Exodus 9:5 kjv
And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land.
Exodus 9:5 nkjv
Then the LORD appointed a set time, saying, "Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land."
Exodus 9:5 niv
The LORD set a time and said, "Tomorrow the LORD will do this in the land."
Exodus 9:5 esv
And the LORD set a time, saying, "Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land."
Exodus 9:5 nlt
The LORD has already set the time for the plague to begin. He has declared that he will strike the land tomorrow.'"
Exodus 9 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 9:6 | And the Lord did that thing on the morrow... | Immediate fulfillment of God's word. |
| Num 23:19 | God is not a man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said...? | God's faithfulness and certainty of His word. |
| Deut 18:22 | When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not follow nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. | God's prophecy always comes to pass. |
| Josh 23:14 | And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word has failed... | God's past promises have all been fulfilled. |
| 1 Sam 15:29 | And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret. | God is unchanging and reliable. |
| Ps 33:11 | The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. | God's plans are eternal and unfailing. |
| Isa 46:10 | Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand... | God's foreknowledge and sovereign plan. |
| Isa 55:11 | so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty... | God's word always achieves its purpose. |
| Jer 1:12 | Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” | God's commitment to fulfill His word. |
| Lam 3:37 | Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? | Nothing happens without God's command. |
| Hab 2:3 | For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. | God's prophecies have an appointed time. |
| Matt 5:18 | For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. | The certainty of divine revelation. |
| Matt 24:35 | Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. | The eternality and truth of Jesus' words. |
| Acts 1:7 | He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” | God retains control of His precise timings. |
| Rom 9:17 | For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you... | God's ultimate purpose in the plagues. |
| Gal 4:4 | But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son... | God acts at the precise, appointed time. |
| Eph 1:11 | In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will... | God's sovereign control over all events. |
| 2 Pet 3:8 | But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. | God's perspective on time differs from man's. |
| Rev 1:1 | The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. | God reveals future events with certainty. |
| Rev 22:6 | And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true... things that must soon take place.” | Certainty of prophetic fulfillment. |
| Jer 29:10 | For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you... | God sets specific times for historical events. |
Exodus 9 verses
Exodus 9 5 Meaning
Exodus 9:5 declares that the Lord precisely appointed a specific time for the forthcoming plague, explicitly stating it would occur "tomorrow." This signifies God's absolute sovereignty over time and natural events, demonstrating that His judgments are not arbitrary or coincidental but are meticulously planned and executed according to His divine will. It serves as a direct, public pronouncement to Pharaoh, offering a final opportunity for acknowledgement of God's power while ensuring the certainty of His promised action.
Exodus 9 5 Context
Exodus 9:5 appears during the narrative of the Ten Plagues, specifically introducing the fifth plague: the pestilence on Egypt's livestock. Previously, Pharaoh had hardened his heart despite the preceding plagues and the warnings. This verse marks a shift, as it presents the plague with a very specific, short-term prediction: "tomorrow." Unlike previous plagues that sometimes began immediately, this pronouncement gives Pharaoh a definitive timeframe, heightening the tension and demonstrating God's meticulous planning and execution of judgment. It underscores that the impending disaster is not random, but a direct, divinely scheduled event. The historical context involves Egypt's polytheistic religion, where various deities were associated with the protection of livestock (e.g., Hathor as a cow-goddess, Apis as a sacred bull). By destroying Egypt's cattle, the Lord directly challenges the impotence of these false gods, demonstrating His unique power over life, death, and nature, providing a potent polemic against Egyptian beliefs.
Exodus 9 5 Word analysis
- And the Lord: The Hebrew term is יְהוָה (YHWH), the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal involvement, faithfulness, and sovereignty. This signifies the one true God is directly intervening, not a lesser deity or natural occurrence.
- set a set time: The Hebrew is מוֹעֵד (mo’ed), often translated as "appointed time," "fixed time," or "assembly." The repetition or emphasis here highlights the definitive, divinely appointed nature of the timing. It’s not accidental but precisely determined by God. This same word is used for God's appointed festivals (e.g., Lev 23:2, 4) and meeting places, underscoring its deliberate and sacred nature. It highlights God's sovereignty over time itself.
- saying, ‘Tomorrow: The Hebrew מָחָר (machar) means "tomorrow." This specificity and imminence of the divine action are crucial. It provides Pharaoh with undeniable evidence of God's foreknowledge and power. There is no ambiguity or extended waiting period, making the subsequent fulfillment a clear demonstration of the Lord's word. It also allows no time for doubt regarding the divine origin of the plague.
- the Lord will do this thing: Reiteration of YHWH as the agent. "This thing" refers specifically to the devastating pestilence on the Egyptian livestock mentioned in the preceding verses (Exod 9:3). It clearly attributes the impending catastrophe solely to divine intervention, dispelling any notion that it could be a natural phenomenon or a result of Egyptian magic. This phrasing directly confronts Pharaoh's stubbornness.
- in the land’: Refers specifically to the land of Egypt. This emphasizes the localized but destructive nature of the judgment, confined to the territory where Pharaoh reigned. It further distinguishes God's control, as verse 4 states the livestock of the Israelites would be spared, creating a visible separation and testament to God's selective judgment and protection.
Words-group analysis
- "And the Lord set a set time, saying": This phrase underlines divine authority and deliberate action. God doesn't merely predict; He ordains. The "set time" indicates careful planning, ensuring that the plague would not seem like a chance event but a direct, orchestrated judgment. It pre-authenticates the coming event as supernatural.
- "Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing": This combination stresses both immediacy and divine agency. The specificity of "tomorrow" removes any potential for denial or explanation by natural causes. It challenges Pharaoh to observe and acknowledge God's power within a fixed, observable timeframe. "This thing" signifies a predetermined and particular action from the Lord.
Exodus 9 5 Bonus section
The "set time" (mo’ed) is a concept frequently used in Scripture, especially in a prophetic sense, signifying God's pre-determined plans unfolding in history. The certainty and immediacy ("tomorrow") of this plague serve as a micro-cosmic illustration of God's broader historical and eschatological timings, such as the promised birth of Isaac (Gen 18:14) or the ultimate coming of the Messiah "in the fullness of time" (Gal 4:4). This verse underscores God's absolute mastery over chronology, turning what could be a general warning into an irrefutable, public demonstration of His power. It is not just about what God will do, but precisely when He will do it, enhancing the evidential weight of the miracle for all who witnessed it.
Exodus 9 5 Commentary
Exodus 9:5 is a pivotal moment preceding the fifth plague, revealing the precision of God's sovereign control over His judgments. The explicit declaration that "Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing" signifies more than a mere prediction; it's a divine appointment, meticulously timed and executed by the Almighty. This removes any ambiguity regarding the source of the plague and places Pharaoh in a position where he cannot claim ignorance or coincidence. It’s a direct challenge to his authority and to the purported power of Egyptian deities, especially those associated with cattle. God’s commitment to perform "this thing" "tomorrow" reinforces His reliability and the unwavering certainty of His word. It's a testament to His justice and His long-suffering, providing one last, concrete warning to Pharaoh, while ensuring the clear demonstration of His glory before both the Egyptians and the Israelites.