Topical Bible: Reptiles: Frog

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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 invade every part of Egyptian life, entering homes, bedrooms, and even kitchens, becoming a source of great distress for the Egyptians. Pharaoh, overwhelmed by the infestation, 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 release the Israelites.

Symbolism and Interpretation

In the biblical narrative, frogs are used as instruments of God's judgment. Their sudden and overwhelming presence serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the futility of resisting His will. The plague of frogs, like the other plagues, demonstrates God's power over the Egyptian gods and the natural world, as frogs were associated with the Egyptian goddess Heqet, a symbol of fertility and renewal.

Theologically, the plague of frogs can be seen as a manifestation of God's justice and a call to repentance. It underscores the theme of divine retribution against those who oppose God's purposes and highlights the importance of obedience to His commands.

Frogs in Other Biblical Contexts

Frogs are mentioned again in the book of Revelation, where they are associated with unclean 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 vision, frogs symbolize deceit and demonic influence, serving as agents of chaos and opposition to God's final judgment. This imagery reinforces the negative connotations associated with frogs in the biblical tradition, portraying them as creatures linked to impurity and spiritual corruption.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, frogs were often associated with fertility and life due to their connection to water and their prolific breeding. However, in the biblical context, their role is primarily negative, serving as a tool of divine punishment and a symbol of spiritual uncleanness.

The biblical portrayal of frogs reflects the broader theme of God's dominion over creation and His ability to use even the smallest creatures to accomplish His purposes. Through the plague of frogs, God demonstrates His power to disrupt the natural order and challenge the authority of earthly rulers, ultimately affirming His sovereignty and the inevitability of His divine plan.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 8:2
And if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all your borders with frogs:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Educational Value of the Natural History Sciences.
... to define a beast from a reptile, and he cannot do it; but he says, things like
a cow or a horse are beasts, and things like a frog or a lizard are reptiles. ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/v on the educational value.htm

The Evolution of a Mother
... The herring and the cod give birth to a million ova, the frog spawns eggs by the
thousand, and ... When we pass on to the Reptiles, the figures fall into hundreds. ...
/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter viii the evolution of.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... of the Reptiles- Supplement to the Description de AEgypte. ... Sometimes water springs
from his breast; sometimes he presents a frog, or libation vases; or holds a ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

The Origin of Species.
... is a newt's, and never by any accident more like that of a frog. ... The crocodilian
reptiles which existed in the earliest secondary epoch were similar in general ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/xii the origin of species.htm