The Plague of Gnats

The Plagues and the Passover · Egypt

Exodus 8:16–19

¹⁶Then the LORD told Moses, "Tell Aaron to stretch out his staff and strike the dust on the ground, so that it becomes lice throughout all of Egypt." ¹⁷They did it. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the ground. Lice swarmed over every person and animal — all the dust across Egypt turned into lice. ¹⁸The magicians tried to produce lice with their sorcery, but this time they couldn't do it. The lice covered people and animals alike. ¹⁹The magicians told Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart remained hard, and he refused to listen, just as the LORD had said.

Read Exodus 8

Up nextThe Plague of FliesExodus 8:20–32

About this event

What happened?

Aaron struck the dust of the ground with his staff, and the dust became gnats on people and animals all through Egypt. The magicians tried to do the same, but they could not. They told Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh's heart was hard, and he would not listen.

Who is here?

Aaron
Pharaoh's magicians
Pharaoh

Where did this happen?

Egypt

The land of the Nile River, southwest of Canaan. Israel was enslaved here until God brought them out under Moses. Later, Joseph took Mary and the child here to escape King Herod.

Where this fits

Event 3 of 11 in The Plagues and the Passover: God sends plagues on Egypt. After the first Passover, Pharaoh lets Israel go.

Also in:Signs and Wonders

Good to know

Older Bibles such as the KJV say “lice.” Newer ones say “gnats.”

Keep exploring

Before thisThe Plague of FrogsExodus 8:1–15 After thisThe Plague of FliesExodus 8:20–32

Moses' Story