King James Version

What Does Exodus 9:8 Mean?

Exodus 9:8 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it tow...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.”

Exodus 9:8 · KJV

Context

6

And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one.

7

And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.

8

And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.

9

And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.

10

And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.

Read Exodus 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 8 introduces the plague of boils (שְׁחִין, shechin—inflamed sores), targeting Sekhmet (goddess of healing) and Imhotep (god of medicine). The magicians themselves are afflicted and cannot stand before Moses. This plague physically marks Egypt's defeat.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Sekhmet was lioness goddess who both caused and healed disease. Imhotep, deified architect, became god of healing. Their inability to prevent or cure boils demonstrates YHWH's supremacy over health and disease.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the magicians' personal affliction teach about false religion's impotence?
  2. How does physical suffering sometimes reveal spiritual realities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 17

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֮2 of 17

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶל3 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֛ה4 of 17

“and let Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וְאֶֽל5 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַהֲרֹן֒6 of 17

“and unto Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

קְח֤וּ7 of 17

“Take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לָכֶם֙8 of 17
H0
מְלֹ֣א9 of 17
H4393

fulness (literally or figuratively)

חָפְנֵיכֶ֔ם10 of 17

“to you handfuls”

H2651

a fist (only in the dual)

פִּ֖יחַ11 of 17

“of ashes”

H6368

a powder (as easily puffed away), i.e., ashes or dust

כִּבְשָׁ֑ן12 of 17

“of the furnace”

H3536

a smelting furnace (as reducing metals)

וּזְרָק֥וֹ13 of 17

“sprinkle”

H2236

to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)

מֹשֶׁ֛ה14 of 17

“and let Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

הַשָּׁמַ֖יְמָה15 of 17

“it toward the 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

לְעֵינֵ֥י16 of 17

“in the sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

פַרְעֹֽה׃17 of 17

“of Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

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 9:8 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 9:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 8:16

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