Exodus 9:18 kjv

Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.

Exodus 9:18 nkjv

Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause very heavy hail to rain down, such as has not been in Egypt since its founding until now.

Exodus 9:18 niv

Therefore, at this time tomorrow I will send the worst hailstorm that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded till now.

Exodus 9:18 esv

Behold, about this time tomorrow I will cause very heavy hail to fall, such as never has been in Egypt from the day it was founded until now.

Exodus 9:18 nlt

So tomorrow at this time I will send a hailstorm more devastating than any in all the history of Egypt.

Exodus 9 verses

Exodus 9 18 Meaning

Exodus 9:18 declares that God will cause an exceedingly severe hail to fall upon Egypt at a precise time, a hail unlike anything the nation has experienced since its inception. This forewarns an unparalleled divine judgment designed to demonstrate God's unique power and to press Pharaoh towards releasing the Israelites.

Exodus 9 18 Context

Exodus 9:18 introduces the seventh of the ten plagues brought upon Egypt. This plague, hail mixed with fire, followed the plagues of boils (the sixth plague, Ex 9:8-12). Each preceding plague had hardened Pharaoh's heart further or seen him make temporary concessions, only to renege. God's declaration about the unprecedented nature of this hail highlights its extreme severity, signaling a significant escalation in the divine judgment. The plague aims to strike at Egypt's agricultural foundation (crops and livestock) and the lives of its people, targeting not only the land's economy but also challenging the very existence and power of Egyptian deities associated with sky, weather, and harvest, such as Nut (sky goddess), Shu (air god), Seth (storm god), and Osiris (fertility god). The warnings preceding this plague give the Egyptians an opportunity to save themselves and their livestock by bringing them indoors, marking a moment of divine grace amidst judgment and demonstrating the true living God's control over nature.

Exodus 9 18 Word analysis

• Tomorrow: (מָחָר - machar). This Hebrew term signifies immediacy and a definite, precise future timing. It conveys God's specific scheduling of the event, leaving no doubt about when it would occur. This is not a vague threat but a detailed, imminent warning.
• About this time: (כָּעֵת מָחָר - ka'et machar). The phrase emphasizes the exact hour or moment, adding to the precision of God's timing. It highlights divine control, demonstrating that God is orchestrating events with exactitude rather than general causation.
• I will cause to rain: (מַמְטִיר - mamṭir, a causative verb form, hiphil participle). This active voice stresses God's direct and deliberate initiation of the rain. It’s not a natural weather phenomenon but an act of divine intervention, distinct from mere meteorological occurrences. God is the sovereign agent.
• very severe hail: (בָּרָד כָּבֵד מְאֹד - barad kaved me'od). "Barad" is hail. "Kaved" means heavy, weighty, significant, or severe. "Me'od" means exceedingly, very much. The combination intensifies the description of the hail, indicating its extraordinary density, size, and destructive force. It means it will be an unprecedentedly large and damaging hail.
• such as has not been in Egypt: (אֲשֶׁר לֹא־הָיָה כָמוֹהוּ - 'asher lo-hayah chamohu). This phrase asserts the unparalleled nature of the event. It underlines the uniqueness of God's act, surpassing any natural phenomenon previously witnessed or recorded in Egyptian history.
• since its founding until now: (מִיּוֹם הִוָּסְדָה וְעַד עַתָּה - miyom hivasdah v'ad 'attah). This specifies the extent of the unprecedented nature – spanning the entire historical existence of Egypt as a nation. It serves to underscore the profound magnitude of God's power and judgment, impacting a civilization with a long and proud history.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Tomorrow about this time": This exact timing highlights God's perfect sovereignty and deliberate action. It contrasts with pagan deities, often unpredictable or bound by natural cycles, emphasizing Yahweh's intelligent and willful control over time and creation. It offers a window of grace for those who might heed the warning.
• "I will cause to rain very severe hail": This phrasing removes any doubt that the plague is an act of God. It's not chance or nature but a targeted, powerful, and destructive force unleashed by the Almighty. The "very severe" aspect implies unparalleled devastation.
• "such as has not been in Egypt since its founding until now": This statement emphasizes the extraordinary nature of this judgment, making it a benchmark in Egyptian history. It powerfully declares God's ability to transcend any prior natural occurrence, positioning Him as supremely dominant over any regional or historical force, thereby dismantling the perceived might of Egyptian gods and the pharaoh's claims of divine power. It sets this plague apart as unique in a long list of increasingly harsh judgments.

Exodus 9 18 Bonus section

• The seventh plague, hail, specifically targets the land and its resources, striking at Egypt's economy, as crops are essential for the sustenance of their population and animals. This shows a methodical dismantling of Egypt's power and self-sufficiency.
• The detail of "fire mingled with the hail" (Ex 9:24) suggests severe electrical storms or lightning accompanying the hail, amplifying the terrifying and supernatural nature of the event. It combines two destructive forces: water (hail) and fire (lightning/thunderbolts).
• Unlike some earlier plagues (like gnats or flies), the hail plague explicitly provided a warning period, giving a clear choice: believe God and take shelter, or defy Him and face destruction. This distinction separated those Egyptians (and any Israelites not yet distinguished) who believed God's warning from those who remained stubborn.
• This plague's targeting of crops sets the stage for the locust plague, as any remaining vegetation would then be consumed. Each plague systematically strips away Egypt's means of life and reinforces God's control over every aspect of existence, leaving no doubt about His supreme authority.

Exodus 9 18 Commentary

Exodus 9:18 acts as a specific, pre-announced judgment. The precise timing and the unique severity of the predicted hail underscore the deliberate and unparalleled nature of God's intervention. This was not a chance weather event but a divine execution. The plague of hail, notable for its destructive combination of water and fire (hail often contains electrical activity, seen as fire, Ex 9:24), struck directly at Egypt's agricultural backbone, damaging crops, trees, and un-sheltered people and animals. It served as a stark demonstration that the Lord God was not merely another tribal deity but the sovereign Creator over all creation, including the elements previously attributed to Egyptian gods. Pharaoh and the Egyptians were given an explicit warning and a chance to protect themselves and their property by believing and acting upon God's word, showcasing God's persistent grace even in judgment. This was an opportunity for them to differentiate between the true God and their false idols, demonstrating that disobedience to God's warnings inevitably leads to devastation.