Exodus 7:24

And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.

And all the Egyptians {H4714} digged {H2658} round about {H5439} the river {H2975} for water {H4325} to drink {H8354}; for they could {H3201} not drink {H8354} of the water {H4325} of the river {H2975}.

All the Egyptians dug around the river for water to drink, because they couldn't drink the river water.

So all the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink, because they could not drink the water from the river.

And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.

Commentary

Exodus 7:24 describes the immediate and severe impact of the first plague on ancient Egypt, where the life-giving Nile River was turned into blood.

Context

This verse follows directly after Aaron, at God's command, struck the waters of the Nile with his rod, transforming them into blood, killing the fish, and making the water undrinkable. The Nile was not just a source of sustenance for the Egyptians, but also central to their religious beliefs, worshipped as a deity (Hapi). The plague was a direct assault on both their physical well-being and their gods, demonstrating the supreme power of the God of Israel. Despite this clear demonstration of divine power, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, as his magicians seemingly replicated the feat (though not reversing it).

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The plague showcased God's absolute control over creation and His intention to judge Egypt for their oppression of Israel. The inability to drink from the Nile highlighted human helplessness before divine power.
  • Egyptian Desperation: The act of "digging round about the river for water to drink" vividly portrays the sudden and acute crisis faced by the Egyptians. Their normal, abundant water supply was contaminated, forcing them to resort to desperate measures for survival. This underlines the severity of the plague's impact on daily life.
  • Futility of False Gods: By striking the Nile, God directly challenged the Egyptian pantheon, particularly deities associated with the river and fertility. The inability of their gods to provide clean water or reverse the plague underscored the supremacy of the Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "ืœื ื™ื›ืœื• ืœืฉืชื•ืช" (lo yakhelu lishtot) simply yet powerfully conveys "they could not drink." This emphasizes the absolute and immediate effect of the plague, leaving no room for ambiguity about the severity of the crisis. The term "ื™ึฐืึนืจ" (ye'or) specifically refers to the Nile River, underscoring its central role in Egyptian life and the targeted nature of God's judgment.

Practical Application and Reflection

Exodus 7:24 serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over all aspects of life and His readiness to act decisively in judgment against those who oppose His will. For believers, it reinforces the truth that God is the ultimate source of life and provision, and that relying on anything else leads to futility and desperation, much like the Egyptians digging for water. It encourages us to seek the true "living water" that Jesus offers, as spoken of in John 4:10. This event also illustrates that stubborn resistance to God's commands can lead to increasingly severe consequences, as seen throughout the narrative of the ten plagues of Egypt.

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Cross-References

No cross-references found.