Exodus 7:9

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.

When Pharaoh {H6547} shall speak {H1696} unto you, saying {H559}, Shew {H5414} a miracle {H4159} for you: then thou shalt say {H559} unto Aaron {H175}, Take {H3947} thy rod {H4294}, and cast {H7993} it before {H6440} Pharaoh {H6547}, and it shall become a serpent {H8577}.

"When Pharaoh says to you, 'Perform a miracle,' tell Aharon to take his staff and throw it down in front of Pharaoh, so that it can become a snake."

“When Pharaoh tells you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ you are to say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a serpent.”

When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Show a wonder for you; then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent.

Commentary

Exodus 7:9 records God's specific instruction to Moses and Aaron regarding the first major sign they were to perform before Pharaoh. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic confrontation between the Lord God of Israel and the powerful ruler of Egypt, demonstrating divine authority through miraculous intervention.

Context

This verse is part of the initial exchange between Moses, Aaron, and Pharaoh, shortly after God commissioned Moses at the burning bush. God had already revealed His intention to deliver Israel and bring judgment upon Egypt (see Exodus 7:4-5). Pharaoh, accustomed to the magic and sorcery of his own court, would naturally demand a sign to validate the claims of these two Israelites. This command from God prepares Moses and Aaron for Pharaoh's anticipated challenge, ensuring they are ready to demonstrate the power of the true God.

Key Themes

  • Divine Empowerment: God directly instructs Moses and Aaron on how to perform this miracle, signifying that the power originates from Him, not from their own abilities. It’s a testament to God's enablement of His chosen servants.
  • Confrontation of Powers: The turning of the rod into a serpent is not just a parlor trick but a direct challenge to Pharaoh's authority and the gods of Egypt. Serpents were often associated with Egyptian royalty (e.g., the uraeus on Pharaoh's crown), making this sign particularly significant as a display of God's power over the symbols of human and pagan authority.
  • Authenticity of God's Message: This miracle serves as undeniable proof that Moses and Aaron are indeed messengers from the Almighty, sent to demand the release of His people. It is the first in a series of signs and wonders designed to convince both Pharaoh and the Israelites of God's supreme power.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "serpent" used here is tannin (תַּנִּין). While often translated as "serpent," it can also refer to a "dragon" or "sea monster," implying something much larger and more formidable than a common snake. This contrasts with the word nachash (נָחָשׁ) used in Exodus 4:3, when Moses' rod first turned into a snake at the burning bush. The use of tannin in Pharaoh's court emphasizes the awe-inspiring and potentially terrifying nature of the transformation, elevating it from a simple trick to a display of overwhelming power that would challenge the Egyptian magicians who were also capable of turning their rods into nachash (Exodus 7:11).

Practical Application

Exodus 7:9 reminds us that God equips His servants for the tasks He calls them to, even when facing formidable opposition. It teaches us about:

  • Obedience to God's Word: Moses and Aaron were to follow God's precise instructions, trusting that He would bring about the miraculous. Our faithfulness in obedience opens the door for God's power to work through us.
  • God's Supremacy: No human power, political system, or false deity can stand against the will and power of the Lord. This verse foreshadows God's ultimate victory over all the gods of Egypt through the subsequent plagues.
  • The Need for Divine Proof: In a world skeptical of spiritual claims, God often provides clear evidence of His presence and power through His people and His work, confirming His truth and authority.

This foundational miracle laid the groundwork for the Exodus narrative, establishing God's unparalleled authority and setting the stage for the deliverance of Israel.

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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 2:18

    Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

  • Isaiah 7:11

    Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.

  • Exodus 4:2

    And the LORD said unto him, What [is] that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.

  • John 6:30

    They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

  • Exodus 4:17

    And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.

  • Exodus 10:13

    And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all [that] night; [and] when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.

  • Exodus 4:20

    And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
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