Exodus 7:15

Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.

Get {H3212} thee unto Pharaoh {H6547} in the morning {H1242}; lo, he goeth out {H3318} unto the water {H4325}; and thou shalt stand {H5324} by the river's {H2975} brink {H8193} against he come {H7125}; and the rod {H4294} which was turned {H2015} to a serpent {H5175} shalt thou take {H3947} in thine hand {H3027}.

Go to Pharaoh in the morning when he goes out to the water. Stand on the riverbank to confront him, take in your hand the staff which was turned into a snake,

Go to Pharaoh in the morning as you see him walking out to the water. Wait on the bank of the Nile to meet him, and take in your hand the staff that was changed into a snake.

Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river’s brink to meet him; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thy hand.

Commentary

Context of Exodus 7:15

Exodus 7:15 marks a pivotal moment in the unfolding narrative of the plagues against Egypt. Following the initial confrontation where Aaron's rod turned into a serpent (and Pharaoh's magicians mimicked it), God instructs Moses on the next strategic encounter. Pharaoh's heart remains hardened, as God foretold in Exodus 7:3. This verse sets the stage for the first devastating plague: the turning of the Nile River into blood, directly challenging Egyptian deities and Pharaoh's authority.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Orchestration and Specificity: God's command to Moses is incredibly precise, detailing the time ("in the morning"), location ("unto the water," "river's brink"), and instrument ("the rod which was turned to a serpent"). This highlights God's meticulous planning and sovereignty over every detail of the confrontation with Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt.
  • Confrontation at a Significant Location: Pharaoh's morning ritual of going to the Nile River was likely a daily custom, perhaps for bathing, offering, or inspection. The Nile was the lifeblood of Egypt and revered as a deity itself. Confronting Pharaoh at this sacred and vital location underscored the direct challenge to his power and the false gods he served.
  • The Rod as a Symbol of God's Power: The command to take "the rod which was turned to a serpent" emphasizes its continued role as an instrument of divine power. It had already demonstrated its supernatural origin, and now it would be used to initiate the first of the ten plagues, proving that God's power far surpassed that of Pharaoh's magicians.
  • God's Authority Over Idolatry: By targeting the Nile, God directly attacked one of Egypt's most cherished and worshipped elements, demonstrating His supremacy over their pagan beliefs and the impotence of their gods.

Linguistic Insights

The term "river" in this context is the Hebrew word ye'or (יְאֹר), which specifically refers to the Nile River. This emphasizes the direct impact on the very source of Egypt's prosperity and religious devotion. The "rod" (Hebrew: matteh) signifies a staff or branch, often associated with authority or leadership, reinforcing its symbolic power in Moses' hand as God's representative.

Practical Application

Exodus 7:15 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Obedience to God's Specific Instructions: Just as Moses received clear, precise commands, we are called to listen for and obey God's leading in our lives, even when the path seems daunting or unconventional. God often provides exact instructions for specific tasks.
  • Confronting Spiritual Strongholds: God often calls His people to confront systems, ideologies, or practices that defy Him, much like He called Moses to confront Pharaoh and the idolatry of Egypt. This might involve standing for truth, justice, or righteousness in our communities.
  • Reliance on God's Instruments: The rod was not magical in itself; it was an instrument through which God's power flowed. Similarly, God uses ordinary people and means to accomplish extraordinary things, reminding us that the power is His, not ours.
  • God Meets Us Where We Are: God met Pharaoh at his daily routine by the Nile. God can meet us in our everyday lives, in our routines, or at points of comfort or complacency, to challenge us or reveal His mighty hand.

This verse highlights God's strategic preparation for the mighty acts He was about to perform, underscoring His ultimate control over all things and His determination to deliver His people.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 8:20 (4 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

  • Exodus 2:5 (3 votes)

    ¶ And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash [herself] at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.

  • Exodus 7:10 (3 votes)

    And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

  • Exodus 4:2 (2 votes)

    And the LORD said unto him, What [is] that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.

  • Exodus 4:4 (2 votes)

    And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:

  • Ezekiel 29:3 (2 votes)

    Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river [is] mine own, and I have made [it] for myself.