Exodus 9:24 kjv

So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.

Exodus 9:24 nkjv

So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, so very heavy that there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.

Exodus 9:24 niv

hail fell and lightning flashed back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation.

Exodus 9:24 esv

There was hail and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very heavy hail, such as had never been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.

Exodus 9:24 nlt

Never in all the history of Egypt had there been a storm like that, with such devastating hail and continuous lightning.

Exodus 9 verses

Exodus 9 24 Meaning

Exodus 9:24 describes the unique and devastating seventh plague inflicted upon Egypt: a severe hailstorm intertwined with fire, unparalleled in Egyptian history. This unprecedented natural disaster served as a potent demonstration of God's absolute sovereignty over creation, distinguishing Him as the one true Lord (Yahweh) above all Egyptian deities. It showcased His power to judge those who oppose His will, while simultaneously providing a distinct protection for His chosen people, Israel.

Exodus 9 24 Context

Exodus 9:24 describes the climax of the seventh plague, a devastating hailstorm mixed with fire. This plague follows six previous judgments—blood, frogs, gnats, flies, diseased livestock, and boils—each progressively demonstrating Yahweh’s power over elements and life, and over Egypt's gods. Prior to this verse, Moses was commanded to stretch his staff toward the heavens, initiating the judgment. The plague was forewarned, emphasizing God's control and Pharaoh's opportunity to relent, which he did not. Historically, ancient Egypt revered various deities associated with the sky, weather, and crops, such as Shu (god of air), Nut (goddess of the sky), Seth (god of storms), and Osiris (god of fertility and agriculture). This plague directly challenged these gods, proving them powerless before the true God, Yahweh, who holds absolute dominion over the natural order and executes His will with unmatched precision and severity. The unparalleled nature of the event in Egypt's history highlighted its divine origin, further compelling the Egyptians to recognize God's supremacy.

Exodus 9 24 Word analysis

• So there was (וַיְהִי, vayhī): A common Hebrew temporal conjunction and verb, meaning "and it came to pass" or "and there was." It indicates the immediate consequence and fulfillment of God's spoken word and Moses' action.
• hail (בָּרָד, bārāḏ): This Hebrew term specifically refers to frozen precipitation, often severe in nature. In biblical context, hail is frequently depicted as an instrument of divine judgment or warfare, demonstrating God's control over the natural world.
• and fire (וְאֵשׁ, vĕ'ēš): "Fire" ('ēš) is a significant biblical motif, representing God's presence, purification, and wrath. Its unique mingling with hail signifies an extraordinary, supernatural event, as these elements are naturally antagonistic.
• mingled with (מִתְלַקַּחַת, mitlakkaḥat): This word comes from the root לקח (laqaḥ), meaning "to take, seize, or grasp." In the Hithpael stem, mitlakkaḥat conveys an intensive, reflexive, or reciprocal action—here meaning "flashing forth continuously," "blazing amidst," or "intertwining itself." It paints a picture of fire not merely adjacent to hail, but actively moving through it, burning despite the freezing temperatures, defying natural laws and highlighting the miraculous power of God.
• the hail, very severe, (הַבָּרָד כָּבֵד מְאֹד, habārāḏ kābēḏ mĕ'ōd): The adjective kābēḏ means "heavy" or "weighty," also conveying "grievous" or "severe." Coupled with mĕ'ōd ("very" or "exceedingly"), it stresses the extreme intensity, destructive force, and unprecedented weightiness of the hail. This phrase emphasizes the unparalleled nature of the disaster.
• such as (לֹא הָיָה כָמֹהוּ, lō' hāyāh khāmōhū): "There was not anything like it." This phrase strongly emphasizes the singular, unparalleled nature of this event, making it distinct from any other meteorological phenomenon witnessed by Egypt.
• had not occurred in all the land of Egypt (בְּכָל אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם, bĕḵāl 'ereṣ miṣrayim): Indicates the plague's widespread and comprehensive impact throughout the entire country, with the exception of Goshen (mentioned in v. 26). This highlights God's universal reach and control within Egypt.
• since it became a nation. (מֵאָז הֶיוֹתָה לְגוֹי, mē'āz heyôtāh lĕgôy): This phrase further magnifies the plague's unprecedented scale. It refers to the entire history of Egypt as an organized state or people. This temporal marker elevates the significance of the event, signifying an act of divine power never before witnessed or recorded by a civilization with a long and proud history. It subtly undermines Egypt's ancient boast of continuous and unchallenged existence.

• fire mingled with the hail: This unique combination is a signature of divine intervention, defying natural laws where fire and ice do not coexist effectively. It illustrates God's absolute mastery over natural elements and His ability to create supernatural phenomena to achieve His purposes of judgment and revelation. It is a polemical statement against Egyptian deities associated with the heavens and elements, such as Shu, Nut, and Seth, proving their impotency against Yahweh's creative and destructive power.
• very severe, such as had not occurred: This repeated emphasis on the unprecedented nature of the plague (seen also in Exod 9:18 and applied to other plagues later, Exod 10:14, 11:6) serves to underscore Yahweh's singular greatness. It asserts that this is not merely a strong storm but a unique, divine act demonstrating a power never before seen by the highly developed Egyptian civilization. It asserts God's unparalleled might and ultimate sovereignty over all nations and their histories.

Exodus 9 24 Bonus section

The mention of "fire mingled with hail" (Hebrew: אֵשׁ מִתְלַקַּחַת בָּבָרָד - 'ēsh mitlakkaḥat bābārāḏ) is profoundly significant. The term mitlakkaḥat vividly portrays the fire not just beside but actively "taking hold" or "blazing forth" within the hail. This goes beyond an unusual meteorological event to being a clear act of supernatural power, showcasing God's absolute dominion over His creation, able to suspend or combine natural laws for His purposes. This combination prefigures similar descriptions of divine judgment in apocalyptic literature (e.g., Rev 8:7, 16:21), where destructive hail often appears intertwined with fire, underscoring its symbolism as an instrument of divine wrath. This plague serves as a distinct polemic not just against specific Egyptian deities, but against the very idea of nature operating outside of God's sovereign command. It effectively declares Yahweh as the one who truly governs all elements.

Exodus 9 24 Commentary

Exodus 9:24 powerfully details the severity and unique nature of the seventh plague, the hail and fire. This event was no ordinary storm but a supernatural demonstration of Yahweh's unparalleled power. The "fire mingled with the hail" highlights the divine intervention, as these elements are naturally counteractive, making their coexistence a direct miracle and a sign of God's wrath. The phrase "very severe, such as had not occurred in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation" underscores the unprecedented scale and intensity, far surpassing any natural disaster Egypt had ever known. This plague served multiple purposes: to break Pharaoh's hardened will, to reveal God's glory and judgment to the Egyptians and the Israelites, and to systematically dismantle the authority of Egypt's gods. It directly challenged deities like Shu (air), Nut (sky), and Seth (storms), proving them utterly impotent against Yahweh's supreme dominion over the heavens and earth. It was a tangible proof that the God of Israel controlled creation, fulfilling His promises and exercising His justice.