The LORD empowers Moses as a "god" to Pharaoh, with Aaron as his prophet, and declares His intent to harden Pharaoh's heart to multiply signs and wonders. Moses and Aaron demonstrate God's power by turning Aaron's rod into a serpent, which then swallows the serpents created by Pharaoh's magicians. Despite this, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened, leading to the first plague where all the waters of Egypt are turned to blood, killing fish and making the river undrinkable.
But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.
When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.
And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.
And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.
Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.
And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote 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.
And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river.
Study Notes for Exodus 7
Verse 1
God elevates Moses' status in relation to Pharaoh, making him the supreme authority figure (a 'god') while Aaron acts as Moses' inspired spokesman ('prophet'). This structure mirrors the typical divine-human relationship in the ancient world.
Verse 3
The hardening of Pharaoh's heart is essential to the divine strategy. God uses Pharaoh’s defiance to multiply the signs, ensuring the display of YHWH’s power is total and undeniable to both Israel and Egypt.
Verse 4
God refers to Israel as 'mine armies' (or 'hosts'). This militaristic language emphasizes that the Exodus is not a negotiation for release, but a divine invasion and organized retrieval of God's property.
Verse 5
The ultimate goal of the plagues is theological: the Egyptians (and the Israelites) must learn that YHWH is the sovereign God, superior to all Egyptian deities and Pharaoh himself.
Verse 7
Moses and Aaron were elderly (80 and 83), indicating that God calls and equips leaders based on His timing and purpose, not necessarily on human standards of typical age or strength.
Verse 11
The Egyptian 'magicians' (likely ritual priests or sorcerers) were experts in occult arts. Their ability to replicate the sign initially strengthens Pharaoh's resolve, suggesting that Moses' power is merely equal to Egyptian magic.
Verse 12
Aaron's rod swallowing the rods of the magicians demonstrates the decisive victory of YHWH's power over all rival supernatural claims. Although the Egyptians could imitate the form, they could not withstand the force.
Verse 13
This is the first time the text states that Pharaoh 'hardened his heart' (the action is attributed to him). While God determined the outcome (v. 3), Pharaoh willingly chose resistance, illustrating the convergence of divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
Verse 14
Pharaoh’s refusal to heed the sign of the rod initiates the cycle of judgment. The plagues are not random acts of destruction but targeted, escalating judgments.
Verse 15
Pharaoh often visited the Nile early, likely for ritualistic bathing or to pay homage to the river god Hapi. God commands Moses to confront him there, striking at the heart of Egyptian religion and life source.
Verse 17
The plague serves as a direct theological challenge. By turning the Nile (a god in Egyptian belief) into blood, YHWH proves His absolute authority over nature and the gods of Egypt.
Verse 19
The command targets all water sources, including streams, canals, and stored water. This ensures the plague is comprehensive, making life unbearable and demonstrating the total scope of YHWH’s control.
Verse 22
The magicians’ ability to replicate the plague on a small scale allowed Pharaoh to rationalize the event as a natural phenomenon or a simple magical contest. This provided him the necessary pretext to maintain his hardened refusal.
Verse 25
The duration of seven days indicates the severity and persistence of the judgment. The cycle of the plagues often involved a period of suffering followed by an opportunity for Pharaoh to relent before the next judgment arrived.
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