Exodus 4:9 - It will happen, if they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, that you shall take of the water of the river, and pour it on the dry land. The water which you take out of the river will become blood on the dry land.”
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What does "Exodus 4:9" mean?
This verse, Exodus 4:9, is part of God's instructions to Moses when Moses is hesitant to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt. It provides Moses with another sign to convince both the Israelites and Pharaoh of God's power and Moses' divine mission. Let's break down the meaning:
"It will happen, if they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice...": This refers back to the two previous signs given to Moses:
Turning his staff into a snake and back again (Exodus 4:2-5)
Making his hand leprous and then healing it (Exodus 4:6-8)
This clause acknowledges the possibility of disbelief even after these displays of power.
"...that you shall take of the water of the river, and pour it on the dry land.": Moses is instructed to take water from the Nile River and pour it onto the ground.
"The water which you take out of the river will become blood on the dry land.": This is the key part. The water, upon being poured on the land, will transform into blood.
Meaning and Significance:
A Further Sign of God's Power: This is another demonstration of God's absolute control over nature. He can manipulate the natural order to demonstrate his authority.
A Warning to Pharaoh: The Nile River was central to Egyptian life and religion. It was considered sacred. Turning the Nile's water into blood would be a devastating blow to the Egyptians and a direct challenge to their gods, as well as to the Pharoah's claims of divinity. It could be seen as a plague in miniature.
A Symbolic Representation of What's to Come: This could be seen as a foretaste of the plagues that would eventually be unleashed on Egypt. It foreshadows the larger-scale transformation of water into blood (Plague #1 in Exodus 7:14-25). It's a small-scale version of the upcoming judgment.
Conviction: The sign is meant to inspire conviction. While the previous two signs target individuals, this sign, when brought to fruition, could affect a community.
Reinforcement of Moses' Role: God is reassuring Moses that he will be given the necessary tools (miracles) to overcome Pharaoh's resistance and to convince the Israelites of his leadership.
In essence, this verse provides Moses with a third sign to prove to both the Israelites and Pharaoh that he is acting with divine authority. It's a warning, a challenge to Egyptian power, and a reinforcement of Moses' divinely appointed role. It also foreshadows the larger plagues that will ultimately force Pharaoh to release the Israelites.
Exodus 4:9 - It will happen, if they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, that you shall take of the water of the river, and pour it on the dry land. The water which you take out of the river will become blood on the dry land.”
What does "Exodus 4:9" mean?
This verse, Exodus 4:9, is part of God's instructions to Moses when Moses is hesitant to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt. It provides Moses with another sign to convince both the Israelites and Pharaoh of God's power and Moses' divine mission. Let's break down the meaning:
"It will happen, if they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice...": This refers back to the two previous signs given to Moses:
Turning his staff into a snake and back again (Exodus 4:2-5)
Making his hand leprous and then healing it (Exodus 4:6-8)
This clause acknowledges the possibility of disbelief even after these displays of power.
"...that you shall take of the water of the river, and pour it on the dry land.": Moses is instructed to take water from the Nile River and pour it onto the ground.
"The water which you take out of the river will become blood on the dry land.": This is the key part. The water, upon being poured on the land, will transform into blood.
Meaning and Significance:
A Further Sign of God's Power: This is another demonstration of God's absolute control over nature. He can manipulate the natural order to demonstrate his authority.
A Warning to Pharaoh: The Nile River was central to Egyptian life and religion. It was considered sacred. Turning the Nile's water into blood would be a devastating blow to the Egyptians and a direct challenge to their gods, as well as to the Pharoah's claims of divinity. It could be seen as a plague in miniature.
A Symbolic Representation of What's to Come: This could be seen as a foretaste of the plagues that would eventually be unleashed on Egypt. It foreshadows the larger-scale transformation of water into blood (Plague #1 in Exodus 7:14-25). It's a small-scale version of the upcoming judgment.
Conviction: The sign is meant to inspire conviction. While the previous two signs target individuals, this sign, when brought to fruition, could affect a community.
Reinforcement of Moses' Role: God is reassuring Moses that he will be given the necessary tools (miracles) to overcome Pharaoh's resistance and to convince the Israelites of his leadership.
In essence, this verse provides Moses with a third sign to prove to both the Israelites and Pharaoh that he is acting with divine authority. It's a warning, a challenge to Egyptian power, and a reinforcement of Moses' divinely appointed role. It also foreshadows the larger plagues that will ultimately force Pharaoh to release the Israelites.