Exodus 7:21 - The fish that were in the river died; and the river became foul, and the Egyptians couldn’t drink water from the river; and the blood was throughout all the land of Egypt.
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What does "Exodus 7:21" mean?
This verse from Exodus 7:21 describes the immediate and devastating consequences of the first plague that God sends upon Egypt: turning the Nile River into blood. Let's break down the meaning:
"The fish that were in the river died": The most immediate impact is the death of all aquatic life in the Nile, the main source of food and livelihood for many Egyptians.
"and the river became foul": The water is not just bloody; it's also putrid and decaying, making it unusable and disgusting. The stench would be unbearable. The Hebrew word translated as "foul" carries the sense of something utterly repulsive and corrupt.
"and the Egyptians couldn’t drink water from the river": This is a critical consequence. The Nile was the primary source of drinking water for the entire country. Its contamination creates a severe crisis, leaving the Egyptians without a vital resource.
"and the blood was throughout all the land of Egypt": The plague wasn't confined to just one location on the Nile. The "blood" (or whatever caused the phenomenon) spread throughout the entire land, likely encompassing all waterways and perhaps even contaminating groundwater. This signifies the all-encompassing nature of the plague, leaving no escape from its effects.
Symbolic and Theological Meanings:
Beyond the literal description, there are deeper symbolic and theological meanings to consider:
Challenge to Egyptian Gods: The Nile River was deeply associated with the Egyptian god Hapi, the deity of the river and fertility. Turning the Nile into something poisonous was a direct challenge to the power and efficacy of this key Egyptian deity. This plague, like all the plagues, were meant to show that the God of Israel was more powerful than the gods of Egypt.
Justice and Retribution: God is acting in justice, punishing the Egyptians for their oppression of the Israelites. The life-giving Nile, which sustained the Egyptians, is now transformed into a symbol of death and destruction.
Power of God: This verse demonstrates the immense power of God over nature and life itself. He can transform the very source of sustenance into a source of death.
Foreshadowing: This plague is a foreshadowing of further judgments to come if Pharaoh continues to refuse to release the Israelites.
In summary, Exodus 7:21 describes the physical consequences of the first plague on Egypt—dead fish, foul water, and the unavailability of drinking water—while also serving as a demonstration of God's power, a challenge to Egyptian gods, and a consequence of their oppression of the Israelites.
Exodus 7:21 - The fish that were in the river died; and the river became foul, and the Egyptians couldn’t drink water from the river; and the blood was throughout all the land of Egypt.
What does "Exodus 7:21" mean?
This verse from Exodus 7:21 describes the immediate and devastating consequences of the first plague that God sends upon Egypt: turning the Nile River into blood. Let's break down the meaning:
"The fish that were in the river died": The most immediate impact is the death of all aquatic life in the Nile, the main source of food and livelihood for many Egyptians.
"and the river became foul": The water is not just bloody; it's also putrid and decaying, making it unusable and disgusting. The stench would be unbearable. The Hebrew word translated as "foul" carries the sense of something utterly repulsive and corrupt.
"and the Egyptians couldn’t drink water from the river": This is a critical consequence. The Nile was the primary source of drinking water for the entire country. Its contamination creates a severe crisis, leaving the Egyptians without a vital resource.
"and the blood was throughout all the land of Egypt": The plague wasn't confined to just one location on the Nile. The "blood" (or whatever caused the phenomenon) spread throughout the entire land, likely encompassing all waterways and perhaps even contaminating groundwater. This signifies the all-encompassing nature of the plague, leaving no escape from its effects.
Symbolic and Theological Meanings:
Beyond the literal description, there are deeper symbolic and theological meanings to consider:
Challenge to Egyptian Gods: The Nile River was deeply associated with the Egyptian god Hapi, the deity of the river and fertility. Turning the Nile into something poisonous was a direct challenge to the power and efficacy of this key Egyptian deity. This plague, like all the plagues, were meant to show that the God of Israel was more powerful than the gods of Egypt.
Justice and Retribution: God is acting in justice, punishing the Egyptians for their oppression of the Israelites. The life-giving Nile, which sustained the Egyptians, is now transformed into a symbol of death and destruction.
Power of God: This verse demonstrates the immense power of God over nature and life itself. He can transform the very source of sustenance into a source of death.
Foreshadowing: This plague is a foreshadowing of further judgments to come if Pharaoh continues to refuse to release the Israelites.
In summary, Exodus 7:21 describes the physical consequences of the first plague on Egypt—dead fish, foul water, and the unavailability of drinking water—while also serving as a demonstration of God's power, a challenge to Egyptian gods, and a consequence of their oppression of the Israelites.