King James Version

What Does Exodus 9:19 Mean?

Exodus 9:19 in the King James Version says “Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.

Exodus 9:19 · KJV


Context

17

As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?

18

Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.

19

Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.

20

He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:

21

And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field. regarded: Heb. set not his heart unto


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 19 describes the plague of hail with fire, targeting Nut (sky goddess) and Seth (storm god). This unprecedented storm combines hail and fire, destroying crops and livestock left in fields. God reveals 'there is none like me in all the earth' (v.14).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Nut, sky goddess, arched over earth as protective dome. Seth controlled storms and chaos. The storm's supernatural nature—fire and ice together—proves divine origin. Only those who 'feared the word of the LORD' (v.20) saved their livestock.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use creation to reveal His power?
  2. What does the response of God-fearing Egyptians (v.20) teach about individual faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְעַתָּ֗ה1 of 23
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

שְׁלַ֤ח2 of 23

Send

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

הָעֵז֙3 of 23

therefore now and gather

H5756

to be strong; causatively, to strengthen, i.e., (figuratively) to save (by flight)

אֶֽת4 of 23
H853

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

מִקְנְךָ֔5 of 23

thy cattle

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

וְאֵ֛ת6 of 23
H853

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

כָּל7 of 23
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר8 of 23
H834

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

לְךָ֖9 of 23
H0
בַשָּׂדֶ֗ה10 of 23

and all that thou hast in the field

H7704

a field (as flat)

כָּל11 of 23
H3605

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

הָֽאָדָ֨ם12 of 23

for upon every man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וְהַבְּהֵמָ֜ה13 of 23

and beast

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

אֲשֶֽׁר14 of 23
H834

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

יִמָּצֵ֣א15 of 23

which shall be found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בַשָּׂדֶ֗ה16 of 23

and all that thou hast in the field

H7704

a field (as flat)

וְלֹ֤א17 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יֵֽאָסֵף֙18 of 23

and shall not be brought

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

הַבַּ֔יְתָה19 of 23

home

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וְיָרַ֧ד20 of 23

shall come down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

עֲלֵהֶ֛ם21 of 23
H5921

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

הַבָּרָ֖ד22 of 23

the hail

H1259

hail

וָמֵֽתוּ׃23 of 23

upon them and they shall die

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill


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 9:19 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 9:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study