King James Version

What Does Exodus 9:21 Mean?

Exodus 9:21 in the King James Version says “And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field. regarded: Heb. set not his ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Exodus 9:21 · KJV


Context

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

22

And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.

23

And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 21 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 · 13 words
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר1 of 13
H834

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

לֹא2 of 13
H3808

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

שָׂ֛ם3 of 13

And he that regarded

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לִבּ֖וֹ4 of 13
H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

אֶל5 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דְּבַ֣ר6 of 13

not the word

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יְהוָ֑ה7 of 13

of the LORD

H3068

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

וַֽיַּעֲזֹ֛ב8 of 13

left

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

אֶת9 of 13
H853

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

עֲבָדָ֥יו10 of 13

his servants

H5650

a servant

וְאֶת11 of 13
H853

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

מִקְנֵ֖הוּ12 of 13

and his cattle

H4735

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

בַּשָּׂדֶֽה׃13 of 13

in the field

H7704

a field (as flat)


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 9:21 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 9:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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