Exodus 9:21 kjv

And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.

Exodus 9:21 nkjv

But he who did not regard the word of the LORD left his servants and his livestock in the field.

Exodus 9:21 niv

But those who ignored the word of the LORD left their slaves and livestock in the field.

Exodus 9:21 esv

but whoever did not pay attention to the word of the LORD left his slaves and his livestock in the field.

Exodus 9:21 nlt

But those who paid no attention to the word of the LORD left theirs out in the open.

Exodus 9 verses

Exodus 9 21 Meaning

Exodus 9:21 describes the response of certain Egyptians to the Lord's warning concerning the impending plague of hail. While some Egyptians heeded the word of the Lord by bringing their servants and livestock indoors, this verse focuses on those who deliberately disregarded the divine instruction. These individuals, through their neglect and unbelief, chose to leave their servants and livestock exposed in the field, consequently incurring severe loss. The verse highlights the active choice of disobedience and its dire consequences, contrasting it with the obedience of others and foreshadowing the escalating judgments against an unrepentant Egypt.

Exodus 9 21 Context

Exodus 9:21 is situated within the narrative of the seven A-level-plus, which refers to the plague of severe hail that struck Egypt. This plague followed earlier judgments (water to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock disease, boils) which had already demonstrated the futility of Pharaoh's resistance. Before unleashing the hail, the Lord, through Moses, provided a direct warning and specific instructions for preservation: everyone and every animal must be brought indoors (Ex 9:18-19). This unprecedented divine grace offered even to Egyptians demonstrated God's character as both judge and one who desires to provide an escape. The preceding verse (Ex 9:20) describes those who "feared the word of the Lord" and acted on the warning, thus saving their servants and livestock. Verse 21 then serves as a sharp contrast, illustrating the continued hardening of hearts among a segment of the Egyptian population. This internal division among the Egyptians reveals that not everyone disregarded God, but a significant portion, embodying Pharaoh's stubbornness, chose to defy divine warning, facing direct consequences as a result.

Exodus 9 21 Word analysis

• But: (waw conjunction, meaning "and," "but," "however"). This conjunction acts as a strong contrastive particle, setting apart the group described in this verse from the group in the previous verse (Ex 9:20) who obeyed God's word. It highlights two distinct responses within Egypt to the same divine warning.
• he who did not regard: (Hebrew: ’ên lo’ sām-liḇbô - אֵין־לוֹ שָׂם לִבּוֹ, literally "there was not to him a putting of his heart" or "who did not set his heart to"). This is a profound idiom, implying more than mere inattention. It signifies a conscious, willful neglect, indifference, or a lack of serious consideration and trust. It’s an internal disposition of dismissal. This phrase captures the essence of active disobedience born from unbelief and disrespect for the source of the warning.
• the word of the LORD: (Hebrew: deḇar YHWH - דְּבַר יְהוָה). Refers specifically to the divine commandment and warning delivered by Moses concerning the impending hail (Ex 9:18-19). This is not mere human advice but a direct, authoritative utterance from the sovereign God, Yahweh. To disregard this word is to directly defy God Himself. The Lord's word here acts as a test, sifting the population based on their response.
• left: (Hebrew: wǎyyannaḥ - וַיַּנַּח, Hiphil imperfect of nûaḥ - נוּחַ, meaning "to cause to rest" or "to leave undisturbed"). In this context, it implies allowing something to remain where it is, unaddressed. It speaks to a conscious choice of inaction despite the clear danger.
• his servants: (Hebrew: ‘ăḇāḏāw - עֲבָדָיו). Refers to enslaved people, likely laborers in the field. The neglect demonstrates a callous indifference to human life, even that of their own property. This contrasts with God's concern for human life.
• and his livestock: (Hebrew: ûmiqnaṯw - וּמִקְנֵהוּ). Refers to their economic assets – cattle, sheep, goats. The owners’ disregard extended beyond people to their valuable animals, showing either deep contempt for the warning or irrational self-destruction stemming from pride.
• in the field: (Hebrew: bǎśśāḏeh - בַּשָּׂדֶה). The exposed open areas where the devastating hail would strike with full force. This spatial detail emphasizes the vulnerability and the severe outcome of their neglect.

Words-group analysis:

• "he who did not regard the word of the LORD": This phrase precisely identifies the root of their calamitous decision: a profound disrespect and intentional turning away from God's communicated will. This attitude is equivalent to treating God's revelation as irrelevant or false, a pattern seen throughout biblical history. It exposes an internal state of hardened heart similar to Pharaoh's, even if expressed differently.

• "left his servants and his livestock in the field": This action-oriented consequence clearly illustrates the practical outcome of disregarding God's word. The economic and human cost associated with their inaction served as an immediate, palpable judgment for their rebellion. It speaks to a societal arrogance that refused to adapt even in the face of escalating divine judgment.

Exodus 9 21 Bonus section

• Polemic against Egyptian Deities: The disregard for Yahweh's word by these Egyptians implies their continued trust in their own gods to protect them, or a belief that Yahweh's power was insufficient. The subsequent devastating hail (associated with sky gods like Shu, storm gods like Seth, or agricultural gods) served as a direct judgment against the impotence of these false deities to protect those who trusted in them, highlighting Yahweh's absolute supremacy.
• Selective Obedience and Unbelief within Egypt: This verse, contrasted with verse 20, reveals that the hardened heart was not uniform across all of Egypt. It shows a divine "sifting" happening within the population. God's warning was a test, and individuals (not just Pharaoh) were held accountable for their response. This highlights that responsibility for belief and obedience ultimately rests with each person, regardless of their societal context.
• The Grace of the Warning: It's noteworthy that God provided a warning and a means of escape for the Egyptians at all. The opportunity to save their possessions and lives was a display of His long-suffering mercy, even towards a people who had enslaved His own. Those who disregarded it consciously rejected this divine grace.
• Symbolism of "Heart": The idiom "did not set his heart to" emphasizes that spiritual response originates in the "heart" – the center of intellect, will, and emotion. Their failure was not just external disobedience but an internal corruption or apathy towards God.

Exodus 9 21 Commentary

Exodus 9:21 stands as a powerful testament to the principle that belief, or its absence, translates directly into action and consequence. God, in His patience and justice, issues clear warnings. Some hear and obey, demonstrating fear of the Lord (Ex 9:20), indicating a wise and life-saving respect for His sovereignty. Others, like those in this verse, possess a deep-seated contempt for God's word, failing to "put their heart to it." This isn't mere ignorance; it is willful disregard stemming from a proud, unbelieving heart. Their decision to leave servants and livestock exposed was not merely an economic misjudgment, but a defiant rejection of a direct divine command, illustrating their self-destructive spiritual blindness. The subsequent hail then served as a direct manifestation of God's judgment against their hard-heartedness, emphasizing that choosing to ignore God's clear word invariably leads to avoidable suffering and loss. The passage provides a stark and enduring lesson on the vital importance of heeding divine instruction for salvation and well-being.