Exodus 9:32 kjv

But the wheat and the rye were not smitten: for they were not grown up.

Exodus 9:32 nkjv

But the wheat and the spelt were not struck, for they are late crops.

Exodus 9:32 niv

The wheat and spelt, however, were not destroyed, because they ripen later.)

Exodus 9:32 esv

But the wheat and the emmer were not struck down, for they are late in coming up.)

Exodus 9:32 nlt

But the wheat and the emmer wheat were spared, because they had not yet sprouted from the ground.)

Exodus 9 verses

Exodus 9 32 Meaning

Exodus 9:32 details a specific aspect of the seventh plague upon Egypt, the devastating hail. It states that two particular grain crops, wheat and spelt, were spared from destruction because they were late crops, meaning they had not yet grown up or were not far enough along in their growth cycle to be destroyed by the hail. This verse highlights God's precise knowledge and control over creation, as well as the discriminatory nature of His judgments.

Exodus 9 32 Context

Exodus chapter 9 details three distinct plagues sent by the LORD upon Egypt: the fifth plague, a severe pestilence on livestock (9:1-7); the sixth plague, boils afflicting Egyptians and their animals (9:8-12); and the seventh plague, a devastating hail storm (9:13-35). This verse (9:32) falls within the account of the seventh plague, which was presented as an unprecedented natural disaster in Egypt, designed to demonstrate the LORD's absolute power over all creation and show that there is none like Him in all the earth (9:14).

Historically and culturally, ancient Egypt's economy and sustenance heavily depended on its agriculture, meticulously aligned with the Nile's flooding cycle. The various crops were planted and harvested at specific times of the year. Barley and flax were winter crops, typically sown around November and harvested early spring (March-April), making them vulnerable to a late spring hail. Wheat and spelt, however, were "late crops" or "spring crops" (sown later or ripening later), usually harvested in late spring or early summer (April-June). Thus, at the time of the hail (which likely occurred around March), barley and flax would have been mature and standing, making them susceptible to immediate destruction, while wheat and spelt would still be immature, beneath the ground, or too low to be significantly affected. This precise timing underscores the divine origin and specific targeting of the plague, directly challenging the Egyptian pantheon associated with fertility and harvest, such as Osiris and Isis.

Exodus 9 32 Word analysis

• The wheat (הַחִטָּה, ha-ḥiṭṭāh): The definite article "ha-" points to a specific crop. Ḥiṭṭāh is the common Hebrew word for wheat, a primary staple grain for bread in the ancient Near East. It was cultivated extensively and harvested later than barley.
• and the spelt (וְהַכֻּסֶּמֶת, wə-ha-kussɛmet): The "wə-" is "and." Kussɛmet (spelt or emmer) is a species of wheat, specifically a more primitive, coarser form of wheat. While similar to wheat, it ripened later in the season. Its inclusion shows specific detail in God's judgment, as even varieties of similar crops were differentiated based on their growth stage.
• were not struck, (לֹא נֻכּוּ, lō' nukku): "Lo'" means "not." Nukku is from the verb נָכָה (nakah), "to strike" or "to smite." The passive form "were struck" indicates they were not subjected to the direct, devastating impact of the hail that fell upon other crops. This highlights a deliberate selectivity in the judgment.
• for they (כִּי הֵן, kî hēn): "Kî" introduces the reason, "for" or "because." "Hēn" is "they" (referring to the crops).
• are late crops. (אֲפִילֹת הֵמָּה, ʾăfîlōt hēmmāh): ʾĂfîlōt is a plural adjective derived from the root אָפַל (ʾafal), meaning "to be late" or "to come late." It describes something that comes in due time but after others, specifically referring here to late-maturing crops. Hēmmāh is "they are," further confirming the reason. This precise detail speaks to the timing of the plague being carefully chosen by God to specifically target certain crops and spare others based on their stage of maturity.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The wheat and the spelt": This precise designation of specific crops shows God's intimate knowledge of the Egyptian agricultural cycle and environment. It is not a generalized statement about plants but identifies particular, high-value grains that represent the later harvest.
• "were not struck,": This phrase emphasizes the precise and selective nature of the divine judgment. It underscores that God's power is not a chaotic force but one capable of absolute discernment and control, demonstrating both destructive capability and the capacity to preserve. It hints at a partial mercy amidst wrath.
• "for they are late crops.": This explanatory clause provides the scientific and practical reason for their preservation. It ties God's action to the natural cycles of agriculture, demonstrating that even in supernatural events, there is an underlying order and a reason comprehensible within the natural world God created and governs. This detail highlights God's comprehensive sovereignty, not only over the natural phenomena of hail but also over the timing and development of life.

Exodus 9 32 Bonus section

The distinction between early and late crops, as depicted in Exod 9:31-32, is a direct challenge to the Egyptian gods, particularly those associated with agriculture and the Nile's bounty. Egyptian deities like Osiris (god of agriculture, fertility, the dead), Isis (goddess of motherhood, magic, fertility), and Seth (god of chaos, storms, deserts) were seen as responsible for the land's prosperity. By precisely controlling which crops were destroyed and which were spared by the hail, the LORD demonstrated His exclusive sovereignty over all aspects of their lives, revealing the impotence of Egypt's gods to protect their land and their people. This detailed agricultural judgment served as a powerful polemic against the polytheistic system of Egypt, asserting Yahweh's supremacy. Furthermore, this incident exemplifies God's strategic timing in all His dealings. Every plague was meticulously planned and executed, demonstrating divine omnipotence and omnipresence in ways that could not be explained away by natural phenomena, reinforcing the demand: "Let My people go."

Exodus 9 32 Commentary

Exodus 9:32, within the devastating narrative of the hail plague, offers a profound insight into the character of God and the nature of His judgments. While the flax and barley were obliterated (Exod 9:31), essential components of Egypt's early harvest and economy, God, in His meticulous sovereignty, spared the wheat and spelt. This was not a random occurrence but a deliberate act, precisely timed so that these "late crops" were still immature, either in the ground or just sprouting, and thus not susceptible to the hail's destructive force.

This divine precision underscores several theological truths. First, it demonstrates God's absolute and intimate knowledge of His creation, down to the agricultural cycles of ancient Egypt. He is not a generic deity but one who knows the specifics of every plant and its stage of growth. Second, it highlights the targeted nature of divine judgment. God's wrath is not indiscriminate; it is precisely meted out according to His will and purpose. Even amidst cataclysmic destruction, there is an element of controlled severity. Third, the sparing of these crops can be interpreted as a limited expression of mercy or a prolonged opportunity for Pharaoh and Egypt to repent. By not utterly destroying all crops, God left some possibility for future sustenance, subtly prolonging the opportunity for a change of heart, although Pharaoh persistently hardened himself. This demonstrates that even in wrath, God remembers mercy, offering a continued, albeit shrinking, window for response before final devastation. It also powerfully refutes any notion that Egyptian deities controlled the harvests; the LORD alone had such precise power over the land.