All the dust throughout the land of Egypt became gnats. Fleas, aphids, lice, mosquitoes and gnats abound in great numbers in certain areas. The third plague of the 10 plagues that the God of the Israelites sent as judgment upon Egypt, through Aaron, was gnats (or lice), as recorded in the book of Exodus. They would even creep into the eyes and nose.130
It is impossible to determine what particular troublesome insect pest of Egypt is meant by the third plague, whether body-lice or mosquitoes or sandflies or ticks or fleas. (n.) pl. This plague would affect both Egyptians and Jews alike. Mr. How small a matter the Lord used to bring confusion upon these magicians! As soon as God restrained them, they were helpless. Harmer supposes he has found out the true meaning in the word tarrentes, a species of worm. 8:16–17)
They did this, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with the staff and struck the dust of the ground, a swarm of insects came upon men and animals. All the dust throughout the land of Egypt became a mixture of insects (8:17-18). In one medical papyrus, cat grease was said to be effective in combating rats, and fish spawn against fleas.131
Concerning this plague we read, “and the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not” (8:18). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary1. Some translations use the word lice, while others use vermin, or maggots, or fleas, or sand flies, or mosquitoes, or gnats. The third plague was so great that neither men nor animals were spared. In this plague, all the dust of Egypt becomes a swarm of gnats/lice. Not any one particular insect, but swarms of many kinds of insects so small as to be hardly visible to the eye but with a very irritating and painful sting. Small insects have always been a problem in Egypt. Turn water into blood, and bring forth frogs, they might, by God’s permission; but when He withheld permission they were impotent. The ancient Egyptians constructed many devices in an attempt to get relief from them such as ostrich plumes on the end of a stick that would be waved by servants to keep insects away from the faces of the king and lords. Thus it is with Satan himself. Bochart, however, seems to have proved that lice, and not gnats, are meant; because,
Some have supposed that the word denotes not lice properly, but gnats. Those who have experience of these pests in Egypt are quite ready to accept any of them as adequate for the plague. But the Hebrew word kinnim simply means mixture, and refers to a swarm of insects. Others, with greater probability, take it to mean the "tick" which is much larger than lice.
lice. The Egyptian god this plague insulted was Seth (an earth god) and perhaps others as well.
Some have supposed that the word denotes not lice properly, but gnats. All the dust of the earth became gnats through all the land of Egypt.…
16Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the ground, and throughout the land of Egypt the dust will become gnats.’” 17They did this, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with the staff and struck the dust of the ground, gnats came upon men and animals. Others, with greater probability, take it to mean the "tick" which is much larger than lice. Death he can inflict (by God’s permission), and uncleanness he can bring forth freely — as the “magicians” illustrated in the first two plagues; but with the Curse (which the “dust” becoming lice so plainly speaks of) he is not allowed to tamper with. Lice seem rather to be ruled out, unless different kinds of lice were sent, as there is no one kind that torments both man and beast.
The Third Plague: Gnats16Then the LORD said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become gnats through all the land of Egypt.'" 17They did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. His bounds are definitely prescribed by the Almighty, and beyond them he cannot go. Floors and walls were often washed with a solution of soda. (Ex. of Louse.
Then ADONAI said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the ground,’ and throughout the land of Egypt the dust will become gnats” (8:16).
It is impossible to determine what particular troublesome insect pest of Egypt is meant by the third plague, whether body-lice or mosquitoes or sandflies or ticks or fleas. (n.) pl. This plague would affect both Egyptians and Jews alike. Mr. How small a matter the Lord used to bring confusion upon these magicians! As soon as God restrained them, they were helpless. Harmer supposes he has found out the true meaning in the word tarrentes, a species of worm. 8:16–17)
They did this, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with the staff and struck the dust of the ground, a swarm of insects came upon men and animals. All the dust throughout the land of Egypt became a mixture of insects (8:17-18). In one medical papyrus, cat grease was said to be effective in combating rats, and fish spawn against fleas.131
Concerning this plague we read, “and the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not” (8:18). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary1. Some translations use the word lice, while others use vermin, or maggots, or fleas, or sand flies, or mosquitoes, or gnats. The third plague was so great that neither men nor animals were spared. In this plague, all the dust of Egypt becomes a swarm of gnats/lice. Not any one particular insect, but swarms of many kinds of insects so small as to be hardly visible to the eye but with a very irritating and painful sting. Small insects have always been a problem in Egypt. Turn water into blood, and bring forth frogs, they might, by God’s permission; but when He withheld permission they were impotent. The ancient Egyptians constructed many devices in an attempt to get relief from them such as ostrich plumes on the end of a stick that would be waved by servants to keep insects away from the faces of the king and lords. Thus it is with Satan himself. Bochart, however, seems to have proved that lice, and not gnats, are meant; because,
Some have supposed that the word denotes not lice properly, but gnats. Those who have experience of these pests in Egypt are quite ready to accept any of them as adequate for the plague. But the Hebrew word kinnim simply means mixture, and refers to a swarm of insects. Others, with greater probability, take it to mean the "tick" which is much larger than lice.
lice. The Egyptian god this plague insulted was Seth (an earth god) and perhaps others as well.
Some have supposed that the word denotes not lice properly, but gnats. All the dust of the earth became gnats through all the land of Egypt.…
16Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the ground, and throughout the land of Egypt the dust will become gnats.’” 17They did this, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with the staff and struck the dust of the ground, gnats came upon men and animals. Others, with greater probability, take it to mean the "tick" which is much larger than lice. Death he can inflict (by God’s permission), and uncleanness he can bring forth freely — as the “magicians” illustrated in the first two plagues; but with the Curse (which the “dust” becoming lice so plainly speaks of) he is not allowed to tamper with. Lice seem rather to be ruled out, unless different kinds of lice were sent, as there is no one kind that torments both man and beast.
The Third Plague: Gnats16Then the LORD said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become gnats through all the land of Egypt.'" 17They did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. His bounds are definitely prescribed by the Almighty, and beyond them he cannot go. Floors and walls were often washed with a solution of soda. (Ex. of Louse.
Then ADONAI said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the ground,’ and throughout the land of Egypt the dust will become gnats” (8:16).
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