Exodus · around about 1446 BC
Plague of Flies
Plague of Flies is recorded in Exodus and falls around about 1446 BC. Below is what happened, where it fits, and the full text.
about 1446 BCmedium
What happened
Swarms of flies fill Egypt but spare Goshen where the Israelites live.
Where it fits on the timeline
The flies come in the fourth plague, after the gnats and before the livestock die (Exodus 8:20-32; Exodus 9:1-7; Exodus 8:16-19).
The passage
Exodus 8:20-32
The LORD said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; behold, he comes out to the water; and tell him, ‘This is what the LORD says, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. Else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you, and on your servants, and on your people, and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground they are on. I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, to the end you may know that I am the LORD on the earth. I will put a division between my people and your people. This sign shall happen by tomorrow.”’” The LORD did so; and there came grievous swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses. In all the land of Egypt the land was corrupted by reason of the swarms of flies. Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God in the land!” Moses said, “It isn’t appropriate to do so; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God. Behold, if we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, won’t they stone us? We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us.” Pharaoh said, “I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness, only you shall not go very far away. Pray for me.” Moses said, “Behold, I am going out from you. I will pray to the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow; only don’t let Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.” Moses went out from Pharaoh, and prayed to the LORD. The LORD did according to the word of Moses, and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. There remained not one. Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he didn’t let the people go.
Psalm 78:45
He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
Psalm 105:31
He spoke, and swarms of flies came, and lice in all their borders.
Scripture references
Exodus 8:20-32; Psalm 78:45; Psalm 105:31
Before and after
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