Exodus 9:33 kjv

And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.

Exodus 9:33 nkjv

So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and spread out his hands to the LORD; then the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain was not poured on the earth.

Exodus 9:33 niv

Then Moses left Pharaoh and went out of the city. He spread out his hands toward the LORD; the thunder and hail stopped, and the rain no longer poured down on the land.

Exodus 9:33 esv

So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and stretched out his hands to the LORD, and the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain no longer poured upon the earth.

Exodus 9:33 nlt

So Moses left Pharaoh's court and went out of the city. When he lifted his hands to the LORD, the thunder and hail stopped, and the downpour ceased.

Exodus 9 verses

Exodus 9 33 Meaning

Exodus 9:33 describes Moses' obedient act of prayer and God's immediate, definitive response to his intercession. After leaving Pharaoh's presence, Moses stretched out his hands to the Lord, and in direct consequence of his supplication, the devastating hail and thunder that had afflicted Egypt completely ceased, with no lingering rain. This verse powerfully illustrates God's sovereign control over creation and His responsiveness to His servant's prayer, validating His word and the authority of Moses.

Exodus 9 33 Context

Exodus chapter 9 details the seventh plague God brought upon Egypt: the devastating hail (Exod 9:13-35). This plague was preceded by specific warnings to Pharaoh, highlighting its severity as a judgment directly from the Lord that would spare no one outside, from man to beast, and would destroy crops. Despite these warnings, and the visible destruction, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened. Verse 33 follows Moses' statement to Pharaoh in verse 29 that he would go out of the city and pray for the cessation of the hail. The context highlights Moses as the appointed mediator and God's absolute sovereignty over creation, directly challenging the various Egyptian deities associated with weather, sky, and harvest, such as Nut (sky goddess), Shu (air god), and Seth (god of storms and disorder). The plague and its precise cessation are designed to demonstrate unmistakably that the God of the Hebrews is the one true God, distinct from the gods of Egypt.

Exodus 9 33 Word analysis

• So Moses: Indicates direct action by Moses in response to the situation and Pharaoh's agreement to let the hail stop if Moses prayed. Moses acts as the divine agent.
• went out of the city: Hebrew: va'yeitzei ha'ir (וַיֵּצֵא הָעִיר). This signifies a deliberate physical removal from Pharaoh's corrupt presence and the immediate zone of divine judgment. Prayer, especially impactful intercession, is often presented as needing a place of focus and separation. It contrasts Pharaoh's sphere of earthly power with Moses' sphere of access to heavenly power.
• from Pharaoh: Moses departs from the locus of opposition and unbelief.
• and spread out his hands: Hebrew: va'yifros kappav (וַיִּפְרֹשׂ כַּפָּיו). This is a well-established gesture of prayer, supplication, and worship in the ancient Near East and throughout the Bible. It denotes openness, surrender, earnest appeal, and anticipation of receiving from the divine. It is an act of total dependence on God. The kaphaim (palms) suggests hands outstretched, open and elevated towards the heavens.
• to the Lord: Hebrew: el Adonai (אֶל יְהוָה). Directly addressing YHWH, the covenant God of Israel. It emphasizes that Moses' petition is aimed specifically at the one true God, distinct from any Egyptian deity, reinforcing YHWH's exclusive claim to sovereignty.
• and the thunder: Hebrew: hakolot (הַקֹּלֹת), literally "the voices" or "the sounds." In this context, it unmistakably refers to the accompanying sound of the powerful hail storm, which would have been terrifying and indicative of God's power.
• and hail: Hebrew: v'habbārād (וְהַבָּרָד). The primary element of the destructive seventh plague, explicitly named.
• ceased: Hebrew: chādelū (חָדְלוּ). This verb implies a complete stopping, a bringing to an end. It denotes a deliberate and immediate cessation, not a gradual tapering off or natural conclusion, highlighting the miraculous and divine control.
• and no rain fell: Hebrew: u'mātar lo nittakh artza (וּמָטָר לֹא נִתַּךְ אָרְצָה). This clarifies the completeness of the cessation. Even though hail storms often involve rain, God's stopping of the plague was so precise and absolute that not even common rain followed. This demonstrates God's perfect, minute control over meteorological phenomena, leaving no ambiguity about the source of the plague or its removal.
• on the earth: The universality of the immediate effect across the land.

Words-group analysis:

• "So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and spread out his hands to the Lord": This entire phrase delineates Moses' shift in focus and authority. He moves away from the human authority (Pharaoh) and the polluted urban center to engage directly with the divine authority (the Lord). His physical movement precedes his spiritual act, symbolizing a separation from the world system to access heavenly power through prayer. It underscores the contrast between man's inability and God's omnipotence activated through faithful intercession.
• "and the thunder and hail ceased, and no rain fell on the earth": This describes the precise, comprehensive, and immediate result of Moses' intercession and God's power. The inclusion of "no rain fell" emphasizes the exact nature of God's command being fulfilled—not just the storm, but even the related moisture stopped, indicating divine craftsmanship in controlling creation. This specific, detailed cessation serves as undeniable proof to both the Egyptians and the Israelites of YHWH's supreme power.

Exodus 9 33 Bonus section

• The seventh plague, hail, uniquely combined multiple destructive elements: hailstones, fire (lightning, Exod 9:23), and thunder. Its immediate cessation without lingering effects underscored the divine, supernatural control, moving beyond a natural storm's cycle.
• This plague's cessation, like the other plagues and their stopping, served as an unmistakable sign not just of God's power but also His patience and willingness to offer Pharaoh opportunities for repentance, though Pharaoh continually resisted.
• Moses' role as an intercessor here foreshadows the greater mediator, Jesus Christ, who perfectly intercedes for His people and demonstrates absolute authority over creation and the forces of judgment.
• The exact cessation further highlights the reliability and truthfulness of God's Word, spoken through Moses. What God promises, He unfailingly performs.

Exodus 9 33 Commentary

Exodus 9:33 encapsulates the core message of the plague narratives: the irresistible power of YHWH demonstrated through His obedient servant. Moses, having explicitly declared his intention to pray for the cessation of the hail to Pharaoh (Exod 9:29), now executes that promise. His physical departure from Pharaoh's presence symbolizes a spiritual separation, highlighting that true power comes not from the oppressive throne but from communion with God. His posture of "spreading out his hands" signifies an open, vulnerable, yet faith-filled dependence on the Lord. God's immediate response to Moses' prayer—the complete cessation of thunder, hail, and even subsequent rain—is a powerful testament to His faithfulness and control. This serves not only to confirm Moses' divine appointment but, more importantly, to definitively prove YHWH's unparalleled sovereignty over creation, challenging and humiliating the perceived powers of Egypt's gods. It shows that God does not just start plagues but can precisely end them, controlling nature with a word or through the intercession of His servant. This act further solidifies God's intent to display His glory to the Egyptians and secure Israel's freedom, even as it offers Pharaoh another chance to obey, which he tragically squanders.