Exodus 9:31

KJV

And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley [was] in the ear, and the flax [was] bolled.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the flax {H6594} and the barley {H8184} was smitten {H5221}: for the barley {H8184} was in the ear {H24}, and the flax {H6594} was bolled {H1392}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The flax and barley were ruined, because the barley was ripe and the flax in bud.

Berean Standard Bible

(Now the flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley was ripe and the flax was in bloom;

American Standard Version

And the flax and the barley were smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was in bloom.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 9:31 meticulously chronicles the precise agricultural devastation wrought by the seventh plague upon Egypt, specifically targeting and destroying the flax and barley crops. This verse underscores the meticulous nature of God's judgment, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over creation and His purposeful actions against Pharaoh's persistent defiance, as these vital crops were struck down at their most vulnerable, near-harvest stage, unlike other grains.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the dramatic narrative of the ten plagues, serving as a specific detail within the account of the seventh plague, the devastating hail storm. Preceding this verse, [Exodus 9:23-26](/exodus/9-23-26 "The Plague of Hail") describes the unprecedented severity of the hail, which struck down everything in the open field, from humans and animals to vegetation, throughout Egypt, while miraculously sparing the land of Goshen where the Israelites resided. Exodus 9:31 functions as a precise agricultural explanation, detailing *why* certain crops were destroyed while others were not—a point further elucidated in [Exodus 9:32](/exodus/9-32 "Wheat and Rye Spared"), which notes that wheat and rye were spared because they were not yet mature. This specificity highlights the deliberate, controlled, and targeted nature of God's judgment, emphasizing His intimate knowledge of the Egyptian agricultural cycle.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt's civilization was fundamentally agrarian, with its prosperity inextricably linked to the annual inundation of the Nile. Flax and barley were cornerstones of the Egyptian economy and daily life. Flax was indispensable for producing linen, the ubiquitous textile used for clothing, sails, burial shrouds, and a significant trade commodity. Barley served as a staple food crop, primarily for making bread and beer, which were consumed by all social strata, and also as fodder for livestock. The destruction of these crops, particularly when they were "in the ear" (barley) and "bolled" (flax)—meaning they were mature and nearing harvest—represented a catastrophic economic and social blow. This targeted assault on their agricultural foundation directly challenged the pantheon of Egyptian deities associated with fertility, agriculture, and weather, such as Osiris (god of the afterlife, the Nile, and agriculture), Isis (goddess of fertility and motherhood), and Seth (god of storms and chaos), unequivocally demonstrating Yahweh's supreme dominion over all aspects of their existence and their gods.

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 9:31 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, as God demonstrates His absolute control over the natural world, orchestrating a plague with such precision. It also powerfully illustrates the theme of **Judgment and Deliverance**, showcasing God's righteous wrath against Pharaoh's hardened heart and His unwavering commitment to delivering His people. The selective nature of the destruction, sparing the Israelites and certain crops, reinforces the theme of **Distinction and Divine Favor**, highlighting God's ability to differentiate between His people and their oppressors, a theme seen from the very beginning of the plagues (e.g., [Exodus 8:22-23](/exodus/8-22-23 "Distinction in the Plague of Flies")). Furthermore, the economic impact of the plague underscores the theme of **God's Challenge to Idolatry and False Gods**, proving that the gods of Egypt, upon whom the Egyptians relied for their prosperity and security, were powerless before the one true God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 9:31 states, "And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley [was] in the ear, and the flax [was] bolled." This verse provides a precise, almost clinical, explanation for the selective destruction wrought by the hail, revealing God's intricate knowledge of agricultural cycles.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smitten (Hebrew, _nâkâh'_):** From the Hebrew root H5221, this verb signifies a powerful, decisive strike, ranging from a light blow to a severe, even fatal, impact. In this context, it conveys the comprehensive ruination of the crops, indicating not mere damage but utter destruction. The use of _nâkâh_ emphasizes the severity and finality of the divine judgment on these vital agricultural resources.
* **In the ear (Hebrew, _ʼâbîyb'_):** Derived from H24, this term, referring to the barley, describes the stage where the grain is green and young, yet already formed within the head of the plant. This indicates that the barley was mature and nearing readiness for harvest. At this critical stage, the plant is particularly vulnerable to hail, as the developed grains would be easily dislodged, shattered, or severely damaged, rendering the crop useless.
* **Bolled (Hebrew, _gibʻôl'_):** From H1392, this word, applied to the flax, describes the formation of the seed pods or "bolls" on the flax plants. Similar to the barley's stage, this signifies that the flax was well-developed and approaching its harvest for its valuable fibers. Once the bolls are formed, the plant becomes brittle and highly susceptible to shattering from a severe hail storm, which would destroy the fibers and make them unusable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the flax and the barley was smitten":** This opening clause immediately identifies the specific agricultural targets of the hail plague. It is not a general, indiscriminate destruction of all vegetation, but a precise, divinely orchestrated assault on two of Egypt's most crucial crops. The passive voice "was smitten" subtly points to an external, powerful agent—God's judgment—as the active force behind the destruction.
* **"for the barley [was] in the ear, and the flax [was] bolled":** This explanatory clause provides the crucial rationale for *why* these particular crops were destroyed. It reveals that the destruction was not arbitrary but strategically timed: these crops were at a critical, mature stage of growth, making them uniquely susceptible to the hail's destructive power. This detail underscores God's intimate knowledge of the agricultural cycle and His precise timing of the plague, demonstrating a level of control that transcends mere natural phenomena and points to a divine intelligence at work.

#### Literary Devices
The verse masterfully employs **precision** and **causal explanation** as central literary techniques. The detailed agricultural observations—"in the ear" for barley and "bolled" for flax—serve not merely as factual reporting but as a profound demonstration of the divine author's meticulousness and the plague's exactitude. This precision underscores God's absolute control over creation, contrasting sharply with the chaotic and indiscriminate nature of a typical hailstorm. Furthermore, the verse exhibits a subtle yet powerful **divine irony** or **poetic justice**: the very crops that sustained Egypt and symbolized its prosperity were destroyed at their most valuable, near-harvest stage, effectively turning a blessing into a devastating curse. This highlights the futility of relying on earthly provisions when one defies the divine Provider.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 9:31 powerfully illustrates several core theological truths that resonate throughout biblical revelation. It profoundly demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation, revealing that even the most destructive forces of nature are under His meticulous command. The ability to orchestrate a hail storm combining ice with fire, and to precisely target specific crops at their particular growth stages, unequivocally establishes God's dominion over all natural phenomena. This challenges any notion of nature being an autonomous force or under the control of other deities, particularly the Egyptian gods associated with weather and fertility. Moreover, the verse highlights the precision and purposefulness of divine judgment. God's actions are never indiscriminate; they are meticulously applied, designed to achieve specific outcomes. The destruction of flax and barley, which were at a vulnerable, near-harvest stage, while sparing wheat and rye (as noted in the subsequent verse), showcases God's exact knowledge and control, emphasizing that His judgments are always purposeful, never arbitrary, and intended to break Pharaoh's stubbornness and demonstrate Yahweh's supremacy. This economic devastation, striking essential crops, was a strategic component of the plagues, designed to increase the burden on Pharaoh and his kingdom, forcing them to consider the cost of their defiance.

This verse connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's power and His unwavering commitment to delivering His people. It foreshadows future instances where God uses natural phenomena as instruments of His will, whether for judgment or deliverance.
* [Psalm 105:32-33](/psalms/105-32-33 "God sent hail for rain and flaming fire in their land")
* [Job 37:13](/job/37-13 "God sends hail for correction or for his land or for mercy")
* [Psalm 33:11](/psalms/33-11 "The counsel of the Lord stands forever")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 9:31 serves as a profound reminder of God's meticulous nature and His unwavering control over all things, even in judgment. It teaches us that God's actions are always purposeful and never arbitrary, demonstrating His profound knowledge of the world He created and His ability to intervene with absolute precision. For believers today, this account encourages us to recognize God's immense power and sovereignty over the natural world and human affairs. Just as Pharaoh faced escalating consequences for his defiance, this verse underscores the importance of heeding divine warnings and responding with humility and obedience to God's revealed will. It reminds us that God's purposes will ultimately prevail, regardless of human resistance, and that His timing is always perfect. In a world often feeling chaotic or random, this verse offers deep comfort in God's sovereign oversight and a powerful challenge to align our lives with His righteous and wise will, trusting that He is at work even in seemingly destructive events.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise, targeted nature of this plague, as detailed in [Exodus 9:31](/exodus/9-31 "The Plague of Hail's Specific Impact"), inform your understanding of God's character and His involvement in the world?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be resisting God's revealed will, similar to Pharaoh's stubbornness, and what might be the "consequences" of such resistance in your spiritual or practical walk?**
* **How does recognizing God's sovereignty over natural phenomena (like weather and crops) influence your prayers or your response to current global challenges and uncertainties?**

### FAQ
**Why were only flax and barley destroyed, and not all crops?**

Answer: The verse itself provides the key explanation: "for the barley [was] in the ear, and the flax [was] bolled." This indicates that these specific crops were at a mature, near-harvest stage, making them uniquely vulnerable to the destructive force of the hail. In contrast, [Exodus 9:32](/exodus/9-32 "Wheat and Rye Spared") clarifies that wheat and rye were "not grown up" (i.e., they were later-ripening crops that had not yet emerged or were still in an early, more resilient stage) and thus were spared. This distinction highlights God's incredible precision and control, demonstrating that the plague was not a random act of nature but a targeted, intelligent judgment with specific agricultural knowledge.

**Does this account imply God causes all natural disasters today as a form of judgment?**

Answer: While [Exodus 9:31](/exodus/9-31 "The Plague of Hail's Specific Impact") clearly depicts God directly causing a specific natural disaster as a judgment against Pharaoh and Egypt, it is crucial to distinguish this unique historical context from all contemporary natural disasters. The Bible teaches that we live in a fallen world where creation groans under the weight of sin ([Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Creation groans under the curse")), which can lead to natural calamities as part of the general effects of the curse. However, God remains sovereign over all creation ([Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "The earth is the Lord's")) and can certainly use natural events for His specific purposes, including correction, warning, or even mercy. We should avoid simplistic, one-to-one correlations for every natural disaster, but always acknowledge God's ultimate power, wisdom, and redemptive purposes in all circumstances, recognizing that His ways are higher than ours.

**What was the economic significance of destroying flax and barley for Egypt?**

Answer: Flax and barley were foundational to the Egyptian economy and daily life. Flax was essential for producing linen, the primary textile for clothing, mummification, and trade, making it a vital cash crop and a symbol of Egyptian wealth. Barley was a staple food for both humans (used to make bread and beer) and livestock, forming the backbone of their agricultural sustenance. Destroying these crops at their most valuable, near-harvest stage inflicted immense economic hardship and social disruption across the entire kingdom. This targeted economic blow was a powerful demonstration of God's judgment, designed to cripple Egypt's self-sufficiency and pressure Pharaoh to release the Israelites, showing that even their material prosperity and national security were utterly subject to Yahweh's will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Exodus 9:31 recounts a specific act of divine judgment in the Old Testament, its underlying themes find profound fulfillment and amplification in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The plague of hail, demonstrating God's absolute power over nature, foreshadows the **Sovereignty Over Creation** inherent in Jesus. As God incarnate, Jesus likewise demonstrates this same divine authority: He calms raging storms with a mere word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Jesus calms the storm")), walks on water ([Matthew 14:25](/matthew/14-25 "Jesus walks on water")), and miraculously multiplies meager provisions to feed thousands ([John 6:11](/john/6-11 "Jesus feeds the five thousand")), unequivocally displaying His inherent dominion over the natural world, just as the Father did in the plagues.

Furthermore, the plagues were God's precise judgment against a rebellious nation and its false gods, leading to the deliverance of His chosen people. Jesus, too, embodies both ultimate **Precise Judgment and Deliverance**. He is appointed by the Father as the one through whom all judgment will ultimately come ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "The Father has committed all judgment to the Son")), and His return will bring a final, decisive judgment upon all who reject Him. Yet, for those who believe, He offers deliverance from the ultimate "plague" of sin and death, providing salvation and eternal life. The escalating destruction in Egypt due to Pharaoh's stubbornness illuminates **The Ultimate Cost of Rebellion**. The plagues foreshadow the greater spiritual reality of humanity's universal bondage to sin and Satan, from which only Christ can deliver. His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of divine intervention, where He bore the full weight of the judgment that humanity deserved ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us")), so that those who trust in Him might be spared from eternal destruction and enter into glorious freedom and reconciliation with God. Thus, the precision of judgment in Exodus 9:31 points forward to the precise, redemptive work of Christ, who perfectly fulfilled God's righteous demands and secured salvation for His people.

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

Ruth 1:22

So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

Ruth 2:23

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

Amos 4:9

I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured [them]: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

Habakkuk 3:17

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls: