King James Version

What Does Exodus 9:23 Mean?

Exodus 9:23 in the King James Version says “And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the gro... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Exodus 9:23 · KJV


Context

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.

25

And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 23 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 · 19 words
וַיֵּ֨ט1 of 19

stretched forth

H5186

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

מֹשֶׁ֣ה2 of 19

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶת3 of 19
H853

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

מַטֵּהוּ֮4 of 19

his rod

H4294

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

עַל5 of 19
H5921

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

הַשָּׁמַיִם֒6 of 19

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

יְהוָ֛ה7 of 19

and the LORD

H3068

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

נָתַ֤ן8 of 19

sent

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

קֹלֹת֙9 of 19

thunder

H6963

a voice or sound

בָּרָ֖ד10 of 19

and hail

H1259

hail

וַתִּ֥הֲלַךְ11 of 19

ran along

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אֵ֖שׁ12 of 19

and the fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

אֶ֥רֶץ13 of 19

upon the ground

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַיַּמְטֵ֧ר14 of 19

rained

H4305

to rain

יְהוָ֛ה15 of 19

and the LORD

H3068

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

בָּרָ֖ד16 of 19

and hail

H1259

hail

עַל17 of 19
H5921

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

אֶ֥רֶץ18 of 19

upon the ground

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃19 of 19

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 9:23 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 9:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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