Exodus 9:22

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, Stretch forth {H5186} thine hand {H3027} toward heaven {H8064}, that there may be hail {H1259} in all the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, upon man {H120}, and upon beast {H929}, and upon every herb {H6212} of the field {H7704}, throughout the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI said to Moshe, "Reach out your hand toward the sky, so that there will be hail in all the land of Egypt, falling on people, animals and everything growing in the field, throughout the land of Egypt."

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt—on man and beast and every plant of the field throughout the land of Egypt.”

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said unto Moses, Stretch forth thy 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 9:22 introduces the devastating seventh plague upon Egypt—a catastrophic hail storm—commanded directly by the LORD to Moses. This verse serves as a powerful declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over creation, His escalating and righteous judgment against Pharaoh's persistent rebellion, and Moses's critical role as the divinely appointed agent through whom this destructive force would be unleashed, impacting every facet of Egyptian life from its people and animals to the vital agricultural fields.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 9:22 is a pivotal command within the escalating narrative of the plagues, marking the transition from a series of discomforting and debilitating judgments to overtly destructive ones. Preceding this verse, Egypt had already endured six plagues: the [Nile turned to blood](/exodus/7-17 "The First Plague: Water to Blood"), a [proliferation of frogs](/exodus/8-6 "The Second Plague: Frogs"), the infestation of [gnats](/exodus/8-17 "The Third Plague: Gnats"), swarms of [flies](/exodus/8-24 "The Fourth Plague: Flies"), a deadly [pestilence on livestock](/exodus/9-3 "The Fifth Plague: Diseased Livestock"), and painful [boils](/exodus/9-10 "The Sixth Plague: Boils") afflicting both Egyptians and their magicians. Despite these clear demonstrations of Yahweh's power, [Pharaoh's heart remained hardened](/exodus/9-12 "Pharaoh's Heart Hardened by the LORD"), setting the stage for even more severe and widespread judgments. Immediately following this divine decree, [Exodus 9:23-26](/exodus/9-23 "The Hail Falls with Fire") vividly describes the terrifying execution of the hail storm, emphasizing its unprecedented severity and God's miraculous preservation of the land of Goshen, where the Israelites resided.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was an agrarian society whose economic and social stability was fundamentally dependent on its fertile lands, abundant crops, and livestock. A plague of destructive hail, especially one of such unprecedented severity, represented an existential threat to their very means of survival. Beyond the physical devastation, the plagues were direct assaults on the Egyptian pantheon, designed to demonstrate the LORD's absolute supremacy over their gods. The hail plague specifically challenged deities associated with the sky, weather, and agricultural fertility, such as Nut (sky goddess), Shu (god of air), Seth (god of storms and chaos), and even Osiris (god of fertility and the underworld, whose realm included crops). The destruction of "every herb of the field" would have been particularly devastating, directly undermining the food security and economic foundation of the nation, further highlighting the futility of Pharaoh's resistance against the one true God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Exodus. Firstly, it amplifies the theme of **God's absolute sovereignty and power** over all creation, demonstrating His ability to manipulate natural forces as instruments of His will, directly contrasting with the impotence of Egyptian deities. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine judgment against sin and rebellion**, as the escalating severity of the plagues directly correlates with Pharaoh's increasing defiance and oppression of God's people. This judgment is not arbitrary but a righteous response to injustice and idolatry, leading to the fulfillment of God's promise to deliver Israel. Thirdly, Moses's role as God's obedient agent highlights the theme of **divine agency and human mediation**, where God chooses and empowers individuals to carry out His purposes, even in the face of formidable opposition, as seen throughout the plague narratives (e.g., [Exodus 7:19](/exodus/7-19 "Moses stretches out his hand over the waters")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 9:22 is a concise divine command that meticulously sets the stage for one of the most destructive and terrifying plagues, revealing God's precise control and the comprehensive nature of His judgment.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This term (H3068) refers to the self-Existent or Eternal God, the covenant name of God for Israel. Its presence at the beginning of the command emphasizes that this is not a random natural phenomenon but a direct, intentional act of the sovereign God, Yahweh. It underscores His unique identity as the only true God, directly challenging the polytheism of Egypt and asserting His authority over all creation and all nations.
* **Stretch forth (Hebrew, _nâṭâh'_):** This verb (H5186) means "to stretch or spread out," often implying a bending or extending. In this context, it describes Moses's physical action of extending his hand towards heaven. This recurring motif throughout the plague narratives signifies Moses's role not as the source of power, but as the obedient and chosen human instrument through whom God's divine power is channeled. It highlights the direct link between divine command, human obedience, and the resulting supernatural event.
* **Hail (Hebrew, _bârâd'_):** This noun (H1259) refers to frozen precipitation. In the hot climate of Egypt, a severe hailstorm would have been an incredibly rare and terrifying phenomenon, immediately signaling an unnatural, supernatural event rather than a mere weather occurrence. Its destructive potential, especially when described as "fire mingled with the hail" in [Exodus 9:23](/exodus/9-23 "The Hail Falls"), underscores its nature as a potent instrument of divine judgment, specifically targeting the lifeblood of Egyptian society: its agriculture, people, and animals.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And the LORD said unto Moses,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the divine origin and authority behind the impending event. This is not a human initiative or a natural occurrence, but a direct, verbal command from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, highlighting His absolute control and intentionality in the unfolding drama of the plagues.
* **"Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven,"**: Moses is instructed to perform a visible, symbolic action. Directing his hand "toward heaven" signifies that the judgment originates from the celestial realm, from the God who commands the very elements of the sky. This act serves as an instrumental cause, a public demonstration of Moses's role as God's mediator, channeling divine power to earth.
* **"that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt,"**: The explicit purpose of Moses's action is stated: to bring about a specific, destructive plague. The phrase "in all the land of Egypt" emphasizes the intended widespread and comprehensive impact, signifying a judgment designed to leave no part of the nation untouched, except where God specifically chose to preserve.
* **"upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt."**: This final clause meticulously details the comprehensive targets of the hail. It would indiscriminately affect human life, animal life (crucial for labor, transportation, and food), and all vegetation (the foundational basis of their agrarian economy). The repetition of "throughout the land of Egypt" powerfully reinforces the universal, devastating scope of this judgment, indicating a direct and total assault on the very fabric of Egyptian society and livelihood.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **divine command** as its primary literary device, immediately establishing God's direct agency and absolute authority over creation and human affairs. The **repetition** of the phrase "all the land of Egypt" and "throughout the land of Egypt" serves to emphasize the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the impending judgment, underscoring its totality. Moses's action of "stretching forth his hand toward heaven" functions as a powerful **symbolic gesture** that visibly links divine power to human obedience, acting as a conduit for God's sovereign will to be executed upon the earth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 9:22 powerfully articulates several core theological truths. Primarily, it underscores God's **absolute sovereignty over creation** and His ability to wield natural forces as instruments of His divine will and judgment. This plague, like those before it, demonstrates that the LORD is not merely a tribal deity but the supreme God who commands the heavens and the earth, thus challenging and utterly discrediting the false gods of Egypt associated with weather, sky, and fertility. It also highlights God's **unwavering justice** in response to Pharaoh's persistent rebellion and oppression of His people. The escalating severity of the plagues reveals God's patience, yet also His commitment to delivering His promises and punishing those who defy Him. Finally, Moses's obedience in stretching out his hand emphasizes the theme of **divine agency**, where God works through chosen human instruments to accomplish His purposes. This verse connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant faithfulness and His ultimate triumph over all opposing powers. It foreshadows God's future acts of judgment against His enemies and His ultimate deliverance of His people.

* [Psalm 148:8](/psalms/148-8 "God commands hail and snow")
* [Revelation 16:21](/revelation/16-21 "Great hail from heaven in Revelation")
* [Exodus 9:26](/exodus/9-26 "No hail in Goshen")
* [Exodus 8:22-23](/exodus/8-22 "God makes a distinction between Egypt and Goshen")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 9:22 serves as a profound reminder that God is actively involved in the world, not as a distant observer, but as the sovereign Lord who orchestrates events, even those that appear to be natural disasters. For believers today, this verse reinforces trust in a God who is in ultimate control, even amidst chaos, suffering, or seemingly insurmountable challenges. It encourages us to recognize His hand in all circumstances, knowing that His purposes, though sometimes mysterious, are always just and ultimately redemptive for His people. It also serves as a solemn warning that persistent rebellion against God's will carries severe consequences, urging us to humble ourselves and obey His commands. Just as Moses faithfully stretched out his hand, we are called to be obedient agents in God's plan, trusting that His power will work through our faithfulness to bring about His will in our lives and in the world around us. This passage challenges us to consider our own posture before the Almighty: are we like Pharaoh, hardening our hearts, or like Moses, humbly submitting to His divine directives?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God's absolute sovereignty over creation impact your perspective on natural disasters or personal hardships?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be resisting God's will, and what might this verse prompt you to consider about the consequences of such resistance?**
* **How can you, like Moses, faithfully act as God's agent in your sphere of influence, trusting that He will work through your obedience?**

### FAQ
**Why did God use such destructive means like hail?**

Answer: God used the plagues, including destructive hail, as a means of divine judgment to demonstrate His absolute power over Egypt's false gods and to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. The escalating severity was intended to break Pharaoh's stubbornness and to show both Egyptians and Israelites that the LORD alone is God, fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was a necessary, powerful display to secure the deliverance of His people and to establish His name throughout the earth, as stated in [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "God raised Pharaoh up to show His power").

**Does God still send natural disasters today as a form of judgment?**

Answer: While the Bible clearly shows God using natural phenomena for specific judgment in historical contexts (like the plagues or the Flood), interpreting every modern natural disaster as a direct, specific judgment from God is complex and often misapplied. Scripture indicates that creation itself groans under the weight of sin and the curse ([Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Creation groans under sin")), and natural disasters can be a consequence of a fallen world. However, they also serve as a constant reminder of God's power, the fragility of life, and our dependence on Him. They can be used by God to call people to repentance, to test and refine the faith of believers, or to reveal His glory in unexpected ways.

**What is the significance of Moses stretching out his hand?**

Answer: Moses stretching out his hand is a recurring motif in the plague narratives, signifying his role as God's chosen and obedient agent. It's not that Moses himself possessed the inherent power to conjure plagues, but his physical action was the visible, human instrument through which God's divine power was channeled. This highlights that God works through human obedience and that the plagues were not random events but divinely initiated acts in response to Pharaoh's defiance, with Moses acting as the mediator of God's will. It underscores the principle that God often uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes when they faithfully obey His commands.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 9:22, while describing a physical judgment in the Old Testament, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. The theme of God's **absolute sovereignty over creation** is powerfully demonstrated in Jesus Christ, who, as God incarnate, displayed ultimate authority over nature. He calmed raging storms with a mere word ([Matthew 8:23-27](/matthew/8-23 "Jesus calms the storm")), walked on water, and multiplied food, demonstrating that the same divine power that brought hail upon Egypt resided fully in Him. Furthermore, the plagues, including the hail, serve as a foreshadowing of God's ultimate **judgment against sin and rebellion**. While the hail brought physical devastation to Egypt, Jesus Christ bore the full weight of God's judgment against humanity's sin on the cross ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ became sin for us")). He became the ultimate "plague" for sin, enduring the divine wrath so that those who believe in Him might be spared from eternal judgment. The deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage through God's mighty hand, exemplified by the plagues, points to Christ as the **ultimate Deliverer** from spiritual bondage to sin and death ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Christ has set us free")). Just as God made a distinction between Israel and Egypt during the plagues, Christ's work on the cross establishes a new covenant, creating a people set apart from the world, protected from God's final wrath. Finally, Moses, as God's obedient agent and mediator in bringing judgment and deliverance, foreshadows Jesus Christ, the **ultimate Mediator** between God and humanity ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "One Mediator between God and men")), through whom all God's promises of salvation and judgment are perfectly fulfilled.

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

Revelation 16:21

And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, [every stone] about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

Exodus 8:5

And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.

Exodus 7:19

And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and [that] there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in [vessels of] wood, and in [vessels of] stone.

Exodus 8:16

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.