THE 10 PLAGUES OF EGYPT IN ORDER: A VISUAL GUIDE TO WHAT REALLY HAPPENED

The story is legendary. A stubborn Pharaoh. An enslaved nation crying out for freedom. And a God who answered with ten devastating displays of power that would forever change history.

The 10 plagues of Egypt aren't just ancient Sunday school material: they're some of the most dramatic, visually stunning events recorded in Scripture. But what did they actually look like? What really happened along the banks of the Nile thousands of years ago?

Let's walk through each plague together, bringing these moments to life with the vivid detail they deserve.

Setting the Scene: Moses vs. Pharaoh

Before we dive into the plagues, let's set the stage.

The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for generations. God heard their cries and called Moses: a shepherd living in exile: to confront the most powerful ruler on earth.

Moses stood before Pharaoh with a simple demand: "Let my people go."

Pharaoh refused. And so began a supernatural showdown that would demonstrate God's power over every Egyptian deity and force the mightiest empire of the ancient world to its knees.

If you want to explore Moses' journey before these events, check out our piece on Moses and the Burning Bush.

The 10 Plagues of Egypt in Order

Here's the complete list of the 10 plagues of Egypt in order, as recorded in Exodus chapters 7-12.

1. Water Turned to Blood

Aaron stretched his staff over the Nile, and the lifeblood of Egypt transformed into actual blood.

Picture it: the great river that sustained an entire civilization suddenly running crimson. Fish floated to the surface, dead. The stench filled the air for miles. Egyptians frantically dug along the riverbanks, desperately searching for drinkable water.

This wasn't just an inconvenience: it was an attack on Hapi, the Egyptian god of the Nile. The river they worshipped had become a source of death, and their god Hapi, defeated.

2. Frogs

Next came the frogs. Not a few hopping around: we're talking an overwhelming, inescapable invasion.

Frogs in the bedrooms. Frogs in the kitchens. Frogs in the kneading bowls where bread was made. Imagine trying to sleep while frogs covered every surface of your home.

When they finally died, the Egyptians piled them into heaps. The land reeked of decay for days.

3. Lice (or Gnats)

Aaron struck the dust of the ground, and it transformed into swarms of tiny biting insects.

Scholars debate whether these were lice, gnats, or mosquitoes. What's certain is that they were everywhere: crawling on skin, in hair, tormenting every Egyptian and their animals without relief.

Even Pharaoh's magicians couldn't replicate this one. They told Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God."

4. Flies

Massive swarms of flies descended on Egypt: filling homes, covering the ground, making daily life unbearable.

But here's where things get interesting: for the first time, God made a distinction. The land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, remained completely untouched.

The message was clear. This wasn't random chaos. It was targeted, intentional, divine.

5. Pestilence on Livestock

A deadly disease swept through Egypt's cattle, horses, donkeys, camels, and sheep. Livestock dropped dead in the fields.

This devastated Egypt's economy and food supply. Yet once again, not a single animal belonging to the Israelites was harmed.

Pharaoh sent officials to investigate. The report came back: Israel's livestock were completely healthy. Still, his heart remained hard.

6. Boils

Moses threw handfuls of furnace soot into the air, and it spread across Egypt like dust. Wherever it landed, painful boils erupted on the skin of humans and animals alike.

The suffering was so severe that even Pharaoh's magicians couldn't stand before Moses. They were covered in festering sores just like everyone else.

Imagine the scene in the royal court: advisors groaning in pain, unable to even approach the throne.

7. Hail and Fire

This wasn't ordinary weather. Thunder roared. And hail: mixed with fire: rained down on Egypt.

Everything left in the open was destroyed. Crops flattened. Trees shattered. Livestock killed. Servants who didn't take shelter lost their lives.

God warned Pharaoh in advance this time. Some Egyptians had begun to fear the Lord and brought their servants and animals inside. Others ignored the warning and paid the price.

8. Locusts

Whatever the hail didn't destroy, the locusts finished off.

An east wind blew all day and night, and by morning, locusts covered the land so thick they blocked out the sun. Every plant, every leaf, every piece of remaining fruit: gone.

Egypt had never seen anything like it before. And they never would again.

Even Pharaoh's officials begged him: "Let these people go! Don't you realize Egypt is ruined?"

9. Darkness

For three days, total darkness covered Egypt.

This wasn't just nighttime darkness. This was a darkness so thick the Egyptians could feel it. No one could see their hand in front of their face. No one moved from their spot for three days.

But in Goshen? The Israelites had light in their homes.

This plague struck at the heart of Egyptian religion. Ra, the sun god, was considered supreme. Yet he was powerless against the God of Israel.

10. Death of the Firstborn

The final plague was the most devastating.

At midnight, the Angel of Death moved through Egypt. Every firstborn son: from Pharaoh's heir on the throne to the firstborn of prisoners in the dungeon: died that night. Even the firstborn of livestock.

A great cry rose up across Egypt. There wasn't a single home without someone dead.

But the Israelites were protected. God had instructed them to sacrifice a lamb and paint its blood on their doorframes. When the Angel of Death saw the blood, he passed over that home.

This is the origin of Passover: a tradition still observed today, pointing forward to the ultimate Lamb whose blood would save all who believe.

That night, Pharaoh finally relented. He summoned Moses and said, "Go."

Why the 10 Plagues Still Matter Today

The 10 plagues of Egypt in order tell us something profound about who God is.

He hears the cries of the oppressed. He keeps His promises. And He has power over every false god and earthly authority.

Each plague wasn't random: scholars believe each one directly challenged a specific Egyptian deity:

• The Nile turned to blood → Hapi, god of the Nile
• Frogs → Heqet, frog-headed goddess of fertility
• Darkness → Ra, the sun god
• Death of the firstborn → Pharaoh himself, considered divine

God wasn't just freeing His people. He was declaring to Egypt and the watching world: "I am the LORD."

Experience These Stories Like Never Before

At 7th Trumpet Entertainment, we've spent countless hours recreating these biblical moments with stunning visuals and immersive storytelling. We want you to see Scripture come alive: not just read about it.

Our YouTube channel features dramatic video recreations of the Exodus story and other biblical events, designed to help you experience these stories in a whole new way.

Whether you're studying Exodus for the first time or revisiting it after years, we hope these visual guides draw you deeper into God's incredible story of redemption.

Explore more biblical stories and visual content at 7th Trumpet Entertainment, or browse our Bible posters to bring these scenes into your home.