Plague of Darkness in Egypt: Fear, Light, and Spiritual Turning Points

After the plague of locusts, Egypt was left in a terrible state. The locusts had destroyed everything that remained after the hail, agriculture had completely collapsed, and hunger gnawed at their stomachs. The swarms also left behind filth that polluted the air and caused widespread illness. During the next three weeks the Egyptians desperately searched for food. Perhaps they imported supplies from other lands, but the shortage remained severe. “Fortunately,” Moshe did not appear in Pharaoh’s palace with further warnings during those days, and in that sense they enjoyed a little quiet. They did not realize that a dreadful plague was approaching, one whose psychological suffering would far surpass any physical pain.

Then, on a bright morning, around nine o’clock, when the sun was shining strongly, sudden darkness descended upon the entire land of Egypt. Absolute darkness. Not merely the absence of light, but a thick, tangible darkness that could almost be felt with one’s hands, and no source of light could dispel it. Burning candles were extinguished in the heavy gloom. No one could see anything; even a hand held directly in front of the eyes was invisible. Eyes were open, yet nothing could be seen. Terrifying thoughts raced through the Egyptian’s mind: “Have I gone blind?”

Fear of Death

After the initial shock came cries from every direction. Frightened children searched desperately for their mothers. Parents who had been out walking with their children fell into panic: How would they find them? How would they return home? Those who managed to gather themselves tried to move toward their houses, groping blindly through the darkness. They collided with other people doing the same, with trees, with carts. People stumbled into one another and fell. When someone finally managed to stand up, he had no idea which direction to go or where he was. The shouting drowned out every attempt at communication. Confusion and anger spread, and people shouted and even struck one another.

Those inside their homes were not much better off. They could not see anything. How could they function? How could they prepare food or find water? Cries of fear and hysteria filled the air. Family members trying to locate each other bumped into objects, tripped, and fell. Some may have been injured by shards of broken vessels, yet it was impossible to see the wounds or treat them. The sobs of fear blended with cries of pain. Time itself seemed to lose meaning: What happened? What hour was it? How long had passed? How long would this continue?

But for the Children of Israel There Was Light

Meanwhile, the Israelites experienced light in their dwellings, brighter than usual even at night. The light accompanied them even when they entered Egyptian homes filled with darkness. Light and darkness, complete opposites, existed side by side, demonstrating that God “forms light and creates darkness,” granting brilliant light to one and absolute darkness to another in the same place and at the same time. The Egyptians had once forced the Israelites to walk before them with lanterns to illuminate their path; now the Israelites enjoyed their own guiding light while the Egyptians remained trapped in darkness.

For three days the Egyptians stumbled in terror through the darkness, hungry, thirsty, exhausted, and lost, each moment feeling endless. Then the darkness thickened even further until movement became impossible. Every person remained frozen exactly as he was. Those standing could not sit, those sitting could not rise, those lying down could not get up. Hands and feet stretched out remained suspended. Mouths could not speak or call for help. For seventy two hours each person was alone, unable to communicate, trapped in terrifying silence. Just as the Egyptians had isolated the Israelites and sent them to wander alone in barren deserts, so were they now isolated from one another.

What thoughts filled an Egyptian’s mind during those days? Unable to see, speak, or move, he wondered if he was even alive. This was the terror of utter helplessness.

A Purification Among Israel

Among Israel there was also a painful event. Many were not destined to leave Egypt or receive the Torah. These were individuals who did not wish to follow God despite witnessing the plagues. During the days of darkness, a great number of them died, their passing hidden from Egyptian eyes so that Egypt could not claim that both nations suffered equally. Their mourning cries blended into the chaos that filled Egypt during those days.

Mysterious Visitors

Imagine that amid the silence footsteps were suddenly heard. Confident steps of someone who could apparently walk and see normally. “I can hear,” thought the Egyptian, “so I must still be alive. But who has entered my home?” The footsteps approached the wardrobe; drawers opened and sounds of searching were heard. “A thief!” the Egyptian might have thought, humiliated and furious yet powerless. In truth, these were Israelites who walked freely through Egyptian homes during the plague, discovering their treasures but taking nothing. Later, when the Israelites were about to leave Egypt, they knew exactly what to request, and the Egyptians granted it, recognizing the honesty shown during those dark days.

The End of the Darkness

After six days of unending nightmare, light suddenly returned. The Egyptians rubbed their eyes, struggling to adjust. Even moving their bodies was difficult after being frozen for so long. When the plague ended, Pharaoh summoned Moshe and offered permission for the Israelites to serve God. Remarkably, he called Moshe even after the plague had passed, showing how deeply this darkness had shaken him.

Yet Pharaoh still tried to impose conditions, insisting that only some of the livestock could leave. Moshe refused, declaring that all would go, for they did not know how many offerings would be required. Pharaoh’s anger flared again, and he threatened Moshe never to return. Moshe replied that Pharaoh himself would soon come seeking them, and he warned of one final, devastating plague yet to come.