Exodus 8:16-19·~1 min

The Third Plague: Gnats

The LORD tells Aaron to strike the dust, and the dust of the earth becomes gnats throughout Egypt. What lies underfoot rises against man and beast alike.

T¹⁶hen the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may turn into swarms of gnats throughout the land of Egypt.’” ¹⁷This they did, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, gnats came upon man and beast. All the dust of the earth turned into gnats throughout the land of Egypt.

The magicians try and fail to produce gnats, then tell Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." Even so, Pharaoh’s heart remains hard, and he does not listen.

¹⁸The magicians tried to produce gnats using their magic arts, but they could not. And the gnats remained on man and beast. ¹⁹“This is the finger of God,” the magicians said to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.

Section summaryAt the LORD’s word, dust becomes gnats throughout Egypt and settles on both people and animals. This time the magicians fail and admit that the sign comes from God, yet Pharaoh still does not listen.

Role in the chapterThis short section marks a turning point in the plague cycle. The magicians can no longer match the sign, so Pharaoh’s refusal now stands even against testimony from his own court.