Frogs: Symbolical
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, frogs are primarily associated with the plagues of Egypt and are mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. Their symbolic significance is often tied to themes of judgment, impurity, and divine intervention.

Old Testament Context

The most prominent mention of frogs occurs in the Book of Exodus, where they are the second of the ten plagues that God inflicts upon Egypt. In Exodus 8:1-4 , the Lord commands Moses to tell Pharaoh, "Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. But if you refuse to let them go, I will plague your whole country with frogs. The Nile will teem with frogs. They will come up into your palace and your bedroom, onto your bed, into the houses of your officials and your people, and into your ovens and kneading bowls." This plague demonstrates God's power over creation and serves as a judgment against the Egyptian gods, particularly Heket, the frog-headed goddess of fertility and childbirth. The overwhelming presence of frogs symbolizes the futility of relying on false deities and the supremacy of the God of Israel.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, frogs appear in the apocalyptic imagery of the Book of Revelation. 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." Here, frogs symbolize unclean spirits and deceit, emphasizing the spiritual warfare and deception that characterize the end times. The imagery of frogs as unclean spirits aligns with their Old Testament association with impurity and chaos.

Symbolism and Interpretation

Throughout Scripture, frogs are emblematic of impurity and divine judgment. Their sudden and overwhelming presence in Egypt serves as a tangible sign of God's displeasure and a call to repentance. In Revelation, their association with demonic spirits underscores the ongoing battle between good and evil, highlighting the deceptive nature of Satan's forces.

Frogs, therefore, serve as a powerful symbol of God's authority over creation and His ability to use even the smallest creatures to fulfill His divine purposes. They remind believers of the importance of faithfulness and the consequences of turning away from God's commands.
Nave's Topical Index
Revelation 16:13
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Use of the Symbolic Style by Poets and Philosophers.
... also such of other barbarians as prosecuted philosophy, that affected the symbolical
style. ... birds, or like mice get below the earth, or like frogs beneath the ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter viii the use of the.htm

Faustus Avows his Disbelief in the Old Testament and his Disregard ...
... is no longer binding as an act of worship, while it retains its symbolical authority. ...
Besides, there are the frogs produced by the earth after a shower of rain ...
/.../faustus avows his disbelief in.htm

The Introduction: Chapter 1
... but realities used as symbols; and what they are symbolical of we ... Eyes," spirits;
"Incense odours," prayers of saints; "Dragon," Satan; "Frogs," unclean spirits ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the introduction chapter 1.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... Euphrates dried up. 3 spirits like Frogs. Armageddon. xvi.17"xviii.24. Vial VII. ...
Some are half symbolical and half literal. Others are wholly ridiculous. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

Resources
What are evil spirits? | GotQuestions.org

What are the seven bowls/vials of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

Surviving the end times - what do I need to know? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Frogs: Plague of
Top of Page
Top of Page