Psalms 105:34 Meaning: God Speaks, and the Locusts Came Without Number
He spoke, and the locusts came with the grasshoppers, without number.
He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,
He spake, and the locust came, And the grasshopper, and that without number,
He hath said, and the locust cometh, And the cankerworm--innumerable,
He spoke, and the locust came, and the cankerworm, even without number;
Meaning in one sentence
See how Psalms 105:34 reveals God's power: with a word He summons locusts beyond counting, showing His authority over judgment and creation.
Context
Psalm 105 retells the story of God's covenant faithfulness to Israel, tracing His care from Abraham to the Promised Land. Verses 28 through 36 recount the plagues on Egypt, following their order in Exodus. Here at verse 34, the eighth plague arrives: locusts. The psalmist is not adding new information; he is shaping the memory so that God's power stands in plain view. After four verses on the locusts' devastating work, the plague of darkness and the death of the firstborn follow. The point is never the bug itself, it is the One who spoke it into being.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words carry the weight of this verse. First, 'He spoke' (amar) is the same word used when God said, 'Let there be light.' This is a command, not a casual remark. Second, 'locusts' (arbeh) and 'grasshoppers' (yeleq) point to two stages of the insect, the mature swarmer and the younger devourer, covering every stage of destruction. Third, 'without number' (ein mispar): mispar means a counted total, and ein negates it. The phrase is deliberate, not just 'a lot,' but impossible to tally. The verse shows that when God speaks, creation answers in quantities that escape human measurement. We underestimate the reach of His word.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions read this verse as part of God's saving history. Many Reformed commentators emphasize God's sovereignty: He turned their heart to hate His people, but also sends the plagues in perfect order. Catholic and Orthodox readers see it within the broader story of deliverance, pointing to Passover and ultimately to Christ. More recent interpreters note the parallels with Revelation 9, where locusts appear as eschatological judgment. All traditions agree that the locusts are not random calamity but a direct response to God's spoken word, whether for judgment or for the rescue of His people.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think 'without number' is just a vivid figure of speech, like saying 'uncountable stars.' In fact, the Hebrew phrase carries covenantal weight: God is showing that His power has no limit. The locusts are not just many; they are beyond human capacity to count, making the point that no force can stand against His word. The phrase echoes God's promise to Abraham about descendants uncountable.
Living This Out
This week, when you face something that feels overwhelming, a problem, a worry, a relationship that seems beyond repair, remember that the same God who spoke locusts into existence without number also speaks into your life. His power to command creation is the same power He uses for your good. You do not need to see the whole solution. You only need to trust the One who can produce an answer you cannot count.
Main takeaway: God's word alone summons an incalculable force; His authority over creation is absolute and beyond all measure.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God said, 'Let locusts come,' and they did, so many you couldn't count them. God is so powerful that when He speaks, even bugs obey.
For ages 9, 12
Locusts can eat every green thing in sight. But God used them on purpose to show Egypt that He is the true God. The verse says they came 'without number', that means God's power is not limited. He can do what He says, even if it takes something as small as a bug. This reminds us to trust His word, because it always works.
Questions People Ask
What are the 'locusts' and 'grasshoppers' in Psalms 105:34?
The Hebrew words are arbeh (locust swarm) and yeleq (young locust or caterpillar). They refer to different stages of the insect, covering the full devastation of the plague. Many English translations use 'caterpillar' or 'cankerworm.'
Why does the psalmist say 'without number' instead of just 'many'?
The phrase translates 'ein mispar,' meaning no counted total exists. It emphasizes that God's command produces a force beyond human measurement, underscoring His limitless power and sovereignty. The wording also echoes God's promise to Abraham of descendants uncountable.
How does this verse connect to the Exodus story?
It recounts the eighth plague on Egypt, recorded in Exodus 10. The psalmist retells the Exodus to highlight God's faithfulness in delivering Israel. The locusts are a direct judgment from God, not a natural disaster.
Is this verse talking about the same locusts as in Revelation 9?
Revelation 9 uses locust imagery for end‑times judgment. Some interpreters see a parallel, but this psalm refers to a historical judgment on Egypt. Both passages show God using locusts as an instrument of His power.
What is the main message of this verse for believers today?
It reminds us that God speaks and creation obeys, down to the smallest insect. His word is effective and His power beyond measure, so we can trust Him completely, whether in judgment or in mercy.
For pastors & researchers
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