Exodus 7:20 - Moses and Aaron did so, as Yahweh commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
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What does "Exodus 7:20" mean?
This verse from Exodus 7:20 describes the first plague that Moses and Aaron brought upon Egypt, specifically the turning of the Nile River into blood. Let's break it down:
"Moses and Aaron did so, as Yahweh commanded;": This emphasizes that Moses and Aaron were acting on direct instruction from God (Yahweh being the Hebrew name for God). They weren't acting on their own initiative, but as agents of divine power. This highlights their obedience and authority.
"and he lifted up the rod...": The "rod" or staff was a symbol of Moses's authority and God's power. Moses used the rod as a conduit for divine intervention.
"...and struck the waters that were in the river...": The act of striking the Nile River was the physical action that triggered the miracle. The Nile was the lifeblood of Egypt, essential for agriculture, drinking water, and transportation.
"...in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants;": This emphasizes that the plague was a public demonstration of God's power, witnessed by Pharaoh (the ruler of Egypt) and his court. This was a direct challenge to Pharaoh's authority and a clear message that Yahweh was more powerful than the Egyptian gods.
"...and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.": This is the core of the verse. The Nile River, the source of life for Egypt, was transformed into blood, becoming undrinkable, killing the fish, and creating a foul stench. This was a devastating blow to Egypt's economy and well-being.
Meaning and Significance:
Demonstration of God's Power: The verse illustrates God's power over nature and his ability to disrupt the natural order.
Challenge to Pharaoh: The plague was a direct challenge to Pharaoh's claim to divinity and to the authority of the Egyptian gods, particularly Hapi, the god of the Nile.
Punishment for Oppression: The plague was a divine punishment for Pharaoh's refusal to release the Israelites from slavery.
Symbol of Death and Destruction: The turning of the river into blood symbolized death, destruction, and the disruption of life. It was a powerful image of the consequences of Pharaoh's obstinacy.
Fulfillment of Prophecy: This act was a fulfillment of God's promise to deliver the Israelites from slavery and to punish the Egyptians if they refused to let them go.
In essence, Exodus 7:20 marks a pivotal moment in the Exodus story. It's the beginning of God's dramatic intervention to liberate the Israelites and a clear signal to Pharaoh that he was confronting a power greater than his own.
Exodus 7:20 - Moses and Aaron did so, as Yahweh commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
What does "Exodus 7:20" mean?
This verse from Exodus 7:20 describes the first plague that Moses and Aaron brought upon Egypt, specifically the turning of the Nile River into blood. Let's break it down:
"Moses and Aaron did so, as Yahweh commanded;": This emphasizes that Moses and Aaron were acting on direct instruction from God (Yahweh being the Hebrew name for God). They weren't acting on their own initiative, but as agents of divine power. This highlights their obedience and authority.
"and he lifted up the rod...": The "rod" or staff was a symbol of Moses's authority and God's power. Moses used the rod as a conduit for divine intervention.
"...and struck the waters that were in the river...": The act of striking the Nile River was the physical action that triggered the miracle. The Nile was the lifeblood of Egypt, essential for agriculture, drinking water, and transportation.
"...in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants;": This emphasizes that the plague was a public demonstration of God's power, witnessed by Pharaoh (the ruler of Egypt) and his court. This was a direct challenge to Pharaoh's authority and a clear message that Yahweh was more powerful than the Egyptian gods.
"...and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.": This is the core of the verse. The Nile River, the source of life for Egypt, was transformed into blood, becoming undrinkable, killing the fish, and creating a foul stench. This was a devastating blow to Egypt's economy and well-being.
Meaning and Significance:
Demonstration of God's Power: The verse illustrates God's power over nature and his ability to disrupt the natural order.
Challenge to Pharaoh: The plague was a direct challenge to Pharaoh's claim to divinity and to the authority of the Egyptian gods, particularly Hapi, the god of the Nile.
Punishment for Oppression: The plague was a divine punishment for Pharaoh's refusal to release the Israelites from slavery.
Symbol of Death and Destruction: The turning of the river into blood symbolized death, destruction, and the disruption of life. It was a powerful image of the consequences of Pharaoh's obstinacy.
Fulfillment of Prophecy: This act was a fulfillment of God's promise to deliver the Israelites from slavery and to punish the Egyptians if they refused to let them go.
In essence, Exodus 7:20 marks a pivotal moment in the Exodus story. It's the beginning of God's dramatic intervention to liberate the Israelites and a clear signal to Pharaoh that he was confronting a power greater than his own.