King James Version

What Does Exodus 7:17 Mean?

Exodus 7:17 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Exodus 7:17 · KJV

Context

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.

18

And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river.

19

And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone. pools: Heb. gathering of their waters

Read Exodus 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 17 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 · 20 words
כֹּ֚ה1 of 20
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר2 of 20

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֑ה3 of 20

“that I am the LORD”

H3068

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

בְּזֹ֣את4 of 20
H2063

this (often used adverb)

תֵּדַ֔ע5 of 20

“In this thou shalt know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּ֖י6 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֣י7 of 20
H589

i

יְהוָ֑ה8 of 20

“that I am the LORD”

H3068

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

הִנֵּ֨ה9 of 20
H2009

lo!

אָֽנֹכִ֜י10 of 20
H595

i

מַכֶּ֣ה׀11 of 20

“behold I will smite”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בַּמַּטֶּ֣ה12 of 20

“with the rod”

H4294

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

אֲשֶׁר13 of 20
H834

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

בְּיָדִ֗י14 of 20

“that is in mine 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

עַל15 of 20
H5921

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

הַמַּ֛יִם16 of 20

“upon the waters”

H4325

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר17 of 20
H834

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

בַּיְאֹ֖ר18 of 20

“which are in the river”

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

וְנֶֽהֶפְכ֥וּ19 of 20

“and they shall be turned”

H2015

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

לְדָֽם׃20 of 20

“to blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

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 7:17 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 7:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 4:9Exodus 7:5Exodus 5:2Ezekiel 39:28Ezekiel 38:23Psalms 9:16

Places in This Verse

NileRiver · Modern: Nile River · 31.47°N, 30.37°E45 verses across 9 books
View all places in Exodus 7 →

Test Your Knowledge

Exodus 7 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterExodus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Exodus 7 with CommentaryAll Exodus ChaptersComplete Exodus QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes