Exodus 7:8 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

Exodus 7:8 nkjv

Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,

Exodus 7:8 niv

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron,

Exodus 7:8 esv

Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,

Exodus 7:8 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,

Exodus 7 verses

Exodus 7 8 Meaning

This verse functions as a pivotal introductory statement, signifying that the subsequent divine instructions concerning the signs and confrontation with Pharaoh originate directly and authoritatively from the Lord to His chosen agents, Moses and Aaron. It underscores God's active engagement and sovereign direction in the unfolding events of Israel's deliverance from Egypt.

Exodus 7 8 Context

Exodus 7:8 appears immediately after the Lord's reaffirmation to Moses and Aaron that He will harden Pharaoh's heart and multiply His signs and wonders in Egypt, so that the Egyptians will know He is the Lord (Exod 7:3-5). Moses and Aaron have accepted their commission despite initial hesitation, and God has clearly defined their roles (Exod 7:1-2). This verse marks the beginning of the detailed, step-by-step instructions from God concerning the specific actions Moses and Aaron are to perform before Pharaoh. It transitions from general assurances and declarations of divine purpose to the practical steps of confrontation, commencing with the miracle of the staff turning into a serpent. Historically, this scene unfolds in the opulent courts of the New Kingdom Pharaohs, who were considered divine beings, demanding absolute obedience and veneration. The upcoming demonstration of God's power through Moses and Aaron is a direct challenge to Pharaoh's authority and the power of Egyptian deities, particularly those associated with serpents, creation, and magic. The Egyptians placed great emphasis on magic, and their wise men and sorcerers would attempt to counter the divine miracles.

Exodus 7 8 Word analysis

• Now: (Hebrew: וַיֹּאמֶר, vayyōʾmer - "And he said" or "Now he said") This connective particle signifies a transition or progression in the narrative, leading to the direct revelation of God's specific command. It marks a shift from background information or general reassurances to immediate, actionable instructions.
• the Lord: (Hebrew: יְהוָה, YHWH - The Tetragrammaton) This is the covenant name of God, indicating His self-existent, eternal nature and His personal relationship with Israel. The use of this name in the context of commanding actions against Egypt emphasizes His supreme sovereignty over all other powers and deities, directly confronting the polytheistic worldview of the Egyptians, who worshipped many gods including a deified pharaoh.
• spoke: (Hebrew: אָמַר, ʾāmar - to say, to speak, to command) This verb denotes a direct, verbal communication from God. It highlights that the following instructions are not assumptions or deductions by Moses and Aaron, but rather explicit words from the Almighty, conveying divine authority and certainty to their mission. This is the act of specific divine revelation.
• to Moses and Aaron: These are the chosen human agents through whom God will execute His plan. Moses (מֹשֶׁה, mōšeh) is the prophet and leader, while Aaron (אַהֲרֹן, ʾaharon) serves as his spokesman and helper. Their joint mention underscores their partnership in fulfilling God's will, establishing them as God's official representatives to Pharaoh. This emphasizes their delegated authority and accountability.
• saying: (Hebrew: לֵאמֹר, lēʾmōr - an infinitive construct meaning "to say," "as follows") This introduces direct speech, indicating that the precise words of God are about to be quoted. It guarantees the verbatim nature and divine origin of the forthcoming instructions for the miracle and the confrontation with Pharaoh, leaving no doubt that what they are to do is precisely what God has commanded.

Words-group analysis:

• Now the Lord spoke: This phrase emphasizes divine initiative and the immediate onset of God's direct intervention in human affairs. It signals that the following narrative details are directly commanded by the supreme deity, YHWH, initiating His plan against Egypt's defiance.
• to Moses and Aaron, saying: This identifies the specific, designated recipients of God's revelation and command. It highlights their joint commission and serves to authenticate the instructions they are about to receive as originating directly from God's mouth, preparing them to act as His authoritative emissaries before Pharaoh.

Exodus 7 8 Bonus section

• The repetitive structure of "The Lord spoke to Moses (and Aaron)" throughout Exodus and other Pentateuchal books underscores a consistent theme: God is a God who speaks, reveals His will, and initiates His plans through human agents. This pattern validates the authority of the narrative and the commands given.
• This verse signals a definitive transition from periods of questioning and reaffirmation (e.g., Exod 6:10-12, 29-30) to direct, implementable instructions for the unfolding of God's salvific work.
• The context highlights a cosmic clash: not merely between nations or men, but between the living God and the false deities of Egypt, with Pharaoh representing the epitome of human defiance against divine sovereignty.
• The "speaking" emphasizes that divine revelation is not an obscure mystical experience, but often clear, audible, and instructional.

Exodus 7 8 Commentary

Exodus 7:8 is a brief yet foundational verse, serving as the explicit preamble to the miraculous contest between God and Pharaoh, enacted through Moses and Aaron. It is not merely a literary connector but a theological anchor, establishing that every sign, every wonder, and every plague that follows is not a random event or a feat of human magic, but a deliberate act commanded by the sovereign Lord. The repeated formula "The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying" (or similar variations) throughout the Pentateuch stresses the directness and intentionality of God's revelation. For the original audience, trapped in slavery, this divine communication provided assurance that their God, YHWH, was intimately involved and fully in control of their liberation, actively orchestrating the events through His chosen servants. For future generations, it established the divine origin of the narrative and the ultimate authority behind the Mosaic Law and the covenant. This verse dispels any notion that Moses and Aaron acted on their own accord or employed pagan magic; rather, their every action in this pivotal confrontation with Pharaoh stems from the explicit directive of the God of Israel. It sets the stage for God's demonstration of power over all Egyptian magic and deities.