King James Version

What Does Exodus 7:5 Mean?

Exodus 7:5 in the King James Version says “And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children o...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.”

Exodus 7:5 · KJV

Context

3

And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.

4

But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.

5

And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.

6

And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.

7

And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.

Read Exodus 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. This verse declares God's ultimate purpose in the plagues: His self-revelation to Egypt. The phrase shall know that I am the LORD (וְיָדְעוּ מִצְרַיִם כִּי־אֲנִי יְהוָה, veyad'u mitzrayim ki-ani Yahweh) uses yada (יָדַע), meaning to know experientially, not merely intellectually. Egypt will encounter Yahweh's reality through His powerful acts, forcing recognition of His supremacy over their gods.

The divine name Yahweh (יְהוָה, often rendered LORD) appears emphatically. This is the covenant name revealed to Moses at the burning bush (3:14-15)—"I AM THAT I AM." When God acts in history, He reveals His character and name. The Egyptians worshiped countless deities—Ra (sun), Osiris (underworld), Isis (magic), Hapi (Nile), etc.—but Yahweh alone is God. The plagues systematically demonstrated each Egyptian god's impotence, establishing Yahweh's absolute sovereignty.

When I stretch forth mine hand (בִּנְטֹתִי אֶת־יָדִי, bin'toti et-yadi) depicts God's active intervention. The outstretched hand symbolizes divine power executing judgment and salvation—the same hand that later wrote the Law on stone tablets (Deuteronomy 9:10). This anthropomorphic language makes God's invisible power visible and comprehensible. The phrase bring out the children of Israel from among them emphasizes the exodus as separation—God distinguishes His covenant people from Egypt, foreshadowing the church's calling to be separate from the world (2 Corinthians 6:17).

Theologically, this verse reveals that God's judgments serve missional purposes—even in wrath, God makes Himself known. The plagues weren't arbitrary displays of power but targeted revelations of Yahweh's character and supremacy. This anticipates the gospel age where God's judgment on sin at Calvary reveals both His justice and mercy, calling all nations to know Him (Romans 1:16-17).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The phrase "know that I am Yahweh" appears repeatedly in Exodus (6:7, 7:17, 8:22, 10:2, 14:4, 14:18, 16:12, 29:46) and throughout Scripture, especially in Ezekiel (over 70 times). This "recognition formula" establishes that God's mighty acts force acknowledgment of His reality and character. Ancient Near Eastern conquest accounts similarly emphasized that military victories demonstrated which god was supreme. However, Exodus differs—Yahweh reveals Himself not merely as stronger than other gods but as the only true God, with all others being false (Isaiah 44:6-8).

Egypt's polytheism was deeply embedded in their civilization—religion permeated government, agriculture, architecture, and daily life. For Egyptians to "know Yahweh" meant recognizing their entire worldview was false. This knowledge came through judgment: the Nile turned to blood (attacking Hapi and Osiris), darkness covered the land (attacking Ra), and the firstborn died (attacking Pharaoh's supposed divinity and the goddess Isis). Each plague was pedagogical—teaching through demonstration.

The exodus became the paradigm for how God makes Himself known: through redemptive judgment that saves His people while judging idolatry. This pattern repeats throughout biblical history—God acts, His name is made known, people respond in faith or hardness. The ultimate fulfillment comes in Christ, where God's name is revealed most fully (John 17:6, 26), and through the cross God demonstrates both justice and mercy, making Himself known to all nations (Romans 3:25-26; Philippians 2:9-11).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's purpose to make Himself known through judgment inform how we understand suffering and evil in the world?
  2. What does Egypt's forced recognition of Yahweh teach about humanity's ultimate accountability to acknowledge the true God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְיָֽדְע֤וּ1 of 15

“shall know”

H3045

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

מִצְרָ֑יִם2 of 15

“And the Egyptians”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

כִּֽי3 of 15
H3588

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

אֲנִ֣י4 of 15
H589

i

יְהוָ֔ה5 of 15

“that I am the LORD”

H3068

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

בִּנְטֹתִ֥י6 of 15

“when I stretch forth”

H5186

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

אֶת7 of 15
H853

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

יָדִ֖י8 of 15

“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

עַל9 of 15
H5921

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

מִצְרָ֑יִם10 of 15

“And the Egyptians”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְהֽוֹצֵאתִ֥י11 of 15

“and bring out”

H3318

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

אֶת12 of 15
H853

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

בְּנֵֽי13 of 15

“the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל14 of 15

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

מִתּוֹכָֽם׃15 of 15

“from among”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

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 7:5 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 7:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 14:18Exodus 7:17Exodus 8:22Exodus 3:20Exodus 14:4Exodus 8:10

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 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