King James Version

What Does Exodus 7:15 Mean?

Exodus 7:15 in the King James Version says “Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.

Exodus 7:15 · KJV


Context

13

And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

14

And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.

15

Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.

16

And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.

17

Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 15 in the first plague narrative describes the Nile turning to blood. This targets Hapi, Egyptian god of the Nile, demonstrating YHWH's supremacy over Egypt's life source. The water that sustains Egypt becomes death, reversing the blessing.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Nile was Egypt's lifeline, worshipped as divine. Hapi's annual flood determined Egypt's prosperity. The plague striking Egypt's water supply while Goshen remained unaffected (8:22-23) demonstrates selective judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this plague reveal God's sovereignty over creation and false gods?
  2. What modern 'life sources' do people trust instead of God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
לֵ֣ךְ1 of 18
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אֶל2 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פַּרְעֹ֞ה3 of 18

thee unto Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

בַּבֹּ֗קֶר4 of 18

in the morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

הִנֵּה֙5 of 18
H2009

lo!

יֹצֵ֣א6 of 18

lo he goeth out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

הַמַּ֔יְמָה7 of 18

unto the water

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וְנִצַּבְתָּ֥8 of 18

and thou shalt stand

H5324

to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)

לִקְרָאת֖וֹ9 of 18

against he come

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

עַל10 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שְׂפַ֣ת11 of 18

brink

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

הַיְאֹ֑ר12 of 18

by the river's

H2975

a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m

וְהַמַּטֶּ֛ה13 of 18

and the rod

H4294

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

אֲשֶׁר14 of 18
H834

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

נֶהְפַּ֥ךְ15 of 18

which was turned

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

לְנָחָ֖שׁ16 of 18

to a serpent

H5175

a snake (from its hiss)

תִּקַּ֥ח17 of 18

shalt thou take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

בְּיָדֶֽךָ׃18 of 18

in thine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v


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 7:15 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 7:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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