Exodus 9:25 kjv

And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.

Exodus 9:25 nkjv

And the hail struck throughout the whole land of Egypt, all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail struck every herb of the field and broke every tree of the field.

Exodus 9:25 niv

Throughout Egypt hail struck everything in the fields?both people and animals; it beat down everything growing in the fields and stripped every tree.

Exodus 9:25 esv

The hail struck down everything that was in the field in all the land of Egypt, both man and beast. And the hail struck down every plant of the field and broke every tree of the field.

Exodus 9:25 nlt

It left all of Egypt in ruins. The hail struck down everything in the open field ? people, animals, and plants alike. Even the trees were destroyed.

Exodus 9 verses

Exodus 9 25 Meaning

Exodus 9:25 vividly describes the devastating impact of the seventh plague, the severe hail, throughout Egypt. It specifies the complete destruction of everything exposed in the fields—both human and animal life, and all plant and tree growth. This verse underscores God's immense power in judgment, His direct assault on Egyptian life and livelihood, and the comprehensive nature of the calamity.

Exodus 9 25 Context

Exodus 9:25 is situated within the narrative of the seventh plague, where God brings unprecedented hail upon Egypt, demonstrating His overwhelming power. This plague, unlike previous ones that often affected specific elements (water to blood, gnats, flies), brought direct physical harm and extensive destruction to Egyptian property and life, sparing only those who heeded God's warning. The plague was a profound challenge to specific Egyptian deities: Nut, the sky goddess; Shu, the air god; Seth, the storm god; Osiris, the god of fertility; and even Pharaoh himself, who claimed divine status. By destroying the crops and livestock that sustained Egypt, God attacked the very economic and religious foundations of the nation, exposing the futility of their trust in these gods and reinforcing His supreme sovereignty. Importantly, preceding verses (9:4, 9:26) confirm that the land of Goshen, where the Israelites resided, was divinely protected, further highlighting God's power to distinguish between His people and their oppressors. Pharaoh's hardened heart, a recurring theme in Exodus, continued to provoke greater severity of God's judgments, setting the stage for even more devastating plagues.

Exodus 9 25 Word analysis

• The hail (הַבָּרָד - ha-barad): The definite article signifies the specific, previously announced hail. Barad describes frozen precipitation, but in Exodus 9:24, it is explicitly noted to be hail and fire (אֵשׁ מִתְלַקַּחַת - esh mitlakachat) - a miraculous, unique, and terrifying phenomenon directly from God, representing severe divine judgment.
• struck down (וַיַּךְ - vayakh from נָכָה - nakah): This verb means to hit, smite, strike, or slay. It implies forceful and devastating impact leading to death or ruin. Its use emphasizes God's direct, violent action in bringing judgment.
• everything (כֹּל - kol): Signifies completeness and totality. It indicates that the destruction was comprehensive, leaving nothing of that category unharmed.
• that was in the field (אֲשֶׁר בַּשָּׂדֶה - asher ba-sadeh): Refers to anything exposed or located outdoors, vulnerable to the elements. This distinguishes it from anything under shelter, highlighting the warning in verse 19.
• in all the land of Egypt (בְּכָל־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַיִם - b'khol-eretz Mitzrayim): Emphasizes the widespread, nationwide impact of the plague, not a localized event. This demonstrates God's dominion over the entire land and its populace, directly confronting Pharaoh's claim of control.
• both man and beast (מֵאָדָם וְעַד־בְּהֵמָה - me'adam v'ad-behemah): This common Hebrew pairing indicates "everything" from human life down to livestock. It underscores the dual target of God's judgment: directly on the Egyptians who defy Him, and indirectly on their livelihood and wealth, affecting all facets of their societal existence.
• And the hail struck down...: The repetition of "the hail struck down" highlights the relentless and pervasive nature of the attack, creating an insistent rhythm of destruction.
• every plant of the field (כָּל־עֵשֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶה - kol-esev ha-sadeh): Refers to all herbaceous vegetation, including grains and other crops vital for food and economy. This signifies a direct attack on Egypt's agricultural foundation and future food supply.
• and shattered (וַיְשַׁבֵּר - vay'shaber from שָׁבַר - shavar): Means to break, shatter, or break into pieces. For trees, this is a stronger term than "struck down," implying total fragmentation and irreparable damage, showcasing the incredible force of the hail.
• every tree of the field (וְאֶת־כָּל־עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה - v'et-kol-etz ha-sadeh): Includes all woody plants, such as fruit trees and shade trees, which were valuable for sustenance, timber, and general well-being. Their destruction symbolizes widespread ecological devastation.

Exodus 9 25 Bonus section

• The phrase "man and beast" serves as a direct link and escalating foreshadowing to the final plague (Ex 12:29), where the "firstborn" of both "man and beast" are targeted, demonstrating a deliberate and escalating progression in God's judgment.
• The selectivity of the hail (affecting "all the land of Egypt" but sparing Goshen, as stated in Ex 9:26) underscores God's absolute ability to differentiate between His covenant people and those who defy Him, a profound theological theme of election and divine protection throughout Scripture.
• The mixing of fire with hail (Ex 9:24) elevates this event beyond a natural disaster to a supernatural display of God's power and wrath, highlighting the active, direct, and unique nature of divine intervention.

Exodus 9 25 Commentary

Exodus 9:25 delivers a powerful declaration of Yahweh's unparalleled might and uncompromising judgment. The dual nature of the destruction, targeting both animate (man and beast) and inanimate (plants and trees) life outside shelter, portrays a catastrophe of unmatched severity. This specific plague functioned as a potent polemic against Egypt's pantheon, particularly their sky, storm, and fertility gods, unequivocally demonstrating their powerlessness against the God of Israel. The comprehensive devastation across "all the land of Egypt" underscores God's total dominion and the direct consequences of Pharaoh's unwavering defiance. This act not only punishes Egypt but also establishes Yahweh's authority for all time, proving His sovereignty over nature, life, and the destinies of nations. For us, this highlights the absolute power of God and the certainty of His word, whether in judgment or protection, reinforcing that true security rests in obedience to Him rather than trust in earthly powers or false deities.