Exodus 7:18 - The fish that are in the river shall die, and the river shall become foul; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink water from the river.”’”

Generated Verse: Exodus 7:18

What does "Exodus 7:18" mean?


This verse, Exodus 7:18, describes the first plague God sends upon Egypt, turning the Nile River to blood. Let's break down the meaning:

"The fish that are in the river shall die..." This is a literal description of the impact of the plague. The river being turned to blood would kill all aquatic life. Fish were a significant source of food for the Egyptians, so this would have had a severe impact on their food supply.

"...and the river shall become foul..." "Foul" means disgusting, stinking, and polluted. The river would be undrinkable and unusable for anything. The dead fish rotting in the water would contribute significantly to the foulness.

"...and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink water from the river." This emphasizes the impact on the Egyptians. They would be disgusted and repulsed by the water, unable to use it for drinking, washing, or irrigation. The Nile was the lifeblood of Egypt; without clean water from it, their very survival was threatened.

Symbolic and Thematic Significance:

Challenge to Egyptian Power: The Nile was central to Egyptian life and culture. It was even worshipped as a deity. By polluting it, God was directly challenging the power of Egypt and its gods, demonstrating His superiority.

Judgment on Egypt's Sins: The plagues in Exodus are seen as a divine judgment on Egypt for their oppression of the Israelites. This first plague could be seen as a direct response to the Egyptians' treatment of the Israelites, forcing them to drink polluted water and suffer from thirst, mirroring the suffering they had inflicted on the Israelites.

Revelation of God's Power: The plagues were designed to show Pharaoh and the Egyptians the power and authority of God. The inability of the Egyptian magicians to undo the plague further highlighted God's supremacy.

In Summary:

Exodus 7:18 paints a picture of ecological devastation and social crisis. It's a literal description of the consequences of turning the Nile to blood, and it's also a symbolic representation of God's judgment, power, and challenge to the Egyptian system. It sets the stage for the subsequent plagues that would ultimately lead to the Israelites' release from slavery.

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