Psalms 105:35 Meaning: The Complete Consumption of Egypt
They ate up every plant in their land, and ate up the fruit of their ground.
And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.
And did eat up every herb in their land, And did eat up the fruit of their ground.
And it consumeth every herb in their land, And it consumeth the fruit of their ground.
And they devoured every herb in their land, and ate up the fruit of their ground.
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 105:35 describes the locust plague consuming all vegetation in Egypt, showing God's judgment preparing for Israel's deliverance.
Context
Psalm 105 is a sweeping song of remembrance. The writer takes the congregation back through Israel's history, showing how God kept every promise He made to Abraham. In verses 31 to 36, the psalmist recalls the plagues that struck Egypt. He does not give the full story from Exodus, he selects images that show God's complete control over creation. Verse 35 lands on the locusts. They consumed every green thing in the land, every crop the Egyptians had grown. This was not random destruction. It was part of a pattern: plague by plague, God was dismantling Egypt's strength and clearing a path for His people to walk free. The land itself became an actor in the drama of deliverance.
Key Words
Two small Hebrew words do large work here. The verb akhal appears twice in this verse, and it means to eat, devour, consume, the same word used for fire consuming a forest or a sword devouring its victims. The locusts did not nibble; they devoured. The word kol (all, every) appears twice as well, echoing the thoroughness: every plant, every fruit, nothing left behind. The poet pairs two kinds of growth: esesv (vegetation, grass, herbs) and peri (fruit, produce). Together they cover everything the ground produced. And the word for ground, adamah, is the same word used for the soil from which Adam was formed. This is the land that had brought forth abundance for Egypt's pride. Now it brought forth judgment. The completeness of the consumption leaves no room for doubt: God was in control, and Egypt's resources were in His hands.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions read this verse as a straightforward account of the locust plague recorded in Exodus 10. Most emphasize the historical reality: God used a natural event supernaturally to accomplish His purposes. Some see the locusts as a symbol of judgment that falls on anyone who oppresses God's people. Others focus on the protective side, while Egypt was stripped bare, Israel in Goshen was spared. The early church writers often saw the plagues as signs pointing to God's power over creation, and the locusts as a warning of the judgment that awaits those who harden their hearts. No matter the tradition, this verse is always read as part of the good news: God keeps His promises, even when He has to tear down what stands in the way.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think this verse is simply a detail with no real meaning, just one more plague in a list. In fact, the psalmist places the locust plague at a key moment. The complete consumption of Egypt's food supply left the nation unable to function. It broke their will and made them desperate to release Israel. The destruction was not random; it was a direct answer to God's promise to Abraham. Every leaf that fell was a step toward freedom.
Living This Out
The locusts stripped Egypt of the things they counted on. This week, think about what props up your sense of security, your job, your savings, your health. None of those things are bad, but they can become idols if you trust them more than God. The verse asks a simple question: would you still trust the Lord if everything green in your life was taken away? If you find yourself holding too tightly, ask God to remind you that He is the true Provider. He stripped Egypt to set His people free, and He sometimes removes our props to draw us closer to Himself.
Main takeaway: God used the complete destruction of Egypt's crops to break their pride and make a way for His people.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God sent lots of locusts to eat all the plants in Egypt. But God kept His own people safe. He always takes care of those who love Him.
For ages 9, 12
God sent locusts to eat every plant and fruit in Egypt. This was hard for the Egyptians, but it was part of God's plan to show His power and free the Israelites. Sometimes God lets us go through hard things so we can see that He is stronger than anything that hurts us.
Questions People Ask
Why does Psalm 105:35 only mention the locust plague but not all plagues?
The psalmist is not giving a full list; he picks the plagues that highlight God's control over nature and Egypt's economy. The locust plague specifically destroys food, hitting at the heart of Egypt's self-reliance.
What does 'fruit of their ground' mean in Psalm 105:35?
It means the produce of Egypt's soil, the crops they worked for. By consuming both 'every plant' and 'the fruit of their ground', the locusts left nothing behind.
Is this verse about the same locust plague as in Exodus 10?
Yes, Psalm 105:35 describes the locust plague from Exodus 10:12-15. The psalmist condenses the narrative but keeps the detail of complete consumption.
What does this verse teach us about God's character?
It shows that God is both just and faithful. He judges oppression (Egypt) and keeps His promise to rescue His people (Israel). His power extends over all creation, including insects.
Why does the psalmist emphasize locusts eating 'every plant'?
The repetition of 'ate up' and 'all' underscores the thoroughness of God's judgment. Nothing was left to chance, God ensured Egypt had no food, forcing them to release Israel.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study