Frog
Jump to: Smith'sATSISBEEaston'sWebster'sConcordanceThesaurusGreekHebrewLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, frogs are primarily mentioned in the context of the plagues of Egypt, serving as a symbol of divine judgment and a demonstration of God's power over creation. The most notable reference to frogs is found in the book of Exodus, where they are the second of the ten plagues that God inflicts upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage.

Exodus and the Plague of Frogs

The account of the plague of frogs is detailed in Exodus 8:1-15. God commands Moses to go to Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites. When Pharaoh refuses, God instructs Moses to stretch out his hand over the waters of Egypt, causing frogs to come up and cover the land. The Berean Standard Bible describes this event as follows:

"So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt." (Exodus 8:6)

The frogs invaded Egyptian homes, bedrooms, and even their kitchens, becoming a source of great distress. Pharaoh, overwhelmed by the nuisance, pleads with Moses and Aaron to pray to the Lord to remove the frogs, promising to let the Israelites go. Moses agrees, and the frogs die, leaving the land reeking with their decaying bodies. Despite this, Pharaoh hardens his heart and refuses to let the Israelites go, setting the stage for further plagues.

Symbolism and Significance

In the biblical narrative, frogs symbolize uncleanliness and chaos, disrupting the order of Egyptian life and demonstrating the impotence of Egypt's gods compared to the God of Israel. The Egyptians revered the frog-headed goddess Heqet, associated with fertility and childbirth. The inundation of frogs can be seen as a direct challenge to this deity, showcasing the supremacy of the God of Israel over the Egyptian pantheon.

Frogs in the Book of Revelation

Frogs are also mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the book of Revelation, where they are associated with demonic spirits. Revelation 16:13-14 states:

"And I saw three unclean spirits that looked like frogs coming out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. These are demonic spirits that perform signs and go out to all the kings of the earth to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty."

In this apocalyptic context, frogs symbolize deceit and the gathering of forces opposed to God, further emphasizing their negative connotations within the biblical framework.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The presence of frogs in the biblical text serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the futility of opposing His will. The plagues, including the plague of frogs, illustrate the consequences of hard-heartedness and disobedience to God. They also highlight the theme of deliverance, as God uses these miraculous signs to liberate His people from slavery.

In summary, frogs in the Bible are emblematic of divine judgment, chaos, and spiritual warfare, serving as a testament to God's power and the ultimate triumph of His purposes.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Frog

a well-known amphibious animal of the genus Rana . The mention of this reptile in the Old Testament is confined to the passage in (Exodus 8:2-7) etc., in which the plague of frogs is described, and to (Psalms 78:45; 105:30) In the New Testament the word occurs once only, in (Revelation 16:13) There is no question as to the animal meant. The only known species of frog which occurs at present in Egypt is the Rana esculenta , the edible frog of the continent.

ATS Bible Dictionary
Frog

A well known amphibious animal, famous in connection with the plagues in Egypt, Exodus 8:1-14. The magicians are said to have brought up frogs upon the land by their enchantments; but as they could not remove them, it is clear that they did not actually produce them. They penetrated everywhere-to the beds of the Egyptians, which were near the ground; and to their ovens, which were cavities in the ground.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Hebrews tsepharde'a, meaning a "marsh-leaper"). This reptile is mentioned in the Old Testament only in connection with one of the plagues which fell on the land of Egypt (Exodus 8:2-14; Psalm 78:45; 105:30).

In the New Testament this word occurs only in Revelation 16:13, where it is referred to as a symbol of uncleanness. The only species of frog existing in Palestine is the green frog (Rana esculenta), the well-known edible frog of the Continent.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) An amphibious animal of the genus Rana and related genera, of many species. Frogs swim rapidly, and take long leaps on land. Many of the species utter loud notes in the springtime.

2. (n.) The triangular prominence of the hoof, in the middle of the sole of the foot of the horse, and other animals; the fourchette.

3. (n.) A supporting plate having raised ribs that form continuations of the rails, to guide the wheels where one track branches from another or crosses it.

4. (n.) An oblong cloak button, covered with netted thread, and fastening into a loop instead of a button hole.

5. (n.) The loop of the scabbard of a bayonet or sword.

6. (v. t.) To ornament or fasten (a coat, etc.) with trogs. See Frog, n., 4.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FROG

(tsephardea`; compare Arabic dafda` (Exodus 8:2 Psalm 78:45; Psalm 105:30); batrachos (Revelation 16:13)): The references in Psalms, as well as in Exodus, are to the plague of flogs. In Revelation 16:13 we have, "And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, as it were frogs." The word tsephardea` probably referred both to frogs and to toads, as does the Arabic dafda`. In Palestine and Syria Rana esculenta, Bufo viridis and Hyla arborea are common. According to Mr. Michael J. Nicoll, assistant director of the Zoological Gardens at Gizah, near Cairo, the commonest Egyptian species are Rana mascariensis and Bufo regularis. Rana esculenta, Bufo viridis and Bufo vittatus are also found, but are much less common.

Alfred Ely Day

Greek
944. batrachos -- a frog
... a frog. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: batrachos Phonetic Spelling:
(bat'-rakh-os) Short Definition: a frog Definition: a frog. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/944.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
6854. tsephardea -- frogs
... frog. From tsaphar and a word elsewhere unused meaning a swamp; a marsh-leaper,
ie Frog -- frog. see HEBREW tsaphar. 6853, 6854. tsephardea. 6855 . ...
/hebrew/6854.htm - 6k
Library

Moreover, Since Celsus Asserts that "The Soul is the Work of God.. ...
... God, but that the nature of body is different; and that in this respect there is
no difference between the body of a bat, or of a worm, or of a frog, and that ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lvi moreover since celsus.htm

The Use of the Symbolic Style by Poets and Philosophers.
... as Pherecydes of Syros relates, sent to Darius, on his passing the Ister in threat
of war, a symbol, instead of a letter, consisting of a mouse, a frog, a bird ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter viii the use of the.htm

The Plagues of Egypt
... If any man here says that anything is too hard for the Lord, let him go this day
to the nearest standing pool, and look at the frog-spawn therein, and consider ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon x the plagues of.htm

In the Sod Cellar
... in about three minutes; or told him the story of how a man once ran a needle and
thread that had been dipped in the poison through the skin of a frog and of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byrum/how john became a man/chapter ii in the sod.htm

The Ethics of Elfland
... The question was, "What did the first frog say?" And the answer was, "Lord, how
you made me jump!" That says succinctly all that I am saying. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/iv the ethics of elfland.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... kingdoms which subsequently arose; and the third, of the eastern Roman empire"now
the Mohamedan power; the mouths of each, from which the frog-like spirits ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

The Philosophers
... 341. The account of the pike and frog of Liancourt. They do it always, and
never otherwise, nor any other thing showing mind. 342. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section vi the philosophers.htm

1 to Pray Does not Imply that Without Prayer God Would not Give us ...
... But no such thing! He stand there motionless for hours, but the moment he catches
sight of a frog or small fish he springs upon it and gulps it down. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section ii 1 to pray.htm

False Profession.
... and for Baal too: he can be any thing for any company; he can throw stones with
both hands; his religion alters as fast as his company; he is a frog of Egypt ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xx false profession.htm

A Reign of Terror
... dull in intellect, timid in action, feeble in speech; muter,' says the lively Palladius,
than a fish, and less competent for business than a frog.' Rumour said ...
/.../gathering clouds a tale of the days of st chrysostom/chapter liv a reign of.htm

Thesaurus
Frog (2 Occurrences)
... The only species of frog existing in Palestine is the green frog (Rana esculenta),
the well-known edible frog of the Continent. ... See Frog, n., 4. Int. ...
/f/frog.htm - 9k

Croak (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To make a low, hoarse noise in the throat, as
a frog, a raven, or a crow; hence, to make any hoarse, dismal sound. ...
/c/croak.htm - 7k

Hopper (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (n.) A game. See Hopscotch. 5. (n.) See Grasshopper, and Frog hopper, Grape hopper,
Leaf hopper, Tree hopper, under Frog, Grape, Leaf, and Tree. ...
/h/hopper.htm - 7k

Frogs (14 Occurrences)

/f/frogs.htm - 10k

Frock

/f/frock.htm - 7k

Plagues (28 Occurrences)
... Spawn in the mud is hatched by the sun, and the marshes are filled with myriads
of these creatures. The frog was the hieroglyph for myriads. ...
/p/plagues.htm - 44k

Zoology
... Adder, Asp, Vipet (sv SERPENT) LACERTILIA: Lizard, Great Lizard, Gecko, Chameleon,
Land Crocodile, Sand Lizard (sv LIZARD) Amphibians: Frog Fishes: Fish (in ...
/z/zoology.htm - 18k

Thrush (2 Occurrences)
... See Aphthae. 4. (n.) An inflammatory and supportive affection of the feet in certain
animals. In the horse it is in the frog. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/t/thrush.htm - 7k

Destroyeth (38 Occurrences)
... (See JPS YLT). Psalms 78:45 He sendeth among them the beetle, and it consumeth
them, And the frog, and it destroyeth them, (YLT). ...
/d/destroyeth.htm - 17k

Beetle (7 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT). Psalms 78:45 He sendeth among them the beetle, and it consumeth
them, And the frog, and it destroyeth them, (YLT). ...
/b/beetle.htm - 10k

Resources
What was the meaning and purpose of the ten plagues of Egypt? | GotQuestions.org

What is the difference between Microevolution and Macroevolution? | GotQuestions.org

Frog: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Frog (2 Occurrences)

Exodus 8:6
Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 78:45
He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Frog

Related Terms

Frog (2 Occurrences)

Officials (229 Occurrences)

Plagues (28 Occurrences)

Bondmen (117 Occurrences)

Intreat (13 Occurrences)

Teemed (4 Occurrences)

Bedrooms (2 Occurrences)

Supplication (71 Occurrences)

Stretched (234 Occurrences)

Nile (37 Occurrences)

Entreat (55 Occurrences)

River (189 Occurrences)

Plague (142 Occurrences)

Aaron (343 Occurrences)

Bedchamber (6 Occurrences)

Houses (308 Occurrences)

Aside (416 Occurrences)

Egypt (596 Occurrences)

Villages (106 Occurrences)

Kneadingtroughs (2 Occurrences)

Kneading-troughs (2 Occurrences)

Kite (3 Occurrences)

Kneading (7 Occurrences)

Ovens (3 Occurrences)

Onto (22 Occurrences)

Waterways (5 Occurrences)

Wonder-workers (16 Occurrences)

Inflicted (20 Occurrences)

Issuing (5 Occurrences)

Inner-chamber (2 Occurrences)

Flashings (5 Occurrences)

Frolic (3 Occurrences)

Forum (1 Occurrence)

Troughs (5 Occurrences)

Teem (4 Occurrences)

Resembling (19 Occurrences)

Rid (39 Occurrences)

Refusing (21 Occurrences)

Rivers (81 Occurrences)

Enchantments (12 Occurrences)

Devastated (20 Occurrences)

Dog-flies (6 Occurrences)

Magicians (16 Occurrences)

Pools (15 Occurrences)

Ponds (6 Occurrences)

Poisoning (2 Occurrences)

Bowls (47 Occurrences)

Beautify (10 Occurrences)

Bread-basins (1 Occurrence)

Bittern (4 Occurrences)

Bedroom (8 Occurrences)

Bedstead (1 Occurrence)

Bed-chamber (6 Occurrences)

Courtyards (4 Occurrences)

Crieth (47 Occurrences)

Canals (5 Occurrences)

Agreed (31 Occurrences)

Appii (1 Occurrence)

Arts (48 Occurrences)

Swarmed (3 Occurrences)

Spaces (15 Occurrences)

Swarm (26 Occurrences)

Streams (80 Occurrences)

Smiting (76 Occurrences)

Stork (6 Occurrences)

Swarms (18 Occurrences)

Sorceries (11 Occurrences)

Border (233 Occurrences)

Borders (104 Occurrences)

Flies (16 Occurrences)

Causing (248 Occurrences)

Devoured (81 Occurrences)

Bed (142 Occurrences)

Stretch (73 Occurrences)

Smite (230 Occurrences)

Summoned (103 Occurrences)

Issue (59 Occurrences)

Setting (82 Occurrences)

Frock
Top of Page
Top of Page