Exodus 7:20 kjv

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 7:20 nkjv

And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the LORD commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck 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 7:20 niv

Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood.

Exodus 7:20 esv

Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded. In the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants he lifted up the staff and struck the water in the Nile, and all the water in the Nile turned into blood.

Exodus 7:20 nlt

So Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD commanded them. As Pharaoh and all of his officials watched, Aaron raised his staff and struck the water of the Nile. Suddenly, the whole river turned to blood!

Exodus 7 verses

Exodus 7 20 Meaning

Exodus 7:20 describes the direct and obedient execution of the Lord's command by Moses and Aaron, initiating the first plague upon Egypt. With Moses’ staff, by the power of God, the life-sustaining waters of the Nile River, which were central to Egyptian life and worshipped as a deity, were supernaturally transformed into blood. This profound act occurred openly before Pharaoh and his court, serving as a powerful and undeniable demonstration of the Lord's supreme authority over all creation and Egyptian deities.

Exodus 7 20 Context

Exodus 7:20 is pivotal, marking the inauguration of the divine judgments against Egypt. Chapter 7 opens with God strengthening Moses and Aaron for their confrontational role with Pharaoh, explicitly stating His intent to perform wonders and deliver Israel, ensuring the Egyptians know His identity as the Lord. Pharaoh's continued hardening of his heart, predicted by God (Exo 7:3), sets the stage for the escalating displays of divine power. This verse directly follows Moses and Aaron's demonstration of Aaron's staff turning into a serpent, which the Egyptian magicians were able to mimic, albeit their serpents were swallowed. The turning of the Nile to blood represents a significant escalation, as it directly impacts the very lifeblood of Egypt. Historically and culturally, the Nile was more than a river; it was revered as the source of all life, worshipped as deities like Hapi, Khnum, and a manifestation of Osiris. The act of turning the Nile to blood was a direct and devastating polemic against these Egyptian gods, demonstrating their powerlessness and the Lord's absolute sovereignty over even the most revered elements of Egyptian existence.

Exodus 7 20 Word analysis

• And Moses and Aaron did so: This phrase emphasizes the immediate and complete obedience of Moses and Aaron to the divine command. Their actions are not self-initiated but directly responsive to God's specific instruction. This obedience is critical, signifying their role as agents of the Lord.
• just as the Lord commanded: Highlights the divine origin and authority behind the action. It wasn't magic performed by human ingenuity, but God's power working through His appointed servants according to His precise will. The Hebrew word for "commanded," צָוָה (tzavah), implies a specific, authoritative directive.
• and he lifted up the staff: "He" refers to Aaron, as indicated in Exo 7:19. The "staff" (מַטֶּה, matteh) is not merely a wooden rod; it is the staff of God (Exo 4:20), previously identified as Aaron's rod. It serves as an instrument or symbol of divine authority and power, not a source of inherent magical ability. Its lifting signifies the initiation of God's supernatural work.
• and struck the water that was in the Nile: The act of "struck" (נָכָה, nakah) is forceful and decisive, not a mere touch. It indicates a direct and impactful confrontation with the Nile, the heart of Egyptian existence. The "Nile" (יְאֹר, ye'or) specifically refers to Egypt's lifeline, the sole major river. This strike targets the source of their prosperity, their daily sustenance, and their polytheistic reverence.
• in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants: This phrase underscores the public, undeniable nature of the miracle. It was performed openly, meant to be seen and to compel recognition of the Lord's power. Pharaoh and his court, the symbols of Egyptian power and polytheistic leadership, were direct witnesses. This negates any possibility of secrecy or trickery.
• and all the water that was in the Nile was turned to blood:
  • all the water: Emphasizes the totality and universality of the transformation. It was not localized or partial but affected the entire river system.
  • was turned (הָפַךְ, haphak): Signifies a complete and fundamental change in nature. The water didn't just become discolored; its essence was transformed into blood. This implies an immediate loss of potability and life-sustaining quality.
  • to blood (דָּם, dam): "Blood" here represents pollution, death, defilement, and a violation of purity norms for the Egyptians. This transformation attacked Egyptian religious beliefs where clean water (Nile) symbolized purity and life, while blood, especially human or sacrificial blood, had distinct religious implications, not meant for common consumption. It desecrated their sacred river.

Exodus 7 20 Bonus section

The immediate and universal nature of the plague is significant: "all the water... was turned to blood," indicating a complete and widespread impact across Egypt, not just in Pharaoh's vicinity. The Hebrew word ye'or not only referred to the main Nile channel but also its canals, tributaries, and reservoirs that permeated the land. This means the plague touched virtually all fresh water sources, bringing universal distress. Furthermore, the fish in the Nile died (Exo 7:21), a blow to both their diet and a specific Egyptian deity often depicted as a fish god. This plague brought not only thirst and economic hardship but also an overwhelming stench that made Egyptian life unbearable, symbolizing the spiritual corruption inherent in their false worship. The magicians' inability to reverse the plague, only able to replicate by adding more blood (Exo 7:22), underscored the superiority of God's power and rendered their acts futile. Pharaoh's continued hardened heart immediately after this initial, devastating blow demonstrates the deep-seated spiritual rebellion that required a prolonged demonstration of God's power.

Exodus 7 20 Commentary

Exodus 7:20 inaugurates God's direct campaign against Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt, serving as the first, highly impactful plague. It is a profound declaration of Yahweh's unparalleled sovereignty. The immediate obedience of Moses and Aaron highlights their unwavering trust and role as divine agents, with God's power flowing through the instrument of the staff, not originating from it. The transformation of the Nile, the very pulse of Egypt's life, from life-giving water into repugnant blood was a multifaceted judgment. It simultaneously represented an ecological disaster, making their essential resource undrinkable; an economic catastrophe, as fish died and irrigation was threatened; and, most importantly, a profound theological assault. It desacralized Hapi, the god of the Nile, Khnum, guardian of the Nile's source, and Osiris, who represented the Nile's life-giving cycle. This act rendered their revered deities impotent and polluted their sacred lifeline, compelling them to dig for alternative water sources (Exo 7:24). The plague's public performance before Pharaoh served as an inescapable demonstration, allowing no denial of God's immediate and overwhelming power, setting the stage for increasing displays of judgment and Pharaoh's continued hardening of heart. Practically, it demonstrates God's ultimate control over nature and history, fulfilling His promise to act on behalf of His people, reminding us that even the most cherished worldly securities can be rendered useless by His judgment.