Exodus 9:33

KJV

And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} went out {H3318} of the city {H5892} from Pharaoh {H6547}, and spread abroad {H6566} his hands {H3709} unto the LORD {H3068}: and the thunders {H6963} and hail {H1259} ceased {H2308}, and the rain {H4306} was not poured {H5413} upon the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe went out of the city, away from Pharaoh, and spread out his hands to ADONAI. The thunder and hail ended, and the rain stopped pouring down on the earth.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Moses departed from Pharaoh, went out of the city, and spread out his hands to the LORD. The thunder and hail ceased, and the rain no longer poured down on the land.

American Standard Version

And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto Jehovah: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 9:33 vividly culminates the seventh plague, portraying the immediate and miraculous cessation of the devastating hail and thunder as Moses, acting as God's chosen intercessor, departs from Pharaoh's city and stretches his hands in earnest prayer to the LORD. This pivotal moment powerfully demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, His unwavering responsiveness to the fervent prayers of His faithful servant, and His enduring faithfulness, even in the face of Pharaoh's persistent and defiant rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the dramatic conclusion of the seventh plague, the severe hail and fire, which is meticulously detailed in the preceding verses. The narrative builds from the initial unleashing of the plague in [Exodus 9:23-26](/exodus/9-23-26 "The Seventh Plague: Hail and Fire Descends on Egypt"), which describes an unprecedented storm unlike anything seen in Egypt before. Pharaoh, utterly broken and terrified by the unprecedented destruction, finally confesses his sin and acknowledges God's righteousness, pleading with Moses and Aaron to intercede for the storm's cessation, promising to let Israel go ([Exodus 9:27-28](/exodus/9-27-28 "Pharaoh's Confession and Plea for Deliverance")). Moses agrees to intercede, setting the stage for his departure from the city and his subsequent prayer. Immediately following this verse, the narrative reveals Pharaoh's predictable hardening of heart once the immediate threat is removed ([Exodus 9:34-35](/exodus/9-34-35 "Pharaoh's Heart Hardens Again After the Hail Ceases")), highlighting the superficiality and self-serving nature of his repentance, which was driven by fear rather than genuine contrition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Egypt, Pharaoh was revered as a divine king, a living god, and the earthly embodiment of cosmic order, or Ma'at. His authority was considered absolute, and his word was law. The plagues, particularly the hail, directly challenged the power and efficacy of prominent Egyptian deities, such as Nut (goddess of the sky), Shu (god of the air), and Seth (god of storms and chaos). Moses' deliberate act of leaving the city to pray was profoundly significant. It underscored that the power at work was not originating from within Pharaoh's domain, nor was it a magic trick performed by an Egyptian sorcerer. Instead, it unequivocally demonstrated that the God of Israel, Yahweh (the LORD), was the supreme authority, whose power transcended all human boundaries, pagan influences, and the perceived control of Egyptian gods. Moses' posture of "spreading abroad his hands" was a common and well-understood ancient Near Eastern gesture of earnest supplication, visually communicating a direct, humble, and fervent appeal to the divine.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 9:33 powerfully contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it emphatically highlights **God's absolute sovereignty over creation**. Unlike the limited and often capricious Egyptian deities, the LORD demonstrates complete and instantaneous control over natural phenomena, initiating and halting the most destructive forces at His command. This affirms His unmatched power and unique status as the one true God, contrasting sharply with the impotence of the Egyptian pantheon (a theme seen throughout [Exodus 7-12](/exodus/7-12 "The Plagues of Egypt")). Secondly, the verse underscores the **efficacy and importance of intercessory prayer**. God's immediate and dramatic response to Moses' petition affirms that He hears and acts upon the prayers of His faithful servants, even when those prayers are offered on behalf of an unrepentant enemy. This demonstrates God's willingness to work through human agents to accomplish His divine purposes. Lastly, it reveals **God's immense patience and unwavering faithfulness to His word**, even in the face of persistent rebellion. Despite knowing Pharaoh's heart would harden again, God still honors His promise to Moses and lifts the plague, offering Pharaoh yet another opportunity for genuine repentance. This divine patience is a recurring motif, even as God's judgment intensifies.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 9:33 describes the immediate, miraculous conclusion to the seventh plague: "And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth."

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"spread abroad" (Hebrew, _pâras'_ H6566) and "hands" (Hebrew, _kaph'_ H3709):** The phrase "spread abroad his hands" translates the Hebrew idiom _pâras kappav_, literally meaning "he spread his palms." This is a common and significant biblical posture for earnest prayer, supplication, and intercession. It signifies a humble and direct appeal to God, conveying a sense of reaching out, vulnerability, and fervent seeking of divine intervention, often in distress or on behalf of others. This physical act underscores the sincerity, urgency, and mediatorial role of Moses' petition.
* **"ceased" (Hebrew, _châdal'_ H2308):** Derived from the primitive root _châdal_, meaning "to stop," "to cease," "to desist," or "to be lacking." The immediate and absolute cessation of the storm—including the thunder, hail, and rain—highlights the instantaneous and complete control of God over nature. It emphasizes that the plague was not a random natural phenomenon but a divinely orchestrated event, initiated and terminated precisely at God's command, leaving no room for doubt regarding its supernatural origin.
* **"LORD" (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_ H3068):** This is the covenant name of God, Yahweh, signifying "the self-Existent or Eternal One." The use of this specific name emphasizes that the power demonstrated in stopping the plague belongs to the personal, covenant-keeping God of Israel, in contrast to the impersonal or limited deities of Egypt. Moses' prayer is directed to the one true God who is uniquely sovereign and faithful to His promises.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh":** This action is both deliberate and profoundly symbolic. By physically separating himself from the city, Moses distances himself from the seat of Pharaoh's pagan power and the idolatrous environment of Egypt. This emphasizes that his authority and the power he wields come directly and exclusively from the LORD, not from any human or Egyptian source. It also highlights the sacred nature of his intercession, performed in a space distinct from the defilement of the Egyptian court.
* **"and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD":** This describes the specific posture of prayer, a visual representation of Moses' earnest, humble, and direct appeal to God. It signifies an act of complete submission and fervent intercession, powerfully demonstrating his divinely appointed role as a mediator between God and Pharaoh, and indeed, between God and humanity. This gesture is a universal sign of seeking divine favor and intervention.
* **"and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.":** This clause details the immediate, complete, and comprehensive cessation of the plague. The mention of multiple elements—thunders, hail, and rain—emphasizes the total nature of the divine intervention. The instantaneous cessation, occurring directly and visibly after Moses' prayer, underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all natural forces and His immediate responsiveness to the prayers of His servant. It leaves no doubt that the storm was entirely under divine control, not a random act of nature.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 9:33 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The verse utilizes **cause-and-effect parallelism**, where Moses' act of prayer (the cause) is immediately followed by the complete cessation of the storm (the effect). This direct correlation emphasizes God's immediate and direct response to intercession, leaving no ambiguity about the divine origin of the miracle. The physical act of "spreading abroad his hands" serves as a potent **visual metaphor** for earnest supplication and humble dependence on God, making the abstract act of prayer tangible and impactful for the reader. Furthermore, the detailed enumeration of the elements that ceased ("thunders and hail... and the rain") employs **merism**, a rhetorical device where two contrasting or complementary parts represent a whole, thereby emphasizing the comprehensive and total cessation of the entire storm, leaving nothing behind.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 9:33 powerfully articulates several profound theological truths. Firstly, it underscores **God's absolute sovereignty over creation**. Unlike the limited and often capricious Egyptian deities, the God of Israel demonstrates complete and instantaneous control over natural phenomena, initiating and halting the most destructive forces at will. This affirms His unmatched power and unique status as the one true God, the ultimate ruler of the cosmos. Secondly, the verse highlights the **efficacy and importance of intercessory prayer**. God's immediate and dramatic response to Moses' petition affirms that He hears and acts upon the prayers of His faithful servants, even when those prayers are on behalf of an unrepentant enemy. This demonstrates God's willingness to work through human agents to accomplish His purposes, valuing human participation in His divine plan. Thirdly, it reveals **God's immense patience and faithfulness to His word**. Despite knowing Pharaoh's heart would harden again, God still honors His promise to Moses and lifts the plague, offering Pharaoh yet another opportunity for genuine repentance. This divine patience underscores His desire for all to turn to Him.

This theme of divine sovereignty over nature and the power of intercession resonates throughout the biblical narrative.
* [Psalm 29:3-4](/psalms/29-3-4 "The Voice of the LORD is over the waters")
* [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Jesus calms the storm on the Sea of Galilee")
* [James 5:17-18](/james/5-17-18 "Elijah's prayer for rain and drought")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 9:33 offers timeless and transformative lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder of the **efficacy of prayer**, particularly intercessory prayer. We are called to pray boldly and fervently, not only for ourselves but also for others, trusting that God hears and responds according to His perfect will and timing. This verse also profoundly strengthens our faith in **God's ultimate sovereignty** over all circumstances, whether natural disasters, personal crises, or global events. We can rest securely in the knowledge that He is in control, capable of bringing about change instantly, and that nothing is beyond His power. Finally, Pharaoh's fleeting "repentance," driven by fear and a desire for relief rather than genuine change of heart, serves as a poignant warning against superficial faith. True repentance leads to lasting transformation, a sustained relationship with God, and a desire to obey Him, not merely a temporary plea for the removal of consequences. This challenges us to examine the depth and authenticity of our own faith and commitment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's absolute sovereignty over nature (as vividly seen in this verse) impact your trust in Him during times of personal crisis or global turmoil?**
* **In what specific ways can you actively cultivate a posture of intercessory prayer for those around you, even for those who may seem resistant to God's truth or are in opposition to Him?**
* **What is the fundamental difference between genuine repentance and a temporary desire for relief from consequences, and how can we ensure our own faith is rooted in the former?**

### FAQ
**Why did Moses have to go outside the city to pray?**

Answer: Moses' departure from the city was both symbolic and practical. Symbolically, it demonstrated that the power he invoked was from God, not from Pharaoh's domain or any pagan influence within the city walls. It emphasized God's transcendence over human authority and idolatry, clearly showing that the LORD's power was not confined by Egyptian boundaries. Practically, it might have been to avoid ritual defilement from the pagan city or to underscore the public nature of the miracle, making it undeniably clear that the cessation of the plague was directly linked to his prayer to the LORD, not to any internal Egyptian magic or a natural end to the storm. This public act served to further glorify God and humble Pharaoh.

**Did God really need Moses' prayer to stop the hail? Couldn't He have just stopped it Himself?**

Answer: God is absolutely sovereign and omnipotent; He could have certainly stopped the hail without any human intervention. However, this verse highlights God's chosen method of working through His faithful servants. God delights in responding to the prayers of His people, demonstrating His relational nature with humanity and the power He graciously grants to those who intercede according to His will. It is not that God *needed* Moses, but rather that He *chose* to involve Moses in this divine act. By doing so, God magnified Moses' role as His prophet and mediator, further illustrating the profound power and effectiveness of faithful prayer in the unfolding of His divine plan. This pattern of God working through human agents is seen throughout biblical history, inviting humanity into partnership with the divine.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 9:33, while deeply rooted in the Old Testament narrative of the Exodus, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several transformative ways. Firstly, Moses' role as the faithful intercessor for a rebellious people powerfully foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate and perfect mediator between God and humanity ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "There is one God and one mediator")). Just as Moses pleaded for Pharaoh and Israel, Jesus continually intercedes for His people before the Father, serving as our eternal advocate ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Christ Jesus is interceding for us")). Secondly, the dramatic display of God's absolute sovereignty over nature, seen in the instantaneous cessation of the hail at Moses' word, is amplified and embodied in the very person of Jesus. The New Testament records multiple instances where Jesus demonstrates inherent divine authority over the elements, most notably when He calms a raging storm with a mere command, rebuking the wind and waves ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Jesus calms the storm")). This unequivocally shows that the power displayed through Moses was a manifestation of the same divine power that resides fully and perfectly in Christ. Finally, Pharaoh's temporary, fear-driven "repentance" contrasts sharply with the genuine, heart-transforming repentance offered through Christ. While Pharaoh's heart hardened again, Jesus offers true forgiveness and a new heart to all who turn to Him in faith, leading to lasting change and reconciliation with God ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "A new heart and a new spirit I will give you")). The plague, a severe judgment, points to the greater judgment for sin, from which only Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross can deliver humanity ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "For God so loved the world")).

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

Exodus 9:29

And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; [and] the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth [is] the LORD'S.

Exodus 8:12

And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh.

James 5:17

Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

James 5:18

And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Exodus 10:18

And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD.

Exodus 10:19

And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.