Exodus 7:20

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 Moses {H4872} and Aaron {H175} did {H6213} so, as the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680}; and he lifted up {H7311} the rod {H4294}, and smote {H5221} the waters {H4325} that were in the river {H2975}, in the sight {H5869} of Pharaoh {H6547}, and in the sight {H5869} of his servants {H5650}; and all the waters {H4325} that were in the river {H2975} were turned {H2015} to blood {H1818}.

Moshe and Aharon did exactly what ADONAI had ordered. He raised the staff and, in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, struck the water in the river; and all the water in the river was turned into blood.

Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood.

And Moses and Aaron did so, as Jehovah 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.

Commentary

Exodus 7:20 records the dramatic onset of the first plague upon Egypt, a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative of the Exodus. This verse details the immediate consequence of Moses and Aaron's obedience to God's command: the transformation of the Nile River's waters into blood.

Context

This event immediately follows Pharaoh's defiant refusal to release the Israelites from bondage and his dismissal of Moses and Aaron's divine authority. The Lord had previously informed Moses that Pharaoh would harden his heart (Exodus 7:3), and that the plagues would serve as demonstrations of God's supreme power, convincing both Egyptians and Israelites of His identity as the one true God. The turning of the Nile to blood was not merely a discomfort; it was a direct assault on the very lifeblood of Egypt, which revered the Nile as a source of fertility and divine blessing, associated with deities like Hapi and Osiris. This act of judgment was performed "in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants," ensuring its undeniable impact.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Obedience: The phrase "as the LORD commanded" highlights the crucial theme of immediate and unwavering obedience. Moses and Aaron acted not on their own initiative but as instruments of God's will, demonstrating the importance of heeding God's voice.
  • God's Power Over Creation: This plague powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over nature. The transformation of water, a fundamental element of life, into blood, a symbol of death and defilement, showcased a power far beyond that of any Egyptian deity or pharaoh.
  • Confrontation with Idolatry: By striking the Nile, God directly challenged the spiritual foundations of Egypt. The Nile was worshipped and considered sacred; its defilement signified the impotence of Egypt's gods and the supremacy of the Lord.
  • Judgment and Revelation: The plague served as an act of divine judgment against Egypt's oppression and idolatry, while simultaneously revealing God's character and power to Israel and the Egyptians alike. It was part of God's plan to make His name known throughout all the earth (Exodus 9:16).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "river" used here is ye'or (יְאֹר), which specifically refers to the Nile River, the lifeblood of ancient Egypt. The term "blood" (דָּם, dam) carries connotations of life and death, and its presence in the water rendered it unusable, defiled, and a source of dread. This was a profound disruption to daily life and religious practice.

Practical Application

Exodus 7:20 reminds us that God's power is limitless and that He is sovereign over all creation. It encourages believers to trust in His authority and to obey His commands, even when the task seems daunting or the opposition overwhelming. Just as God confronted the false gods of Egypt, He continues to challenge anything that takes His rightful place in our lives, whether it be wealth, power, or personal desires. This verse underscores that God will act decisively to fulfill His purposes and reveal His glory, often in ways that defy human expectation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 105:29

    He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.

  • Psalms 78:44

    And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.

  • Exodus 17:9

    And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

  • Exodus 17:12

    But Moses' hands [were] heavy; and they took a stone, and put [it] under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

  • Revelation 8:8

    And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;

  • Exodus 17:5

    And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.

  • Exodus 17:6

    Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
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