Exodus 9:21

KJV

And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he that regarded {H7760}{H3820} not the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} left {H5800} his servants {H5650} and his cattle {H4735} in the field {H7704}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but those who had no regard for what ADONAI had said left their slaves and livestock in the field.

Berean Standard Bible

but those who disregarded the word of the LORD left their servants and livestock in the field.

American Standard Version

and he that regarded not the word of Jehovah left his servants and his cattle in the field.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Exodus 9:21](/exodus/9-21 "The disobedience of some Egyptians") is situated within the devastating seventh plague of hail, highlighting the stark contrast between those Egyptians who heeded God's explicit warning to bring their livestock and servants indoors and those who deliberately disregarded it, resulting in the tragic loss of their property and lives. It underscores the immediate and severe consequences of choosing indifference or defiance towards divine instruction, serving as a powerful illustration of the principle that choices regarding God's word have tangible outcomes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [Exodus 9:21](/exodus/9-21 "The disobedience of some Egyptians") is nestled within the narrative of the seventh plague, the plague of devastating hail and fire, described in [Exodus 9:18-35](/exodus/9-18 "The seventh plague: hail, thunder, and fire"). Immediately preceding this verse, the LORD, through Moses, issued a clear and merciful warning: "Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die" ([Exodus 9:19](/exodus/9-19 "God's warning about the hail")). In direct contrast to the subject of [Exodus 9:21](/exodus/9-21 "The disobedience of some Egyptians"), [Exodus 9:20](/exodus/9-20 "The obedience of some Egyptians") explicitly states that "He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses." Thus, [Exodus 9:21](/exodus/9-21 "The disobedience of some Egyptians") serves as the negative counterpart, illustrating the fate of those who chose indifference. This immediate literary juxtaposition emphasizes the critical nature of responding to God's word.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Egypt, livestock (cattle, sheep, goats) represented significant wealth and sustenance, vital for agriculture, transport, and food. Servants, too, were valuable assets, often comprising a significant portion of a household's labor force. To "leave his servants and his cattle in the field" was to expose one's most valuable possessions and human capital to certain destruction, a testament to profound disregard or disbelief. The concept of a divine warning before judgment was not unique to Israelite theology; various ancient Near Eastern cultures had narratives of gods issuing warnings or signs. However, the specificity and directness of Yahweh's warning, coupled with the immediate and visible consequences, highlight the unique power and justice of the God of Israel. Pharaoh's repeated hardening of his heart provides a backdrop for understanding the similar, albeit individual, hardening of heart described here among his servants.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"regarded not"** (KJV) / **"did not pay attention to"** (NIV): This translates the Hebrew phrase לֹא שָׂם לִבּוֹ (_lo sam libbo_), which literally means "did not set his heart upon" or "did not give his attention to." This is far more than a passive oversight; it implies a deliberate choice of indifference, neglect, or even contempt. It suggests a willful refusal to consider, believe, or act upon the warning. It is an active posture of disregard, indicating a hardened heart or a profound lack of fear of the LORD, in stark contrast to those in [Exodus 9:20](/exodus/9-20 "Those who feared the word of the LORD").
* **"word of the LORD"**: This phrase, frequently used throughout the Old Testament, refers to God's direct, authoritative, and revealed communication. It is not merely advice but a divine decree or instruction that carries the weight of His character and power. To disregard the "word of the LORD" is to disregard God Himself and His sovereign will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he that regarded not the word of the LORD"**: This clause identifies the subject of the verse: an individual (or group) among Pharaoh's servants who consciously chose not to heed the divine warning delivered by Moses. The phrase "regarded not" (as discussed above) signifies a deliberate act of indifference or defiance, a failure to "set one's heart" on God's explicit instruction. This highlights a fundamental choice of unbelief or apathy in the face of revealed truth.
* **"left his servants and his cattle in the field"**: This describes the direct and tragic consequence of that disregard. By leaving their valuable human and animal assets exposed, these individuals demonstrated a profound lack of foresight, trust, or fear. The "field" was the place of vulnerability during the impending hail, contrasting with the safety of "houses" mentioned in [Exodus 9:19](/exodus/9-19 "God's warning about the hail") and [Exodus 9:20](/exodus/9-20 "Those who feared the word of the LORD"). Their actions were a direct result of their internal disposition towards God's word, leading to material and human loss.

#### Literary Devices
* The primary literary device at play is **juxtaposition** or **contrast**. [Exodus 9:20](/exodus/9-20 "The obedience of some Egyptians") and [Exodus 9:21](/exodus/9-21 "The disobedience of some Egyptians") are set side-by-side to highlight the two possible responses to God's warning: fear and obedience versus disregard and disobedience. This parallelism effectively illustrates the immediate and differing outcomes based on human choice in the face of divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates several core theological truths. First, it underscores **God's merciful nature even in judgment**. Before unleashing devastation, God issues a clear, specific warning, providing an opportunity for repentance and escape. This demonstrates His desire for life, not death, and His patience before righteous judgment. Second, it highlights the **critical importance of human response to divine revelation**. God's word is not merely information; it demands a response. The differing outcomes in [Exodus 9:20](/exodus/9-20 "Those who feared the word of the LORD") and [Exodus 9:21](/exodus/9-21 "The disobedience of some Egyptians") vividly demonstrate that heeding God's word leads to protection, while disregarding it leads to destruction. This is a foundational principle throughout Scripture: wisdom is found in obeying God's commands, and folly in rejecting them. Finally, the verse speaks to **God's unwavering justice**. While mercifully providing a way of escape, He also ensures that those who willfully defy His word face the consequences of their choices. This reinforces the theme of divine accountability and the reality that God's warnings are not empty threats.

This theme of heeding or disregarding God's word resonates throughout the biblical narrative.
* In the Old Testament, the prophets consistently called Israel to "listen to the word of the LORD," warning of judgment for disobedience and promising blessing for obedience ([Deuteronomy 28:1-68](/deuteronomy/28 "Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience")).
* [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge") states that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge," implying that true wisdom begins with a reverent regard for God and His word, directly contrasting the "regarded not" attitude of [Exodus 9:21](/exodus/9-21 "The disobedience of some Egyptians").
* The New Testament echoes this, emphasizing the danger of neglecting God's warnings and the eternal consequences of rejecting His ultimate revelation in Christ ([Hebrews 2:3](/hebrews/2-3 "The danger of neglecting salvation")).

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Exodus 9:21](/exodus/9-21 "The disobedience of some Egyptians") serves as a timeless cautionary tale for all who encounter God's truth. In a world saturated with information, it challenges us to discern and prioritize God's voice above all others. This verse calls us to move beyond passive hearing to active heeding, recognizing that our choices regarding God's word have tangible, often profound, consequences in our lives. It encourages us to cultivate a heart that is not merely open, but receptive and responsive to divine instruction, whether it comes as a warning against sin, guidance for daily living, or a promise of blessing. Just as the Egyptians faced a physical storm, we face spiritual and relational "storms" where God's wisdom provides the only true shelter. Our spiritual and relational "assets" (our peace, relationships, integrity, eternal destiny) are at risk if we treat God's word with indifference or contempt.

#### Questions for Reflection
* In what areas of my life might I be "regarding not" or deliberately ignoring a clear warning or instruction from God's Word?
* What steps can I take to cultivate a more "fearful" (reverent and obedient) heart towards the "word of the LORD" in my daily life?
* How does my response to God's word today reflect my trust in His character and His promises?

### FAQ

**Why did God warn them if He knew some would disobey?**

Answer: God's warnings are an expression of His justice and mercy. Even when He knows the outcome of human choice, He still provides clear instruction and opportunity for repentance. This demonstrates His righteousness—no one can claim ignorance—and His patience, offering a chance for escape. It also highlights human responsibility; the choice to disregard the warning was theirs, not God's imposition.

**Is this verse only about literal livestock and servants, or does it have broader meaning?**

Answer: While the immediate context is literal, the verse carries profound symbolic and spiritual weight. Livestock and servants represented wealth and security in ancient times. Their loss signifies the devastating consequences of spiritual indifference. Spiritually, "leaving one's servants and cattle in the field" can represent neglecting one's spiritual well-being, one's relationships, or one's eternal destiny by failing to heed God's warnings about sin, judgment, or the need for salvation.

**Does God still punish people directly for disobedience today, like He did in Exodus?**

Answer: The nature of God's judgment has evolved with redemptive history. While God's character (justice, holiness) remains unchanged, direct, physical plagues like those in Exodus are not the typical mode of divine judgment in the New Covenant era. However, the principle remains: disobedience to God's revealed will still carries consequences. These may manifest as natural consequences of sin (e.g., relational breakdown, internal turmoil), spiritual consequences (e.g., separation from God, hardening of heart), or ultimately, eternal judgment. The New Testament emphasizes that the ultimate consequence of disregarding God's word is separation from Him, and the ultimate warning is against rejecting Christ ([John 3:18](/john/3-18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Exodus 9:21](/exodus/9-21 "The disobedience of some Egyptians") powerfully prefigures the ultimate "word of the LORD" given to humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. While the warning in Exodus concerned physical safety from a literal storm, Jesus Himself is the embodiment of God's final and most crucial warning and invitation. He is the "Word made flesh" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word became flesh")), through whom God speaks His definitive message of salvation and judgment.

Just as some Egyptians "regarded not the word of the LORD" and faced destruction, the New Testament presents the ultimate choice: to heed or disregard Jesus, the living Word. Those who "fear the word of the LORD" in the New Covenant are those who believe in Jesus, repent of their sins, and obey His commands, finding spiritual refuge and eternal life in Him ([John 3:16-18](/john/3-16 "For God so loved the world")). Conversely, those who "regard not" or reject Christ face the ultimate, eternal consequences of being left exposed to God's righteous wrath, symbolized not by hail, but by eternal separation from God ([Matthew 25:46](/matthew/25-46 "Eternal punishment and eternal life")). Christ's sacrifice on the cross provides the ultimate "shelter" from the storm of God's judgment for all who heed His call, fulfilling the pattern of divine warning and provision seen in the Exodus narrative.

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.