TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Commentary on Exodus 7 verses 14–25
Here is the first of the ten plagues, the turning of the water into blood, which was, 1. A dreadful plague, and very grievous. The very sight of such vast rolling streams of blood, pure blood no doubt, florid and high-colored, could not but strike a horror upon people: much more afflictive were the consequences of it. Nothing more common than water: so wisely has Providence ordered it, and so kindly, that that which is so needful and serviceable to the comfort of human life should be cheap, and almost every where to be had; but now the Egyptians must either drink blood, or die for thirst. Fish was much of their food (Num 11:5), but the changing of the waters was the death of the fish; it was a pestilence in that element (Exo 7:21): The fish died. In the general deluge they escaped, because perhaps they had not then contributed so much to the luxury of man as they have since; but in this particular judgment they perished (Psa 105:29): He slew their fish; and when another destruction of Egypt, long afterwards, is threatened, the disappointment of those that make sluices and ponds for fish is particularly noticed, Isa 19:10. Egypt was a pleasant land, but the noisome stench of dead fish and blood, which by degrees would grow putrid, now rendered it very unpleasant. 2. It was a righteous plague, and justly inflicted upon the Egyptians. For, (1.) Nilus, the river of Egypt, was their idol; they and their land derived so much benefit from it that they served and worshipped it more than the Creator. The true fountain of the Nile being unknown to them, they paid all their devotions to its streams: here therefore God punished them, and turned that into blood which they had turned into a god. Note, That creature which we idolize God justly removes from us, or embitters to us. He makes that a scourge to us which we make a competitor with him. (2.) They had stained the river with the blood of the Hebrews' children, and now God made that river all bloody. Thus he gave them blood to drink, for they were worthy, Rev 16:6. Note, Never any thirsted after blood, but, sooner or later, they had enough of it. 3. It was a significant plague. Egypt had a great dependence upon their river (Zac 14:18), so that in smiting the river they were warned of the destruction of all the productions of their country, till it came at last to their firstborn; and this red river proved a direful omen of the ruin of Pharaoh and all his forces in the Red Sea. This plague of Egypt is alluded to in the prediction of the ruin of the enemies of the New Testament church, Rev 16:3, Rev 16:4. But there the sea, as well as the rivers and fountains of water, is turned into blood; for spiritual judgments reach further, and strike deeper, than temporal judgments do. And, lastly, let me observe in general concerning this plague that one of the first miracles Moses wrought was turning water into blood, but one of the first miracles our Lord Jesus wrought was turning water into wine; for the law was given by Moses, and it was a dispensation of death and terror; but grace and truth, which, like wine, make glad the heart, came by Jesus Christ. Observe,
I. Moses is directed to give Pharaoh warning of this plague. "Pharaoh's heart is hardened (Exo 7:14), therefore go and try what this will do to soften it," Exo 7:15. Moses perhaps may not be admitted into Pharaoh's presence-chamber, or the room of state where he used to give audience to ambassadors; and therefore he is directed to meet him by the river's brink, whither God foresaw he would come in the morning, either for the pleasure of a morning's walk or to pay his morning devotions to the river: for thus all people will walk, every one in the name of his god; they will not fail to worship their god every morning. There Moses must be ready to give him a new summons to surrender, and, in case of a refusal, to tell him of the judgment that was coming upon that very river on the banks of which they were now standing. Notice is thus given him of it beforehand, that they might have no colour to say it was a chance, or to attribute it to any other cause, but that it might appear to be done by the power of the God of the Hebrews, and as a punishment upon him for his obstinacy. Moses is expressly ordered to take the rod with him, that Pharaoh might be alarmed at the sight of that rod which had so lately triumphed over the rods of the magicians. Now learn hence, 1. That the judgments of God are all known to himself beforehand. He knows what he will do in wrath as well as in mercy. Every consumption is a consumption determined, Isa 10:23. 2. That men cannot escape the alarms of God's wrath, because they cannot go out of the hearing of their own consciences: he that made their hearts can make his sword to approach them. 3. That God warns before he wounds; for he is long-suffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
II. Aaron (who carried the mace) is directed to summon the plague by smiting the river with his rod, Exo 7:19, Exo 7:20. It was done in the sight of Pharaoh and his attendants; for God's true miracles were not performed, as Satan's lying wonders were, by those that peeped and muttered: truth seeks no corners. An amazing change was immediately wrought; all the waters, not only in the rivers but in all their ponds, were turned into blood. 1. See here the almighty power of God. Every creature is that to us which he makes it to be, water or blood. 2. See the mutability of all things under the sun, and what changes we may meet with in them. That which is water today may be blood tomorrow; what is always vain may soon become vexatious. A river, at the best, is transient; but divine justice can quickly make it malignant. 3. See what mischievous work sin makes. if the things that have been our comforts prove our crosses, we must thank ourselves: it is sin that turns our waters into blood.
III. Pharaoh endeavours to confront the miracle, because he resolves not to humble himself under the plague. He sends for the magicians, and, by God's permission, they ape the miracle with their enchantments (Exo 7:22), and this serves Pharaoh for an excuse not to set his heart to this also (Exo 7:23), and a pitiful excuse it was. Could they have turned the river of blood into water again, this would have been something to the purpose; then they would have proved their power, and Pharaoh would have been obliged to them as his benefactors. But for them, when there was such scarcity of water, to turn more of it into blood, only to show their art, plainly intimates that the design of the devil is only to delude his devotees and amuse them, not to do them any real kindness, but to keep them from doing a real kindness to themselves by repenting and returning to their God.
IV. The Egyptians, in the mean time, are seeking for relief against the plague, digging round about the river for water to drink, Exo 7:24. Probably they found some, with much ado, God remembering mercy in the midst of wrath; for he is full of compassion, and would not let the subjects smart too much for the obstinacy of their prince.
V. The plague continued seven days (Exo 7:25), and, in all that time, Pharaoh's proud heart would not let him so much as desire Moses to intercede for the removal of it. Thus the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath; they cry not when he binds them (Job 36:13); and then no wonder that his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Continue studying Exodus 7:17 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Exodus 7:17 marks the solemn declaration of the first plague upon Egypt, initiated by the LORD Himself. This divine act, wherein the waters of the Nile are supernaturally transformed into blood, is explicitly designed as a revelatory sign for Pharaoh and all of Egypt to experientially "know that I am the LORD," thereby asserting God's unparalleled sovereignty, unique identity, and supreme power over all creation and the false deities of the Egyptian pantheon.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 7:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The verse opens with a Divine Pronouncement, "Thus saith the LORD," immediately establishing the authoritative and undeniable nature of the message. This formulaic opening emphasizes that the events to follow are direct divine interventions, not natural occurrences. Symbolism is central, particularly with "the rod" and "the river." The rod symbolizes God's delegated authority and power, an extension of His own hand in judgment. The Nile River, as the lifeblood and a deified entity of Egypt, serves as a powerful symbol of Egypt's reliance and idolatry. Its transformation into blood is an act of profound Irony, as the source of life becomes a source of death and defilement, directly mocking the Egyptian deities associated with it. The plague itself functions as a Sign or Wonder, designed to reveal God's identity and power, compelling recognition from those who deny Him. This act also serves as Foreshadowing, hinting at the escalating judgments to come and the ultimate deliverance of Israel, which will be achieved through a series of increasingly severe divine interventions.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 7:17 profoundly articulates God's active involvement in human history, asserting His absolute sovereignty over creation and all earthly powers. The declaration, "In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD," reveals that God's judgments are not arbitrary acts of wrath but purposeful demonstrations of His unique identity, power, and justice. By targeting the Nile, the very heart of Egyptian life and worship, God systematically dismantles their idolatrous system, exposing the impotence of their false gods and the futility of trusting in anything other than the one true God. This act of judgment on Egypt simultaneously serves as a powerful reassurance to Israel, reaffirming God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to deliver them from bondage and establish His unique relationship with them. It underscores that God's self-revelation often occurs through both redemptive acts and acts of judgment, compelling all to acknowledge His supreme authority.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 7:17 serves as a timeless and profound reminder of God's active presence and sovereign authority in the world. For believers, it reinforces the foundational truth that our God is not a distant, passive deity but one who intervenes decisively in human affairs to accomplish His purposes. When faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles or oppressive systems, this passage reminds us that God is capable of overturning the natural order and humbling the proudest of powers to deliver His people. It calls us to trust in His ultimate control, even when circumstances seem dire, and to recognize that His ways are higher than our ways. For those who resist God or place their trust in idols—whether literal or metaphorical, such as wealth, power, or human wisdom—this verse stands as a solemn warning. It demonstrates that defiance of God's will carries inevitable and severe consequences, and that all false gods will ultimately be exposed as powerless. Ultimately, Exodus 7:17 compels us to acknowledge God's supreme authority, to submit to His will, and to live in reverent awe of His power and justice, recognizing that His self-revelation demands a response of faith and obedience.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did God choose the Nile River for the first plague?
Answer: God chose the Nile for the first plague because it was the absolute lifeblood of Egypt—the source of their agriculture, sustenance, and a central object of their worship. By turning it to blood, God directly attacked their economic stability, their physical well-being, and, most significantly, their religious system. This act demonstrated His absolute superiority over their gods, particularly Hapi, the god of the Nile, and Khnum, the guardian of the Nile's source. This immediate, undeniable, and comprehensive impact served as a powerful sign and a direct challenge to Pharaoh's perceived divinity and the power of his pantheon, forcing an experiential "knowing" of Yahweh's supremacy.
What does "know that I am the LORD" imply in this context?
Answer: In Exodus 7:17, "know that I am the LORD" (Hebrew: Ani Yahweh) signifies a forced, experiential recognition rather than a willing, intellectual acknowledgment. It means that through the devastating plague, Pharaoh and the Egyptians would be compelled to realize, by undeniable evidence, God's unique power, authority, and identity as the one true God, distinct from and superior to all their deities. It was a demonstration designed to leave no room for doubt about His sovereignty, compelling a recognition that could lead to either submission or further hardening, as seen in Pharaoh's continued resistance throughout the plagues (Exodus 8:15).
Was this plague only for Egypt, or did it also serve a purpose for Israel?
Answer: While primarily a judgment on Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release Israel, the plague also served a crucial purpose for the Israelites. Having lived under Egyptian oppression and surrounded by polytheism for centuries, their faith in the God of their fathers may have wavered. Witnessing God's overwhelming power over Egypt's gods and natural forces would have profoundly reaffirmed His identity and faithfulness to His covenant promises (Exodus 6:6-8), strengthening their trust and preparing them for their deliverance and future relationship with Him as His chosen people in the wilderness, as outlined in Exodus 19).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 7:17, with its declaration of God's self-revelation through judgment and the turning of life-giving water into death-bringing blood, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as God revealed His identity as "the LORD" through the Nile's transformation, Jesus, as God incarnate, is the ultimate "I AM" (John 8:58), the full revelation of God's nature and power. He demonstrates divine authority over creation, not primarily through judgment, but through miraculous provision (e.g., turning water into wine at Cana, John 2:1-11) and calming the storm (Matthew 8:23-27), showcasing His inherent power as the Creator. More profoundly, Christ's sacrifice on the cross, shedding His own precious blood, is the ultimate act of judgment on sin and the means by which humanity can truly "know" God—not as a terrifying judge whose wrath turns life to death, but as a merciful Redeemer who offers eternal life from the spiritual death caused by sin. Through His blood, a new covenant is established (Luke 22:20), cleansing and purifying, transforming spiritual death into life. He is the one who delivers from the bondage of sin and death, fulfilling the greater exodus foreshadowed in Egypt, leading His people to true freedom and a relationship with the living God (Hebrews 9:11-14).