Psalms 105:29

KJV

He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.

KJV (with Strong's)

He turned {H2015} their waters {H4325} into blood {H1818}, and slew {H4191} their fish {H1710}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He turned their water into blood and caused their fish to die.

Berean Standard Bible

He turned their waters to blood and caused their fish to die.

American Standard Version

He turned their waters into blood, And slew their fish.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 105:29 vividly recounts the first devastating plague unleashed by God upon Egypt, transforming the nation's vital water sources, most notably the Nile River, into blood. This miraculous and terrifying act resulted in the immediate death of all fish, rendering the water undrinkable and symbolizing a profound judgment against Pharaoh and the Egyptian pantheon. The verse underscores God's absolute power and His unwavering commitment to deliver His covenant people, Israel, from oppression.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 105 is a historical psalm, a hymn of praise recounting God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly those made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The psalm traces God's providential care from the patriarchs' sojourn to the dramatic Exodus from Egypt. Verses 26-36 specifically detail the series of ten plagues God sent upon Egypt, culminating in Israel's liberation. Within this narrative, verse 29 focuses on the initial and highly impactful first plague, setting the stage for the escalating divine judgments that follow. It serves as a concise summary of the more detailed account found in the book of Exodus, emphasizing God's direct involvement and the miraculous nature of the events.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was entirely dependent on the Nile River, which was not only its economic lifeblood, providing water for agriculture, transportation, and daily sustenance, but also a central object of religious veneration. The Nile itself was personified as the god Hapi, and other deities like Osiris (connected to the Nile's fertility) and Khnum (the potter god who fashioned humans from Nile clay) were intimately associated with its waters. The turning of the Nile into blood was therefore not merely a natural disaster or an inconvenience; it was a direct, targeted assault on Egypt's very existence, its economy, and its entire religious system. It was a clear demonstration of Yahweh's supremacy over all Egyptian gods and Pharaoh, who was considered a divine ruler. This act of judgment was a direct response to Pharaoh's stubborn refusal to release the Israelites, whom God called His "firstborn son" ([Exodus 4:22](/exodus/4-22 "Exodus 4:22 - Israel, God's Firstborn")).

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 105 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Power and Sovereignty**, showcasing God's absolute control over creation and His ability to manipulate natural elements at will. The immediate and complete transformation of water into blood was a supernatural act beyond any human or natural explanation, asserting His supreme authority over all gods and rulers, as seen in [Exodus 7:5](/exodus/7-5 "Exodus 7:5 - Egyptians Shall Know God"). Secondly, it underscores **Judgment and Justice**, as this plague, like the others, was a direct act of divine judgment against Pharaoh's stubbornness and Egypt's cruel oppression of the Israelites. It served as a clear message that God would not tolerate the enslavement of His chosen people, ultimately leading to the declaration of "Let my people go!" ([Exodus 8:1](/exodus/8-1 "Exodus 8:1 - Let My People Go")). Finally, the plague was instrumental in achieving **Deliverance for Israel**. While a curse for Egypt, the plagues were God's means of compelling Pharaoh to release the Israelites, fulfilling God's promise to bring His people out of bondage with a mighty hand and great possessions ([Exodus 12:31-36](/exodus/12-31 "Exodus 12:31-36 - Israel's Departure from Egypt")). This act underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **turned (Hebrew, הָפַךְ, _hāp̄aḵ_):** This verb signifies a radical, complete, and often irreversible transformation or overturning. It implies more than a mere discoloration or a natural phenomenon; it denotes a supernatural act of God that fundamentally altered the very substance of the water. This emphasizes the miraculous and devastating nature of the plague, demonstrating God's absolute power to change the order of creation.
* **blood (Hebrew, דָּם, _dām_):** In ancient Near Eastern thought, blood was intrinsically linked to life (cf. [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life is in the Blood")). The transformation of life-giving water into blood, a symbol of death, defilement, and judgment, was profoundly shocking. It rendered the water unusable for drinking, bathing, or agriculture, and made it ritually unclean, profoundly disrupting Egyptian daily life and religious practices.
* **slew (Hebrew, וַיָּמֶת, _wayyāmeṯ_):** This verb, a Hiphil form of the root מוּת (_mût_), means "to cause to die" or "to kill." Its use here emphasizes the direct, immediate, and decisive action of God in bringing about the death of the fish. It highlights the severity and comprehensiveness of the judgment, affecting not just the water's appearance but its entire ecosystem, leading to widespread death and decay.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He turned their waters into blood":** This clause immediately identifies God ("He") as the active agent, emphasizing His direct intervention and omnipotence. The phrase "their waters" specifically refers to the water sources of the Egyptians, primarily the Nile River, but also canals, ponds, and reservoirs, indicating the pervasive nature of the plague. The transformation "into blood" signifies a complete, miraculous change in substance, rendering the water undrinkable, defiled, and a source of dread. This was a direct assault on the lifeblood of Egypt and a profound theological statement against their gods associated with water and fertility.
* **"and slew their fish":** This second clause describes the immediate and devastating consequence of the water's transformation. The death of the fish was not merely an ecological disaster but had severe economic and religious implications for the Egyptians, who relied heavily on fish as a food source and whose reverence for certain aquatic creatures was part of their religious system. The widespread death of fish would have led to putrefaction, making the land unbearable and further emphasizing the severity and comprehensiveness of God's judgment against the nation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Action**, where God is the sole and active subject ("He turned," "He slew"), emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and direct involvement in history. There is a strong sense of **Conciseness** and **Directness**, as the psalm summarizes a complex event from Exodus with powerful brevity, focusing on the core action and its immediate consequence. The imagery of "waters into blood" is a vivid and stark **Metaphor** (or perhaps a literal transformation that functions metaphorically), immediately conveying defilement, death, and judgment. The two clauses, "He turned their waters into blood" and "and slew their fish," exhibit a form of **Cause and Effect** or **Consequence**, where the first action directly leads to the second, highlighting the devastating impact of the plague. The entire verse functions as a powerful **Statement of Fact**, declaring God's irrefutable power and judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 105:29 profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His unwavering commitment to justice. The turning of water into blood signifies a direct confrontation between the true God, Yahweh, and the false gods of Egypt, particularly those associated with the Nile. This act demonstrates that God's power transcends all natural phenomena and human authority, serving as a powerful lesson that no nation or ruler can thwart His divine purposes. It foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over all earthly powers and spiritual strongholds, reminding us that God hears the cries of the oppressed and acts decisively on their behalf. This plague, as the first in a series, sets the pattern for escalating divine judgment against rebellion and oppression, ultimately leading to the glorious deliverance of His people.

* [Exodus 7:17-21](/exodus/7-17 "Exodus 7:17-21 - The First Plague: Water to Blood")
* [Psalm 78:44](/psalms/78-44 "Psalm 78:44 - God's Wonders in Egypt")
* [Revelation 16:3-6](/revelation/16-3 "Revelation 16:3-6 - Second and Third Bowls of Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of the water turning to blood in Psalms 105:29 serves as a timeless reminder of God's unchallengeable power and His active involvement in human history. It teaches us that God is not a distant deity but one who intervenes decisively to uphold justice and deliver His people. For us today, this means that no situation, no oppressor, and no obstacle is too great for God's power to overcome. When we face seemingly insurmountable challenges or witness grave injustices, this verse assures us that God is sovereign and will act in His perfect timing and wisdom. It also serves as a solemn warning against defiance and oppression; just as Pharaoh's stubbornness brought severe consequences upon his land, so too does persistent rebellion against God's will invite divine judgment. Conversely, for those who are oppressed or marginalized, it offers profound comfort and hope, knowing that God hears their cries and is a mighty deliverer. Our faith is rooted in a God who acts powerfully on behalf of His covenant people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the miraculous nature of this plague challenge our understanding of God's power in our own lives today?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Egyptians, be putting our trust in "life-giving" things (e.g., wealth, security, human systems) that God can demonstrate His power over?**
* **What injustices in the world today are we called to pray about or act upon, remembering God's heart for the oppressed?**
* **How does God's faithfulness to Israel in this narrative encourage us to trust in His promises for our own lives?**

### FAQ

**Was the water literally turned into blood, or was it a natural phenomenon like red algae?**

Answer: The biblical text, both in Psalms 105:29 and the more detailed account in [Exodus 7:17-21](/exodus/7-17 "Exodus 7:17-21 - The First Plague"), describes a literal and miraculous transformation of water into blood. The Hebrew word for "blood" (דָּם, _dām_) is unambiguous. While some modern interpretations attempt to explain it through natural phenomena like red algae blooms or sediment, these explanations fall short of accounting for the immediate, pervasive, and deadly effects on all water sources, the death of all fish, and the specific timing and purpose of the plague as a divine judgment against Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods. The text presents it as a supernatural act of God, demonstrating His power over creation and His direct intervention.

**Why did God kill the fish? Was that necessary?**

Answer: The death of the fish was a crucial and necessary component of the plague, serving multiple purposes. Firstly, it highlighted the absolute severity and comprehensiveness of God's judgment. The Nile was the lifeblood of Egypt, and fish were a primary food source. Their death caused widespread hunger and economic disruption. Secondly, it intensified the defilement and putrefaction of the water, making it not only undrinkable but also unbearable due to the stench, as described in [Exodus 7:21](/exodus/7-21 "Exodus 7:21 - The Stench of the Dead Fish"). Thirdly, it was a direct assault on Egyptian religious beliefs, as certain fish were considered sacred, and the Nile itself was deified. The killing of the fish demonstrated Yahweh's supremacy over these deities and the impotence of Egypt's gods to protect their land or people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 105:29, detailing the plague of blood, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The judgment poured out on Egypt's waters, transforming life into death, foreshadows the ultimate judgment against sin and spiritual darkness that Christ would bear and overcome. Just as God's power was displayed over creation and false gods in Egypt, so too does Christ demonstrate absolute authority over all creation, sickness, demons, and even death itself ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm"); [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The blood of the Nile brought death and defilement, but the ultimate "blood" that brings life and cleansing is that of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, whose sacrificial death on the cross atones for the sins of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without Shedding of Blood There Is No Forgiveness")). The deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage through the plagues, initiated by the turning of water into blood, prefigures the greater spiritual Exodus accomplished by Christ, who liberates humanity from the bondage of sin and death, ushering us into His kingdom ([Romans 6:22](/romans/6-22 "Romans 6:22 - Freed from Sin")). Thus, the terrifying judgment of the Nile points forward to the redemptive power of Christ's cross, where judgment was absorbed, and eternal life flowed for all who believe.

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 78:44

And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.

Exodus 7:20

And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that [were] in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that [were] in the river were turned to blood.

Exodus 7:21

And the fish that [was] in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.

Revelation 16:3

And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead [man]: and every living soul died in the sea.

Isaiah 50:2

Wherefore, when I came, [was there] no man? when I called, [was there] none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because [there is] no water, and dieth for thirst.

Ezekiel 29:4

But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales.

Ezekiel 29:5

And I will leave thee [thrown] into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers: thou shalt fall upon the open fields; thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered: I have given thee for meat to the beasts of the field and to the fowls of the heaven.