Exodus 7:17

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, In this thou shalt know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}: behold, I will smite {H5221} with the rod {H4294} that is in mine hand {H3027} upon the waters {H4325} which are in the river {H2975}, and they shall be turned {H2015} to blood {H1818}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so ADONAI says, "This will let you know that I am ADONAI": I will take the staff in my hand and strike the water in the river, and it will be turned into blood.

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the LORD says: By this you will know that I am the LORD. Behold, with the staff in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will turn to blood.

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah, In this thou shalt know that I am Jehovah: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in my hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 7:17 is a pivotal moment following Moses and Aaron's initial, unsuccessful confrontation with Pharaoh, where Pharaoh's heart remained hardened despite Aaron's rod turning into a serpent and devouring the rods of the Egyptian magicians ([Exodus 7:10-13](/exodus/7-10-13 "Aaron's Rod and the Magicians")). This verse transitions the narrative from a display of power to a direct act of judgment, signaling the beginning of the ten plagues. It is a divine pronouncement, delivered through Moses, that sets the stage for God's escalating intervention, demonstrating His active role in fulfilling His promises and punishing defiance. The preceding verses emphasize Pharaoh's obstinacy and God's stated purpose to multiply His signs and wonders in Egypt ([Exodus 7:3-5](/exodus/7-3-5 "God's Purpose for the Plagues")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was an advanced civilization profoundly dependent on the Nile River, which served as its lifeblood for agriculture, transportation, and daily sustenance. The Nile was not merely a geographical feature but was deified, worshipped as the god Hapi, the spirit of the Nile, and associated with other deities like Osiris (god of the underworld and fertility) and Khnum (guardian of the Nile's source). Pharaoh himself was considered a divine king, a living god. The turning of the Nile to blood was thus a direct assault on the very foundation of Egyptian life, economy, and, most critically, their religious system. It was a targeted strike against their most cherished and powerful deities, designed to expose their impotence and demonstrate the absolute supremacy of Yahweh over the entire Egyptian pantheon.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Exodus. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Self-Revelation**, where God actively intervenes in human history to make His name known and demonstrate His absolute control over creation and human affairs. It underscores the **Folly and Consequences of Idolatry**, as God directly challenges and humiliates the gods of Egypt, proving their powerlessness against His might. The plague also highlights **God's Covenant Faithfulness** to Israel, as this act of judgment on Egypt is simultaneously an act of deliverance for His chosen people, fulfilling His promise to bring them out of bondage ([Exodus 6:6-8](/exodus/6-6-8 "God's Covenant Promises to Israel")). Furthermore, it emphasizes the **Power of God's Word**, as the plague is initiated by His spoken command, demonstrating that His decrees are effective and irresistible, a theme seen from the very beginning of creation in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** From H3045, meaning "to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)." In this context, it signifies an experiential and forced recognition. Pharaoh and the Egyptians are not invited to intellectually assent to God's existence but are compelled through undeniable, devastating evidence to acknowledge His unique power and authority. This knowledge is not merely cognitive but transformative, born out of a direct encounter with divine judgment.
* **river (Hebrew, _yᵉʼôr'_):** From H2975, meaning "a channel, e.g. a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the Nile, as the one river of Egypt, including its collateral trenches." This word specifically designates the Nile, the lifeblood of Egypt. Its inclusion emphasizes the precise target of God's judgment, highlighting the strategic nature of the plague as a direct assault on Egypt's primary resource and a central object of their worship. The transformation of this vital source into something abhorrent and deadly underscores the comprehensive nature of God's attack on their sustenance and their gods.
* **turned (Hebrew, _hâphak'_):** From H2015, a primitive root meaning "to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert." This verb signifies a complete and irreversible transformation. The Nile is not merely discolored or contaminated; it is fundamentally altered in its very nature, becoming blood. This demonstrates God's absolute power to reverse the natural order and to pervert what was once a source of life into a source of death and defilement, directly challenging the perceived stability and divine protection of Egypt.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD":** This opening clause is a powerful divine declaration, emphasizing the theological purpose behind the impending plague. The phrase "Thus saith the LORD" establishes the divine origin and authority of the message, leaving no doubt that the events to follow are not random occurrences but direct acts of God. The core purpose, "In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD," highlights God's intent for self-revelation. The Hebrew "I am the LORD" (Yahweh) is God's covenant name, signifying His eternal, self-existent, and faithful nature. The "knowing" here is not an intellectual assent but a forced, experiential recognition of His unique identity, supreme power, and absolute sovereignty, particularly for Pharaoh and the Egyptians who denied Him.
* **"behold, I will smite with the rod that [is] in mine hand upon the waters which [are] in the river":** This clause describes the specific instrument and target of the judgment. The "rod" (Hebrew, _maṭṭeh_), wielded by Moses but ultimately "in mine hand" (God's hand), symbolizes God's delegated authority and power. It signifies that Moses is merely the instrument, while God is the ultimate agent. The target, "the waters which are in the river," specifically refers to the Nile and its associated waterways, emphasizing the direct assault on Egypt's life source and its deified river. This precision underscores the deliberate and strategic nature of God's judgment.
* **"and they shall be turned to blood":** This final clause states the devastating outcome of the divine smiting. The transformation of water into blood is a shocking and abhorrent act, rendering the primary source of life for Egypt unusable and defiled. Blood, in the biblical context, is associated with life, sacrifice, and often, death and defilement. The turning of the Nile to blood signifies not only a physical catastrophe but also a profound spiritual blow, demonstrating God's absolute power over life and death, and His ability to turn the very symbol of Egypt's prosperity and divine protection into a source of suffering and judgment.

#### 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.

* [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "God's Name Declared Through Pharaoh")
* [Psalm 105:29](/psalms/105-29 "The Lord Turned Their Waters to Blood")
* [Revelation 16:3-4](/revelation/16-3-4 "The Second and Third Bowls of Wrath")

### 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
* **In what areas of my life or society do I see resistance to God's sovereignty, and how might God be seeking to reveal Himself in those contexts today?**
* **What "Niles" (sources of security, prosperity, or identity) might I be trusting in more than God, and how might God be calling me to re-evaluate my allegiances?**
* **How does understanding God's purposeful self-revelation through judgment in Exodus deepen my appreciation for His grace and mercy found in Christ?**

### 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](/exodus/8-15 "Pharaoh hardens his heart")).

**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](/exodus/6-6-8 "God's Covenant Promises to Israel")), 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](/exodus/19 "The Covenant at Sinai")).

### 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](/john/8-58 "Jesus declares 'I Am'")), 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](/john/2-1-11 "Jesus turns water into wine")) and calming the storm ([Matthew 8:23-27](/matthew/8-23-27 "Jesus calms the storm")), 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](/luke/22-20 "The New Covenant in My Blood")), 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](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Christ's Superior Sacrifice")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 4:9

And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour [it] upon the dry [land]: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry [land].

Exodus 7:5

And the Egyptians shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.

Exodus 5:2

And Pharaoh said, Who [is] the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

Ezekiel 38:23

Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Psalms 9:16

The LORD is known [by] the judgment [which] he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

Ezekiel 39:28

Then shall they know that I [am] the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.

Ezekiel 29:9

And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD: because he hath said, The river [is] mine, and I have made [it].