Exodus 7:17 - Yahweh says, “In this you shall know that I am Yahweh. Behold, I will strike with the rod that is in my hand on the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Exodus 7:17" mean?
This verse, Exodus 7:17, is a pivotal point in the narrative of the plagues God sends upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. Let's break down its meaning:
"Yahweh says, 'In this you shall know that I am Yahweh.'" This is the central message. The plague is not just a random event or a display of power; it is a sign specifically intended to reveal God's identity and authority to Pharaoh. God wants Pharaoh to acknowledge that He is Yahweh (often translated as "the LORD"), the one true God, and not one of the many Egyptian deities. This is about more than just freeing the Israelites; it's about acknowledging God's sovereignty.
"Behold, I will strike with the rod that is in my hand on the waters which are in the river..." This is a direct action by God, mediated through Moses. The "rod" is Moses' staff, which has already been shown to possess divine power. The "river" is the Nile, the lifeblood of Egypt, both literally and symbolically. The Nile was a source of sustenance, irrigation, and transportation, and was also worshipped as a god (Hapi). Striking the Nile is a direct challenge to Egyptian beliefs and economy.
"...and they shall be turned to blood." This is the consequence of the action. The water of the Nile will be transformed into blood, making it undrinkable and killing the fish. This transformation has several layers of meaning:
Practical Disaster: It disrupts Egyptian life by poisoning their water supply and destroying a vital source of food.
Symbolic Attack: It defiles a sacred element of Egyptian religion, demonstrating God's superiority over their gods.
Judgement: It is a judgment on the Egyptians for their oppression of the Israelites. Blood can symbolize violence and death, reflecting the bloodshed they inflicted on the Israelites through enslavement and infanticide.
In summary, Exodus 7:17 is a divine declaration and warning. God announces that He will perform a miraculous and devastating act – turning the Nile to blood – to demonstrate His power and identity as Yahweh to Pharaoh and, by extension, to the entire Egyptian nation. It is a direct challenge to their beliefs, a disruption of their way of life, and a judgment upon their injustice. The plague is not just a punishment; it is a revelation.
Exodus 7:17 - Yahweh says, “In this you shall know that I am Yahweh. Behold, I will strike with the rod that is in my hand on the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
What does "Exodus 7:17" mean?
This verse, Exodus 7:17, is a pivotal point in the narrative of the plagues God sends upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. Let's break down its meaning:
"Yahweh says, 'In this you shall know that I am Yahweh.'" This is the central message. The plague is not just a random event or a display of power; it is a sign specifically intended to reveal God's identity and authority to Pharaoh. God wants Pharaoh to acknowledge that He is Yahweh (often translated as "the LORD"), the one true God, and not one of the many Egyptian deities. This is about more than just freeing the Israelites; it's about acknowledging God's sovereignty.
"Behold, I will strike with the rod that is in my hand on the waters which are in the river..." This is a direct action by God, mediated through Moses. The "rod" is Moses' staff, which has already been shown to possess divine power. The "river" is the Nile, the lifeblood of Egypt, both literally and symbolically. The Nile was a source of sustenance, irrigation, and transportation, and was also worshipped as a god (Hapi). Striking the Nile is a direct challenge to Egyptian beliefs and economy.
"...and they shall be turned to blood." This is the consequence of the action. The water of the Nile will be transformed into blood, making it undrinkable and killing the fish. This transformation has several layers of meaning:
Practical Disaster: It disrupts Egyptian life by poisoning their water supply and destroying a vital source of food.
Symbolic Attack: It defiles a sacred element of Egyptian religion, demonstrating God's superiority over their gods.
Judgement: It is a judgment on the Egyptians for their oppression of the Israelites. Blood can symbolize violence and death, reflecting the bloodshed they inflicted on the Israelites through enslavement and infanticide.
In summary, Exodus 7:17 is a divine declaration and warning. God announces that He will perform a miraculous and devastating act – turning the Nile to blood – to demonstrate His power and identity as Yahweh to Pharaoh and, by extension, to the entire Egyptian nation. It is a direct challenge to their beliefs, a disruption of their way of life, and a judgment upon their injustice. The plague is not just a punishment; it is a revelation.