King James Version
What Does Psalms 78:44 Mean?
“And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.”
Psalms 78:44 · KJV
Context
42
They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy. from: or, from affliction
43
How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan: wrought: Heb. set
44
And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.
45
He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
46
He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink. The first plague (Exodus 7:14-25) attacked Egypt's lifeline—the Nile. Yĕʾōr (יְאֹר, "rivers") specifically denotes the Nile and its channels. Nōzēl (נֹזֵל, "floods") means flowing streams or tributaries. God transformed Egypt's source of life into death.
Dām (דָּם, "blood") represented both death and defilement. The plague made water undrinkable, killed fish, and created a stench—total corruption of Egypt's water supply. This directly challenged Hapi, the Nile-god Egyptians believed brought annual inundation and fertility. Yahweh demonstrated control over what Egypt worshiped.
The plague's theological significance extends beyond Egypt: blood represents life in biblical theology, and the Nile turned to blood foreshadowed the Passover blood that would bring life to Israel while bringing death to Egypt. Ultimately, it points to Christ's blood that transforms death into life for all who trust Him.
Dām (דָּם, "blood") represented both death and defilement. The plague made water undrinkable, killed fish, and created a stench—total corruption of Egypt's water supply. This directly challenged Hapi, the Nile-god Egyptians believed brought annual inundation and fertility. Yahweh demonstrated control over what Egypt worshiped.
The plague's theological significance extends beyond Egypt: blood represents life in biblical theology, and the Nile turned to blood foreshadowed the Passover blood that would bring life to Israel while bringing death to Egypt. Ultimately, it points to Christ's blood that transforms death into life for all who trust Him.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
The Nile was Egypt's everything—irrigation, transportation, fishing, and religious devotion. Annual flooding deposited nutrient-rich silt, enabling agriculture. Turning it to blood for seven days (Exodus 7:25) was ecological, economic, and theological catastrophe simultaneously.
Reflection Questions
- What "life sources" do you depend on that God might need to expose as insufficient?
- How does God challenging Egypt's false gods parallel His claim on every area of your life?
- What does the plague's severity teach about God's determination to free His people?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 6 wordsוַיַּהֲפֹ֣ךְ1 of 6
“And had turned”
H2015to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
לְ֭דָם2 of 6
“into blood”
H1818blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
יְאֹרֵיהֶ֑ם3 of 6
“their rivers”
H2975a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Psalms 78:44 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 Psalms 78:44 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge