Exodus 9:18

KJV

Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, to morrow {H4279} about this time {H6256} I will cause it to rain {H4305} a very {H3966} grievous {H3515} hail {H1259}, such as hath not been {H3644} in Egypt {H4714} since {H4480} the foundation {H3117}{H3245} thereof even until now.

Complete Jewish Bible

tomorrow, about this time, I will cause a hailstorm so heavy that Egypt has had nothing like it from the day it was founded until now.

Berean Standard Bible

Behold, at this time tomorrow I will rain down the worst hail that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded until now.

American Standard Version

Behold, to-morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the day it was founded even until now.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Announces the seventh plague upon Egypt: an unprecedented and devastating hail storm, prophesied with precise timing and unparalleled severity. This divine declaration underscores God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His escalating judgments against Pharaoh's persistent defiance, revealing His power and unwavering commitment to deliver His people from bondage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the escalating narrative of the plagues, serving as the divine announcement of the seventh judgment. It follows six prior plagues—[water turned to blood](/exodus/7-19 "The First Plague: Water to Blood"), [frogs](/exodus/8-2 "The Second Plague: Frogs"), [lice](/exodus/8-16 "The Third Plague: Lice"), [flies](/exodus/8-21 "The Fourth Plague: Flies"), the [death of livestock](/exodus/9-3 "The Fifth Plague: Death of Livestock"), and [painful boils](/exodus/9-9 "The Sixth Plague: Boils")—each progressively demonstrating the Lord's supremacy over the Egyptian pantheon and intensifying pressure on Pharaoh. Despite these overwhelming displays of divine power, Pharaoh's [heart remained hardened](/exodus/9-12 "Pharaoh's Hardened Heart"), setting the stage for this unparalleled act of nature. The immediate preceding verses (Exodus 9:13-17) highlight God's explicit purpose in raising up Pharaoh: "that my power may be shewed in thee, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth" ([Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "God's Purpose in Raising Pharaoh")). The announcement of the hail plague directly fulfills this stated purpose, serving as a climactic demonstration of God's power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt, heavily reliant on the Nile and agricultural cycles, would have viewed a hail storm of this magnitude as an extraordinary and terrifying event. Hail, especially large and destructive hail, was rare in Egypt, making this plague particularly shocking and indicative of divine intervention. The plague directly challenged several prominent Egyptian deities: Nut, the sky goddess; Seth, the god of storms and chaos; and Isis, the goddess of agriculture and fertility, who was believed to protect crops. By bringing such a destructive force from the sky, Yahweh unequivocally demonstrated His superior authority over the heavens, the elements, and the very sustenance of Egypt, exposing the impotence of their gods. The specific warning allowing people to bring their livestock and servants indoors ([Exodus 9:19](/exodus/9-19 "Warning to Save Livestock and Servants")) also highlights a cultural aspect of valuing life and property, even amidst judgment, and serves as a test of obedience for the Egyptians.
* **Key Themes:** [Exodus 9:18](/exodus/9-18 "The Severity of the Hail Plague") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Exodus. Firstly, it powerfully asserts **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's absolute control over creation and His prerogative to use natural phenomena as instruments of judgment. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, illustrating God's response to persistent sin and rebellion, particularly Pharaoh's obstinacy. Each escalating plague, including this one, underscores the limits of divine patience and the increasingly severe repercussions of sustained rebellion against God's will. Thirdly, the plague serves as a **Revelation of God's Name and Power**, distinguishing Yahweh from all other gods and demonstrating His unique identity and might, not only to the Egyptians and Israelites but to all nations, as articulated in [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "God's Purpose in the Plagues"). Finally, it highlights the **Struggle Between God's Will and Human Rebellion**, portraying the cosmic conflict between divine liberation and human stubbornness, ultimately emphasizing the futility of resisting the Almighty.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Grievous (Hebrew, _kâbêd'_):** From H3515, this word literally means "heavy" or "weighty." In a negative sense, it denotes something severe, difficult, or burdensome. Here, applied to hail, it emphasizes the immense physical weight and destructive power of the impending storm. Intriguingly, _kâbêd_ is also used elsewhere in Exodus to describe Pharaoh's heart as "heavy" or "hardened" (e.g., [Exodus 4:21](/exodus/4-21 "God Hardens Pharaoh's Heart")). This linguistic connection subtly links the physical weight and severity of the hail with the spiritual weight and stubbornness of Pharaoh's heart, suggesting a fitting judgment for his heavy-handed oppression of Israel and his "heavy" refusal to acknowledge God's authority.
* **Hail (Hebrew, _bârâd'_):** From H1259, referring to frozen precipitation, specifically hailstones. The use of this term, combined with "grievous," indicates not just a rainstorm but a destructive downpour of ice. In the context of Egypt, where hail is rare, this signifies an extraordinary, unnatural event, far beyond typical weather patterns, thus highlighting its miraculous and judgmental nature.
* **Foundation (Hebrew, _yâçad'_ and _yôwm'_):** The phrase "since the foundation thereof" combines H3245 (_yâçad_), meaning "to found" or "establish," with H3117 (_yôwm_), meaning "day" or "time." Together, they convey the sense of "since the day it was founded" or "since its establishment." This emphasizes the unprecedented nature of the hail, asserting that no such event had occurred in Egypt's entire recorded history, from its very beginning. This hyperbole underscores the unique and catastrophic scale of God's judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, to morrow about this time":** This opening phrase functions as a divine summons to attention, emphasizing the certainty and precise timing of the impending judgment. God is not merely predicting a natural event but actively orchestrating it for a specific moment. This precision leaves no room for doubt that the plague is a direct, deliberate act of Yahweh, not a random occurrence.
* **"I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail":** This clause reveals the specific nature of the judgment—a hail storm—and its extraordinary severity. The "I will cause it" highlights God's direct agency and control over the elements. The addition of "very grievous" (Hebrew: _mᵉʼôd kâbêd_) intensifies the description, promising a hail of unparalleled destructive power, far beyond any normal weather phenomenon.
* **"such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now":** This declaration underscores the unprecedented and unique nature of this plague. It is a catastrophe of historical proportions, unparalleled in Egypt's entire existence. This hyperbole serves to magnify the power of God and the severity of His judgment, demonstrating that this is an act of divine intervention unlike anything the Egyptians or Israelites have ever witnessed.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 9:18 employs several powerful literary devices. **Divine Speech** is central, as God directly addresses Pharaoh through Moses, lending immense authority and certainty to the pronouncement. The phrase "Behold, to morrow about this time" functions as a **Prophetic Announcement**, establishing a precise timeline for the fulfillment of God's word, thereby demonstrating His control over time and events. The description of the hail as "very grievous" and "such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now" is a clear example of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the unparalleled and catastrophic nature of the impending judgment. This exaggerated language serves to highlight the extraordinary power of God and the severity of Pharaoh's defiance. Furthermore, the plague itself acts as **Symbolism**, with the hail representing God's destructive power and His judgment against the false gods of Egypt, particularly those associated with weather and fertility.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Exodus 9:18](/exodus/9-18 "God's Sovereignty in Judgment") profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, demonstrating that natural forces are not autonomous but are instruments in His hand for His purposes, whether in judgment or blessing. The escalating severity of the plagues, culminating in this unprecedented hail, reveals God's just character in responding to persistent sin and rebellion, showing that His patience has limits and unrepentant defiance ultimately leads to severe consequences. This revelation of Yahweh's unique identity and power, distinguishing Him from all other gods, was for the benefit of both the Israelites, strengthening their faith, and the Egyptians, offering them a chance to know the true God. The entire plague narrative, highlighted by this verse, is a dramatic portrayal of the cosmic conflict between the divine will for liberation and human stubbornness, emphasizing the futility of resisting the Almighty.

* [Psalm 105:32-33](/psalms/105-32-33 "God's Control Over Hail and Fire") - This psalm recounts the plagues, specifically mentioning the hail and fire, affirming God's direct agency in these events.
* [Job 38:22-23](/job/38-22-23 "God's Storehouses of Hail") - God questions Job about His "treasures of the hail" and "hailstones, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war," affirming His sovereign control over hail as a weapon of judgment.
* [Revelation 16:21](/revelation/16-21 "Great Hail in Final Judgment") - In the eschatological context, massive hailstones are again unleashed as a final judgment, demonstrating that God's use of hail as a tool of judgment continues until the end of time.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Exodus 9:18](/exodus/9-18 "Lessons from the Hail Plague") serves as a profound reminder of God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and His unwavering commitment to justice. For believers, it reinforces the truth that God is in control, even amidst seemingly chaotic or devastating natural events, and that His purposes will ultimately prevail. It also stands as a sober warning regarding the consequences of persistent defiance against God's revealed will. Just as God gave Pharaoh clear warnings and opportunities for repentance, He continues to extend grace and calls for humility and obedience. This verse encourages us to respond to God's word with reverence, recognizing His immense power and His ultimate authority over all things, and to trust in His just and sovereign plan. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for areas of stubbornness and to yield to His will, knowing that His judgments are just and His deliverance is sure for those who trust Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precision of God's warning in this verse challenge our understanding of divine sovereignty and human responsibility?**
* **In what ways might we, like Pharaoh, harden our hearts to God's clear warnings today?**
* **How does the unprecedented nature of this plague strengthen your faith in God's unique power and authority over all creation?**
* **What aspects of God's character (justice, patience, power) are most clearly revealed to you in this passage, and how do they apply to your life?**

### FAQ
**Was the hail plague a natural phenomenon or a supernatural event?**

Answer: While hail is a natural phenomenon, the Bible presents the hail plague in [Exodus 9:18](/exodus/9-18 "The Supernatural Nature of the Hail Plague") as a distinctly supernatural event due to several key factors. Its precise timing ("to morrow about this time"), its unprecedented severity ("such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof"), and its selective nature (sparing the land of Goshen where the Israelites lived, as noted in [Exodus 9:26](/exodus/9-26 "Goshen Spared from the Hail")) all point to it being a direct, targeted act of divine judgment rather than a mere severe weather pattern. These details underscore God's active and miraculous intervention.

**Why did God warn Pharaoh before sending the plague?**

Answer: God's warnings, such as the one in [Exodus 9:18](/exodus/9-18 "God's Warning to Pharaoh"), served multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, they demonstrated God's justice and patience by giving Pharaoh repeated opportunities to repent and avoid further calamity, revealing that God takes no pleasure in the destruction of the wicked. Secondly, these warnings highlighted God's power and authority, proving that the plagues were not random occurrences or natural disasters, but deliberate and controlled acts of the Lord. Thirdly, they served to distinguish the true God, Yahweh, from the impotent gods of Egypt, thereby revealing His glory and unique power to both the Egyptians and the Israelites. Finally, the warnings, particularly the one in [Exodus 9:19](/exodus/9-19 "Warning to Save Livestock"), offered a chance for any Egyptian who feared the Lord to obey and find protection, demonstrating God's mercy even amidst judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The plague of hail in [Exodus 9:18](/exodus/9-18 "Christ's Authority Over Creation and Judgment") powerfully foreshadows Christ's ultimate authority over all creation and His multifaceted role as both the Deliverer and the Judge. Just as God's power was demonstrated in judgment against Egypt to liberate Israel from physical bondage, Christ, through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, executed a decisive judgment on sin and death, providing ultimate spiritual deliverance for His people from the bondage of sin ([Romans 6:6-7](/romans/6-6-7 "Freed from Sin")). The plagues revealed God's glory and power to the nations, but Christ is the full and final revelation of God's character and power, embodying both divine justice and boundless mercy ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")). He is the one who will ultimately "shake not the earth only, but also heaven" ([Hebrews 12:26](/hebrews/12-26 "Christ's Authority in Judgment")), bringing final judgment upon all unrighteousness and establishing His eternal kingdom ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Christ")). The selective nature of the plagues, sparing Israel, also prefigures Christ's redemptive work, where believers are shielded from the wrath to come through His atoning sacrifice ([1 Thessalonians 1:10](/1_thessalonians/1-10 "Delivered from the Wrath to Come")). Thus, the terrifying hail in Exodus anticipates the perfect storm of God's wrath poured out on Christ, so that those who trust in Him might find refuge and eternal life.

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

Psalms 83:15

So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.

Exodus 9:22

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.

Exodus 9:25

And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that [was] in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.

1 Kings 20:6

Yet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, [that] whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put [it] in their hand, and take [it] away.

1 Kings 19:2

Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do [to me], and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

2 Kings 7:1

¶ Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time [shall] a measure of fine flour [be sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.

2 Kings 7:18

And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria: