King James Version

What Does Exodus 9:22 Mean?

Exodus 9:22 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, u... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Exodus 9:22 · KJV


Context

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.

24

So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 22 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 · 24 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 24

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה2 of 24

And the LORD

H3068

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

אֶל3 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁה4 of 24

unto Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

נְטֵ֤ה5 of 24

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)

אֶת6 of 24
H853

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

יָֽדְךָ֙7 of 24

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

עַל8 of 24
H5921

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

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם9 of 24

toward heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וִיהִ֥י10 of 24
H1961

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

בָרָ֖ד11 of 24

that there may be hail

H1259

hail

בְּכָל12 of 24
H3605

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

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ13 of 24

in all the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃14 of 24

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

עַל15 of 24
H5921

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

הָֽאָדָ֣ם16 of 24

upon man

H120

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

וְעַל17 of 24
H5921

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

הַבְּהֵמָ֗ה18 of 24

and upon beast

H929

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

וְעַ֛ל19 of 24
H5921

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

כָּל20 of 24
H3605

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

עֵ֥שֶׂב21 of 24

and upon every herb

H6212

grass (or any tender shoot)

הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה22 of 24

of the field

H7704

a field (as flat)

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ23 of 24

in all the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃24 of 24

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt


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 9:22 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 9:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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