where God promises Abram offspring as plentiful as dust, reminding readers that God alone multiplies or diminishes at will. throughout the land of Egypt. - The plague is nationwide; no province is exempt. Later, in Exodus 8:22, God will set apart Goshen, emphasizing both judgment and mercy. - Universal reach mirrors later plagues like the locusts that “covered the face of all the land” (Exodus 10:14) and the darkness that enveloped “all the land of Egypt” (10:22). - By touching every corner of Egypt, the LORD exposes the impotence of Egypt’s gods (Exodus 12:12) and calls the nation to acknowledge Him. summary Exodus 8:17 records immediate obedience by Moses and Aaron, the display of divine authority through an ordinary staff, the transformation of ubiquitous dust into tormenting gnats, the affliction of both humans and animals, and the sweeping reach of God’s judgment across Egypt. The event demonstrates God’s absolute sovereignty over creation, His ability to use the smallest agents to humble the proud, and His purpose of revealing Himself as the one true LORD. Verse 17. - And in beast. Kalisch notes that mosquitoes - molest especially beasts, as oxen and horses, flying into their eyes and nostrils, driving them to madness and fury, and sometimes even torturing them to death." He quotes Theodoret, Hist. Ecclesiastes 8:26.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew This they did,וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־ (way·ya·‘ă·śū-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 6213: To do, make and when Aaron אַהֲרֹ֨ן (’a·hă·rōn) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses stretched out וַיֵּט֩ (way·yêṭ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend his hand יָד֤וֹ (yā·ḏōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3027: A hand with his staff בְמַטֵּ֙הוּ֙ (ḇə·maṭ·ṭê·hū) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe and struck וַיַּךְ֙ (way·yaḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5221: To strike the dust עֲפַ֣ר (‘ă·p̄ar) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6083: Dust, clay, earth, mud of the earth, הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land gnats הַכִּנָּ֔ם (hak·kin·nām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3654: Gnat, gnats, a gnat swarm came upon וַתְּהִי֙ (wat·tə·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be man בָּאָדָ֖ם (bā·’ā·ḏām) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being and beast. וּבַבְּהֵמָ֑ה (ū·ḇab·bə·hê·māh) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal All כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the dust עֲפַ֥ר (‘ă·p̄ar) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6083: Dust, clay, earth, mud of the earth הָאָ֛רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land turned into הָיָ֥ה (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be gnats כִנִּ֖ים (ḵin·nîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3654: Gnat, gnats, a gnat swarm throughout בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the land אֶ֥רֶץ (’e·reṣ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 776: Earth, land of Egypt. מִצְרָֽיִם׃ (miṣ·rā·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa Links Exodus 8:17 NIVExodus 8:17 NLT Exodus 8:17 ESV Exodus 8:17 NASB Exodus 8:17 KJV Exodus 8:17 BibleApps.com Exodus 8:17 Biblia Paralela Exodus 8:17 Chinese Bible Exodus 8:17 French Bible Exodus 8:17 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 8:17 They did so (Exo. 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