(10,12-13)1. What does "ba'arbeh" mean? The classic answer is like Rashi - to do so for this maka. The Ohr Ha'chaim answers that Hashem told Moshe to tie a "arbeh" (locust) to his staff. (To signify that this maka was brought through this action.) This would answer the question of why Moshe took the staff, for Hashem had told him to by saying "ba'arbeh".