The Hebrew word tsphardea (צְפַרְדֵּעַ) means frog. It appears only in the context of the second plague of Egypt (Exodus 8) and its parallel in Psalm 78:45 and 105:30, making it one of the more specialized vocabulary terms in the OT.
Though a small and singular word, tsphardea carries enormous theological weight. The second plague sent frogs swarming across Egypt — into houses, beds, kneading troughs, and ovens (Exodus 8:3). The Egyptians worshipped the frog-headed goddess Heqet, a deity of fertility and childbirth. By sending a plague of frogs, God demonstrated sovereignty over Egypt's gods — turning the object of worship into an instrument of judgment. Pharaoh's magicians could replicate the sign (producing more frogs) but could not remove them — only Moses could intercede to end the plague. The theological pattern: false religion multiplies problems; only God can truly deliver. Revelation 16:13 uses frog imagery for demonic spirits — the echo of Egypt's judgment runs through redemptive history.