King James Version

What Does Exodus 7:19 Mean?

Exodus 7:19 in the King James Version says “And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon t... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Exodus 7:19 · KJV


Context

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

20

And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.

21

And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 19 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 · 33 words
אֱמֹ֣ר1 of 33

Say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה2 of 33

And the LORD

H3068

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

אֶל3 of 33
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֗ה4 of 33

unto Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֱמֹ֣ר5 of 33

Say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶֽל6 of 33
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַהֲרֹ֡ן7 of 33

unto Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

קַ֣ח8 of 33

Take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מַטְּךָ֣9 of 33

thy rod

H4294

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

וּנְטֵֽה10 of 33

and stretch out

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

יָדְךָ֩11 of 33

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

עַל12 of 33
H5921

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

מֵֽימֵיהֶ֖ם13 of 33

of water

H4325

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

מִצְרַ֔יִם14 of 33

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

עַֽל15 of 33
H5921

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

נַהֲרֹתָ֣ם׀16 of 33

upon their streams

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

עַל17 of 33
H5921

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

יְאֹֽרֵיהֶ֣ם18 of 33

upon their rivers

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

וְעַל19 of 33
H5921

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

אַגְמֵיהֶ֗ם20 of 33

and upon their ponds

H98

a marsh; hence a rush (as growing in swamps); hence a stockade of reeds

וְעַ֛ל21 of 33
H5921

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

כָּל22 of 33
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מִקְוֵ֥ה23 of 33

and upon all their pools

H4723

something waited for, i.e., a collection, i.e., (of water) a pond, or (of men and horses) a caravan or drove

מֵֽימֵיהֶ֖ם24 of 33

of water

H4325

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

וְיִֽהְיוּ25 of 33
H1961

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

דָם֙26 of 33

and that there may be 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

וְהָ֤יָה27 of 33
H1961

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

דָם֙28 of 33

and that there may be 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

בְּכָל29 of 33
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֶ֣רֶץ30 of 33

throughout all the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֔יִם31 of 33

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וּבָֽעֵצִ֖ים32 of 33

both in vessels of wood

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

וּבָֽאֲבָנִֽים׃33 of 33

and in vessels of stone

H68

a stone


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 7:19 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 7:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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