Exodus 9:26 kjv

Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.

Exodus 9:26 nkjv

Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail.

Exodus 9:26 niv

The only place it did not hail was the land of Goshen, where the Israelites were.

Exodus 9:26 esv

Only in the land of Goshen, where the people of Israel were, was there no hail.

Exodus 9:26 nlt

The only place without hail was the region of Goshen, where the people of Israel lived.

Exodus 9 verses

Exodus 9 26 Meaning

Exodus 9:26 states a distinct exception during the devastating plague of hail: while hail fell across all of Egypt, the land of Goshen, where the Israelites resided, experienced no hail. This highlights God's unique protection and differentiation of His people from the Egyptians, showcasing His sovereign power over creation and His precise control over judgment, saving those He has chosen. It serves as a clear demonstration of the Lord's omnipotence and His faithfulness to His covenant people, even amidst widespread judgment.

Exodus 9 26 Context

Exodus chapter 9 details two significant plagues upon Egypt: the plague of boils (verses 8-12) and the plague of hail (verses 13-35). Verse 26 is nestled within the account of the seventh plague, the severe hail that struck Egypt. This plague was a powerful demonstration of YHWH's absolute sovereignty over the elements, a domain often attributed to various Egyptian deities like Seth (god of storms and disorder), Nut (sky goddess), and Shu (god of air and atmosphere). The hail was not just destructive but uniquely potent, combining fire and ice.

Throughout the plague narrative, God progressively reveals His superiority over all Egyptian gods and Pharaoh. The consistent theme is God's power to distinguish between Israel and Egypt. Goshen was the specific area of Egypt designated for the Israelites' residence, promised by Pharaoh in Genesis 47. This land served as a protected enclave, becoming a vivid demonstration that the plagues were not random natural disasters but precise, targeted judgments from the hand of God, specifically designed to bypass His chosen people and reveal His mighty hand to both the Egyptians and the Israelites. Pharaoh's hardened heart is also a central theme, with God repeatedly demonstrating His power despite Pharaoh's resistance, ultimately to receive glory.

Exodus 9 26 Word analysis

• Only (raq): The Hebrew word "raq" is a particle of restriction or exception, meaning "only," "nothing but," or "except." Its placement here powerfully emphasizes the unique, specific, and absolute exemption granted to Goshen. It highlights that this was not a matter of chance or partial protection, but an exclusive, divinely ordained distinction, marking the clear boundary of God's judgment and grace.
• in the land of Goshen (be'erets Goshen): Goshen was a fertile region in the eastern Nile Delta, designated as the residence for Jacob's family (Gen 47:6). The specificity of this geographical location underlines the precise and intentional nature of God's intervention. It was not just any land but the very land where God's covenant people dwelt, showcasing divine knowledge and focused care. This location, historically a place of refuge and sustenance for Israel, becomes a symbol of God's active presence and provision amidst surrounding judgment.
• where the children of Israel were (asher sham Bnei Yisrael): This phrase clarifies the reason for Goshen's exemption: the presence of "the children of Israel," God's chosen and beloved covenant people. This emphasizes the personal relationship between God and Israel, confirming that the protection was not due to any inherent quality of the land itself but to the inhabitants. It reinforces the theological truth that God's grace and protection are for those who belong to Him.
• there was no hail (lo hayah barad): This declarative statement underscores the miraculous nature of the event. "Hail" (barad) signifies a powerful and destructive natural force. The absence of it in Goshen, against the backdrop of its devastating presence everywhere else, is a direct testament to God's complete dominion over nature. It demonstrates that God not only brings judgment but also restrains it perfectly, exhibiting total control over all creation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were: This entire phrase encapsulates the principle of divine particularity. It highlights God's ability to act with absolute precision, confining His judgment to one group while fully preserving another, all based on His covenant relationship. The specific geographical detail (Goshen) combined with the human detail (children of Israel) establishes an unmistakable correlation between God's chosen people and His protective grace. This sets them apart as a unique nation under a unique covenant, serving as a sign to both Egypt and Israel of YHWH's unparalleled power and love.
• there was no hail: This serves as the undeniable, empirical evidence of the divine distinction. The simplicity and directness of the declaration amplify its power. It's not "less hail" or "minor hail" but a complete absence, making the miraculous intervention indisputable. This absence is not just an alleviation of suffering but a profound theological statement: God has the power to bless and protect amidst destruction, and His chosen ones are shielded.

Exodus 9 26 Bonus section

The consistent protection of Goshen throughout the escalating plagues serves as a powerful and repetitive motif, reinforcing the theological point of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It transforms Goshen from merely a geographical location into a symbol of divine sanctuary and secure dwelling under God's watchful eye. The fact that the Egyptians could witness this palpable difference, plague after plague, removed any doubt that YHWH was specifically acting against them and for Israel. This ongoing differentiation would have significantly strengthened the Israelites' faith, proving that the God of their fathers was actively at work for their deliverance, a concept crucial for them before embarking on the challenging journey through the wilderness.

Exodus 9 26 Commentary

Exodus 9:26 succinctly articulates a profound theological truth: God’s capacity for selective judgment and sovereign protection. As the catastrophic hail plague afflicted all of Egypt, showcasing the Lord's absolute power over creation and delivering a decisive blow against Egyptian deities associated with sky and storm, Goshen remained untouched. This was not a coincidence but a direct, verifiable miracle demonstrating God’s distinct relationship with Israel. He actively differentiates between His covenant people and the rest of the world, offering shelter to the former while visiting judgment upon the latter. This distinction serves multiple purposes: to display God's unparalleled might to Pharaoh, to confirm His covenant faithfulness to Israel, and to invite observation from both nations that YHWH alone is God. The unblemished land of Goshen stood as a beacon of divine grace amid widespread destruction, signaling that salvation from judgment is found uniquely in being identified with God's chosen. This act foreshadows broader biblical themes of spiritual separation, God's protective dwelling with His people, and ultimate judgment where the righteous are preserved.