King James Version

What Does Exodus 7:10 Mean?

Exodus 7:10 in the King James Version says “And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before ...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.”

Exodus 7:10 · KJV

Context

8

And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

9

When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.

10

And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

11

Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

12

For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: Again the formula of obedience—ka'asher tzivah YHWH (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה). The repetition from verse 6 brackets their ages (v. 7) with obedience, emphasizing that faithful response to God matters more than human qualifications.

And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Aaron, not Moses, performs the sign as God ordained (7:9). The rod (matteh, מַטֶּה) becomes a serpent (tannin, תַּנִּין)—not the common snake (nachash) of 4:3, but a great sea creature or dragon, the term used for primordial chaos monsters (Genesis 1:21, Psalm 74:13, Isaiah 27:1). In Egyptian theology, the cobra (uraeus) symbolized Pharaoh's power and divine authority, worn on the royal crown. Aaron's rod becoming a tannin challenges Egyptian cosmic order at its foundation. This sign declares: YHWH controls chaos itself; Egypt's symbols of power are nothing before Him.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Egyptian court magicians held official positions as hartummim (חַרְטֻמִּם, priest-magicians) who interpreted dreams, performed rituals, and demonstrated supernatural knowledge. Archaeological evidence from Egypt shows magical practices involving rods, incantations, and serpent manipulation. The court setting—"before Pharaoh, and before his servants"—made this a public challenge to Egyptian religious authority in the throne room itself. The distinction between tannin (cosmic serpent-dragon) and nachash (ordinary snake) is significant: the Nile god Sobek was depicted as a crocodile, and Apophis (the chaos serpent) represented forces even Egyptian gods struggled to control. Aaron's rod becoming tannin asserted YHWH's supremacy over both Egyptian magic and Egyptian theology.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the transformation of Aaron's rod into a <em>tannin</em> (not mere snake) demonstrate God's authority over cosmic forces, not just natural phenomena?
  2. What does this confrontation in Pharaoh's throne room teach about boldly demonstrating God's power in hostile environments?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיָּבֹ֨א1 of 20

“went in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מֹשֶׁ֤ה2 of 20

“And Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אַֽהֲרֹ֜ן3 of 20

“and Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

אֶל4 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פַרְעֹ֛ה5 of 20

“Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

וַיַּ֣עַשׂוּ6 of 20

“and they did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כֵ֔ן7 of 20
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר8 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוָּ֣ה9 of 20

“had commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֑ה10 of 20

“so as the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיַּשְׁלֵ֨ךְ11 of 20

“cast down”

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

אַֽהֲרֹ֜ן12 of 20

“and Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

אֶת13 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מַטֵּ֗הוּ14 of 20

“his rod”

H4294

a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),

וְלִפְנֵ֥י15 of 20

“and before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

פַרְעֹ֛ה16 of 20

“Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

וְלִפְנֵ֥י17 of 20

“and before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

עֲבָדָ֖יו18 of 20

“his servants”

H5650

a servant

וַיְהִ֥י19 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְתַנִּֽין׃20 of 20

“and it became a serpent”

H8577

a marine or land monster, i.e., sea-serpent or jackal

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 7:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 7:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 4:3Mark 16:18Luke 10:19Amos 9:3

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