Exodus 7:18

KJV

And the fish that [is] in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the fish {H1710} that is in the river {H2975} shall die {H4191}, and the river {H2975} shall stink {H887}; and the Egyptians {H4714} shall lothe {H3811} to drink {H8354} of the water {H4325} of the river {H2975}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The fish in the river will die, the river will stink and the Egyptians won't want to drink water from the river.'"

Berean Standard Bible

The fish in the Nile will die, the river will stink, and the Egyptians will be unable to drink its water.’”

American Standard Version

And the fish that are in the river shall die, and the river shall become foul; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink water from the river.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Exodus 7:18](/exodus/7-18 "The First Plague: Nile to Blood") vividly describes the immediate and devastating impact of the first plague upon Egypt, detailing how the Nile River, once the lifeblood of the nation, would become a source of death and putrefaction. This verse emphasizes the widespread demise of aquatic life and the resulting unbearable stench, making the river's water utterly undrinkable and abhorrent to the Egyptians.

### CONTEXT
This verse is situated within the escalating confrontation between the God of Israel, represented by Moses and Aaron, and Pharaoh, the defiant ruler of Egypt. Following Pharaoh's dismissal of earlier miraculous signs, such as the staff turning into a serpent ([Exodus 7:11-12](/exodus/7-11 "Magicians replicate the sign of the staff")), the Lord initiates a series of ten increasingly severe judgments, known as the plagues, designed to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from their bondage. The Nile River was central to ancient Egyptian life, revered as a deity and indispensable for agriculture, transportation, and daily sustenance. The first plague, announced in [Exodus 7:17](/exodus/7-17 "God's command to Moses regarding the Nile"), directly targeted this vital resource, striking at the core of Egyptian prosperity and challenging their pantheon of gods associated with the river, including Hapi (god of the Nile's annual flood) and Khnum (god of the Nile's source).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Exodus 7:18](/exodus/7-18 "The death of fish and the stench of the Nile") graphically details the immediate and horrific consequences of the Nile's transformation. The death of all fish, a primary food source, and the resulting putrid stench would have rendered the river unusable and deeply offensive, forcing the Egyptians to dig for water elsewhere ([Exodus 7:24](/exodus/7-24 "Egyptians dig for water")). The KJV's use of "lothe" (from Old English "lāthian," meaning to detest or abhor) powerfully conveys the Egyptians' profound disgust. The Hebrew word, *qūṣ* (קוּץ), reinforces this, signifying a strong sense of abhorrence, dread, or nausea, highlighting the extreme revulsion felt towards their primary water source.

* **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty:** This plague serves as a potent demonstration of God's righteous judgment against Pharaoh's hardened heart and the pervasive idolatry of Egypt. By turning their life-giving river into blood, God asserts His absolute sovereignty over nature, transforming a source of life into an agent of death and decay, directly challenging the Egyptians' reliance on and worship of the Nile as a deity.
* **Consequences of Disobedience:** Pharaoh's repeated refusal to obey God's command to "Let my people go" ([Exodus 7:16](/exodus/7-16 "God's command to Pharaoh")) brought severe and tangible suffering upon his people and his land. The foul smell and undrinkable water were immediate, inescapable consequences of their leader's rebellion.
* **Symbolism of the Nile:** What was worshipped as a giver of life became a symbol of death and divine wrath, signifying the utter impotence of Egyptian gods in the face of the Almighty. The plague directly attacked the very foundation of Egyptian cosmology and daily existence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **God's Supremacy Over Idolatry:** The plague of blood directly confronts and exposes the impotence of Egyptian deities, particularly those associated with the Nile, such as Hapi and Khnum. This demonstrates the God of Israel's unique power over all creation and false gods, a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament ([Isaiah 44:6-20](/isaiah/44-6 "God mocks idols")).
* **Life and Death in God's Hand:** The transformation of a life-sustaining river into a source of death underscores God's ultimate control over life and death, a power reserved for the Creator alone ([Deuteronomy 32:39](/deuteronomy/32-39 "God kills and makes alive")).
* **Justice and Consequences:** This plague highlights the biblical principle that disobedience to God's commands carries real and often severe consequences, not only for individuals but for entire nations ([Proverbs 13:15](/proverbs/13-15 "The way of transgressors is hard")).
* **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant:** Despite the severity of the judgment on Egypt, the plagues ultimately serve God's overarching purpose to deliver His covenant people, Israel, from bondage, demonstrating His faithfulness to His promises ([Exodus 6:6-8](/exodus/6-6 "God's promise to deliver Israel")).

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Exodus 7:18](/exodus/7-18 "Reflection on the first plague") serves as a timeless reminder of God's unwavering justice and His sovereign power over all creation. It teaches us that willful disobedience to God's revealed will inevitably leads to tangible and often severe consequences, not just for individuals but for entire societies. Just as the Egyptians faced the putrid stench and death of their beloved Nile, we too must acknowledge God's ultimate authority and respond to His commands with humility, repentance, and obedience. The narrative also powerfully underscores God's faithfulness to His promises, in this case, to deliver His people from oppression, even through extraordinary and awe-inspiring displays of divine power.

### FAQ
**Was the Nile literally turned into blood?**

Answer: The biblical text describes a literal transformation, stating the water "was turned to blood" ([Exodus 7:20](/exodus/7-20 "Aaron strikes the water")). While some commentators have proposed natural phenomena like red algae blooms, the text emphasizes a miraculous, instantaneous, and complete change that killed all fish and rendered the water undrinkable, far exceeding any natural occurrence. The severity and immediate impact point to a direct supernatural act of God.

**Why did the plague target the Nile so severely?**

Answer: The Nile was the lifeblood of ancient Egypt, revered as a god (Hapi) and the source of all prosperity. By turning it to blood, God directly attacked the heart of Egyptian life, economy, and religious beliefs. This demonstrated His absolute supremacy over Egypt's gods and exposed their powerlessness, proving that the true God of Israel was sovereign over even the most vital aspects of their existence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The plague of blood, transforming the source of Egypt's life into death and decay, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate spiritual transformation brought by Christ. While the Nile's blood brought physical death and judgment on a rebellious nation, the blood of Christ, shed on the cross, brings spiritual life and redemption to a fallen humanity. He is the true "living water" ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "Jesus offers living water"), [John 7:38-39](/john/7-38 "Rivers of living water")), contrasting sharply with the poisoned waters of the Nile. Just as God's judgment on Egypt delivered His people from physical bondage, Christ's sacrifice and victory over sin and death deliver believers from spiritual bondage, offering cleansing and eternal life where there was once only the stench of sin and the certainty of death.

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.