This verse is part of the story of the plagues God sent upon Egypt in the Book of Exodus. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Yahweh said to Moses..." This establishes the divine origin of the command. Yahweh is the name of God used in the Old Testament, and Moses is acting as his prophet and intermediary.
"...Stretch out your hand toward the sky..." This is a symbolic action. Moses, under God's direction, is physically gesturing to invoke the power of God over the weather. It signifies that he is calling upon a higher power to bring about this event.
"...that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt..." This specifies the nature of the plague: a severe hailstorm. This wasn't just any hailstorm; it was a divinely orchestrated event meant to be unusually destructive and widespread.
"...on man, and on animal, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt." This emphasizes the comprehensive scope of the hail's impact. It would affect every aspect of Egyptian life and agriculture:
Man: People would be injured or even killed by the hail.
Animal: Livestock, crucial for Egyptian agriculture and economy, would suffer.
Every herb of the field: Crops would be destroyed, leading to famine and economic hardship.
In essence, this verse is a command from God to Moses to bring about a devastating hailstorm across all of Egypt. This plague is intended to demonstrate God's power and to pressure Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery.
Significance in the Narrative:
Demonstration of God's Power: Each plague is a direct challenge to the gods of Egypt and an affirmation of Yahweh's supremacy. The hailstorm, in particular, would have been seen as a blow to Egyptian gods associated with weather and agriculture.
Escalation of the Plagues: The plagues become progressively more severe, increasing the pressure on Pharaoh to concede.
Warning to Pharaoh: The plagues are preceded by warnings, giving Pharaoh a chance to avoid the consequences by releasing the Israelites. Pharaoh's stubborn refusal leads to the escalation of suffering.
Proof for the Israelites: The plagues serve as evidence for the Israelites that God is acting on their behalf and will ultimately deliver them from slavery.
This verse is part of the story of the plagues God sent upon Egypt in the Book of Exodus. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Yahweh said to Moses..." This establishes the divine origin of the command. Yahweh is the name of God used in the Old Testament, and Moses is acting as his prophet and intermediary.
"...Stretch out your hand toward the sky..." This is a symbolic action. Moses, under God's direction, is physically gesturing to invoke the power of God over the weather. It signifies that he is calling upon a higher power to bring about this event.
"...that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt..." This specifies the nature of the plague: a severe hailstorm. This wasn't just any hailstorm; it was a divinely orchestrated event meant to be unusually destructive and widespread.
"...on man, and on animal, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt." This emphasizes the comprehensive scope of the hail's impact. It would affect every aspect of Egyptian life and agriculture:
Man: People would be injured or even killed by the hail.
Animal: Livestock, crucial for Egyptian agriculture and economy, would suffer.
Every herb of the field: Crops would be destroyed, leading to famine and economic hardship.
In essence, this verse is a command from God to Moses to bring about a devastating hailstorm across all of Egypt. This plague is intended to demonstrate God's power and to pressure Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery.
Significance in the Narrative:
Demonstration of God's Power: Each plague is a direct challenge to the gods of Egypt and an affirmation of Yahweh's supremacy. The hailstorm, in particular, would have been seen as a blow to Egyptian gods associated with weather and agriculture.
Escalation of the Plagues: The plagues become progressively more severe, increasing the pressure on Pharaoh to concede.
Warning to Pharaoh: The plagues are preceded by warnings, giving Pharaoh a chance to avoid the consequences by releasing the Israelites. Pharaoh's stubborn refusal leads to the escalation of suffering.
Proof for the Israelites: The plagues serve as evidence for the Israelites that God is acting on their behalf and will ultimately deliver them from slavery.