King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
Complete Jewish Bible:
All the Egyptians dug around the river for water to drink, because they couldn't drink the river water.
Berean Standard Bible:
So all the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink, because they could not drink the water from the river.
American Standard Version:
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And all the Egyptians{H4714} digged{H2658} round about{H5439} the river{H2975} for water{H4325} to drink{H8354}; for they could{H3201} not drink{H8354} of the water{H4325} of the river{H2975}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Exodus 7:24
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Power and Judgment:** The plague of turning the Nile's water to blood demonstrates God's control over nature and His ability to execute judgment. It's a direct challenge to the Egyptian gods, particularly Hapi, the god of the Nile.
- **Israel's Deliverance:** The plagues, including the bloodiness of the river, serve as a prelude to the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery, showcasing God's commitment to His people.
- **Hardness of Heart:** Pharaoh's continued resistance despite the miraculous signs reflects the theme of hardened heart, which is central to the narrative of the Exodus.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The event is set in the context of the oppression of the Israelites in Egypt, which historians estimate could have occurred around the late Bronze Age, approximately 1500-1200 BCE.
- **Slavery and Oppression:** The Israelites were enslaved by the Egyptians, leading to their cry for help. The plagues are a response to this cry, aiming to persuade Pharaoh to release them.
- **Religious and Political Significance:** The Nile was central to Egyptian life, both practically for water and agriculturally, and religiously as a deity. Controlling the Nile was symbolically controlling Egypt itself, challenging Pharaoh's divine authority.
- **Power Dynamics:** The plagues, including the water turning to blood, are part of a power struggle between Yahweh, the God of Israel, and the gods of Egypt, as represented by Pharaoh.
In Exodus 7:24, the Egyptians' desperate search for drinkable water after the first plague underscores the severity of God's judgment and sets the stage for the escalating conflict between Moses (representing Yahweh) and Pharaoh. This event is part of a larger narrative that leads to the liberation of the Israelites and the establishment of the Passover celebration.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H4714
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
Transliteration: Mitsrayim
Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. - Strong's Number: H2658
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָפַר
Transliteration: châphar
Pronunciation: khaw-far'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore; dig, paw, search out, seek. - Strong's Number: H5439
There are 282 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סָבִיב
Transliteration: çâbîyb
Pronunciation: saw-beeb'
Description: or (feminine) סְבִיבָה; from סָבַב; (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around; (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. - Strong's Number: H2975
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְאֹר
Transliteration: yᵉʼôr
Pronunciation: yeh-ore'
Description: of Egyptian origin; a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the Tigris, as the main river of Assyria; brook, flood, river, stream. - Strong's Number: H4325
There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַיִם
Transliteration: mayim
Pronunciation: mah'-yim
Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). - Strong's Number: H8354
There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁתָה
Transliteration: shâthâh
Pronunciation: shaw-thaw'
Description: a primitive root; to imbibe (literally or figuratively); [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of שָׁקָה.) - Strong's Number: H3201
There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָכֹל
Transliteration: yâkôl
Pronunciation: yaw-kole'
Description: or (fuller) יָכוֹל; a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might); be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer.