Exodus 7:24
Exodus 7:24 in Multiple Translations
So all the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink, because they could not drink the water from the river.
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
And all the Egyptians made holes round about the Nile to get drinking-water, for they were not able to make use of the Nile water.
All the Egyptians dug alongside the Nile because they couldn't drink its water.
All the Egyptians then digged rounde about the riuer for waters to drinke: for they could not drinke of the water of the riuer.
and all the Egyptians seek water round about the river to drink, for they have not been able to drink of the waters of the River.
All the Egyptians dug around the river for water to drink; for they couldn’t drink the river water.
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
And all the Egyptians dug round about the river for water to drink: for they could not drink of the water of the river.
The Egyptians [HYP] dug into the ground near the Nile River to get water to drink, because they could not drink the water from the river.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 7:24
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 7:24 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּחְפְּר֧וּ
כָל
מִצְרַ֛יִם
סְבִיבֹ֥ת
הַ/יְאֹ֖ר
מַ֣יִם
לִ/שְׁתּ֑וֹת
כִּ֣י
לֹ֤א
יָֽכְלוּ֙
לִ/שְׁתֹּ֔ת
מִ/מֵּימֵ֖י
הַ/יְאֹֽר
וַ/יַּחְפְּר֧וּ
châphar
H2658
to search
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
כָל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
מִצְרַ֛יִם
Mitsrîy
H4713
Egyptian
N-proper
סְבִיבֹ֥ת
çâbîyb
H5439
around
N-cp
הַ/יְאֹ֖ר
yᵉʼôr
H2975
stream
Art | N-proper
מַ֣יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
N-mp
לִ/שְׁתּ֑וֹת
shâthâh
H8354
to drink
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
לֹ֤א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יָֽכְלוּ֙
yâkôl
H3201
be able
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
לִ/שְׁתֹּ֔ת
shâthâh
H8354
to drink
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
מִ/מֵּימֵ֖י
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
Prep | N-mp
הַ/יְאֹֽר
yᵉʼôr
H2975
stream
Art | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 7:24
וַ/יַּחְפְּר֧וּ
châphar
H2658
"to search"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
The Hebrew word châphar means to search or dig, often used to describe seeking something deeply. In Psalm 139:1, David asks God to search him, knowing God already knows everything. It implies a thorough examination.
Definition: 1) to dig, search for 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to dig 1a2) to search, search out, explore
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: dig, paw, search out, seek. See also: Genesis 21:30; Deuteronomy 23:14; Psalms 7:16.
כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
מִצְרַ֛יִם
Mitsrîy
H4713
"Egyptian"
N-proper
In the Bible, this word refers to an Egyptian, someone from the country of Egypt. It appears in the Old Testament, describing people from this northeastern African nation. Egyptians are mentioned in books like Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: Group of mits.ra.yim (מִצְרַ֫יִם "Egypt" H4714G) § Egyptian, of Egypt "double straits" Egyptian-an inhabitant or citizen of Egypt an Egyptian
Usage: Occurs in 67 OT verses. KJV: Egyptian, of Egypt. See also: Genesis 12:12; Exodus 8:17; Ezra 9:1.
סְבִיבֹ֥ת
çâbîyb
H5439
"around"
N-cp
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Definition: : around/border subst 1) places round about, circuit, round about adv 2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about prep 3) in the circuit, from every side
Usage: Occurs in 282 OT verses. KJV: (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. See also: Genesis 23:17; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 3:7.
הַ/יְאֹ֖ר
yᵉʼôr
H2975
"stream"
Art | N-proper
A stream or river, like the Nile, is what this word refers to. It can also mean a canal, watercourse, or even a mining shaft, emphasizing the flow of water.
Definition: 1) river, stream, canal, Nile, Nile-canal 1a) stream, river (Nile) 1b) Nile-arms, Nile-canals 1c) watercourses 1d) shafts (mining) 1e) river (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream. See also: Genesis 41:1; Psalms 78:44; Isaiah 7:18.
מַ֣יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
לִ/שְׁתּ֑וֹת
shâthâh
H8354
"to drink"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to drink, and it's used in many ways, like drinking from a cup or feasting. It's also used to describe being drunk or taking part in a big celebration. We see it in stories like the Last Supper in Matthew 26:27.
Definition: 1) to drink 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to drink 1a1a) of drinking cup of God's wrath, of slaughter, of wicked deeds (fig) 1a2) to feast 1b) (Niphal) to be drunk Aramaic equivalent: she.tah (שְׁתָה "to drink" H8355)
Usage: Occurs in 193 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of H8248 (שָׁקָה).) See also: Genesis 9:21; 2 Kings 19:24; Psalms 50:13.
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
לֹ֤א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יָֽכְלוּ֙
yâkôl
H3201
"be able"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to be able or have power, used in various contexts, such as overcoming or enduring, and is translated as 'be able' or 'have power' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be able, be able to gain or accomplish, be able to endure, be able to reach 1a2) to prevail, prevail over or against, overcome, be victor 1a3) to have ability, have strength Aramaic equivalent: ye.khel (יְכִל "be able" H3202)
Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer. See also: Genesis 13:6; 1 Kings 14:4; Psalms 13:5.
לִ/שְׁתֹּ֔ת
shâthâh
H8354
"to drink"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to drink, and it's used in many ways, like drinking from a cup or feasting. It's also used to describe being drunk or taking part in a big celebration. We see it in stories like the Last Supper in Matthew 26:27.
Definition: 1) to drink 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to drink 1a1a) of drinking cup of God's wrath, of slaughter, of wicked deeds (fig) 1a2) to feast 1b) (Niphal) to be drunk Aramaic equivalent: she.tah (שְׁתָה "to drink" H8355)
Usage: Occurs in 193 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of H8248 (שָׁקָה).) See also: Genesis 9:21; 2 Kings 19:24; Psalms 50:13.
מִ/מֵּימֵ֖י
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
Prep | N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
הַ/יְאֹֽר
yᵉʼôr
H2975
"stream"
Art | N-proper
A stream or river, like the Nile, is what this word refers to. It can also mean a canal, watercourse, or even a mining shaft, emphasizing the flow of water.
Definition: 1) river, stream, canal, Nile, Nile-canal 1a) stream, river (Nile) 1b) Nile-arms, Nile-canals 1c) watercourses 1d) shafts (mining) 1e) river (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream. See also: Genesis 41:1; Psalms 78:44; Isaiah 7:18.
Study Notes — Exodus 7:24
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The First Plague: Blood
22But the magicians of Egypt did the same things by their magic arts. So Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.
23Instead, Pharaoh turned around, went into his palace, and did not take any of this to heart.
24So all the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink, because they could not drink the water from the river.
25And seven full days passed after the LORD had struck the Nile.Exodus 7:24 Summary
In Exodus 7:24, we see that the Egyptians had to dig around the Nile for water to drink because the water in the river had become undrinkable. This was a result of the plague God had sent, and it shows us that God is in control of all things, including nature (as seen in Psalm 104:29). The Egyptians' situation can teach us to trust in God's provision and care, even when things seem difficult or impossible (see Jeremiah 32:17). By looking to God and trusting in His power, we can find comfort and strength in the midst of challenges, just like Moses and the Israelites did during this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Egyptians have to dig around the Nile for water to drink?
The Egyptians had to dig around the Nile for water to drink because the water in the river had become undrinkable, as seen in Exodus 7:24, due to the plague God had sent through Moses, as described in Exodus 7:17-21.
What was the result of Pharaoh's hardened heart in this situation?
Pharaoh's hardened heart, as mentioned in Exodus 7:22, led to the Egyptians suffering from the plague, including having to find alternative sources of drinking water, as stated in Exodus 7:24.
How long did the Egyptians have to endure this situation?
According to Exodus 7:25, the Egyptians had to endure this situation for seven full days after the LORD had struck the Nile, as a result of Pharaoh's refusal to listen to Moses and Aaron, as seen in Exodus 7:23.
What does this verse reveal about God's power and control over nature?
This verse, Exodus 7:24, demonstrates God's power and control over nature, as He was able to make the water in the Nile undrinkable, and it also points to His sovereignty, as seen in other passages like Psalm 104:29 and Jeremiah 10:13.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when God allows difficulties or hardships in my life, and what can I learn from the Egyptians' experience in Exodus 7:24?
- In what ways can I trust in God's provision and care, even when circumstances seem dire, as the Egyptians faced when they had to dig for water?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be trying to find my own solutions, rather than trusting in God's power and control, as seen in Exodus 7:24?
- How can I apply the lesson of Exodus 7:24 to my own life, and what are some ways I can demonstrate my trust in God's sovereignty and power?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 7:24
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river,.... On each side of it, in order to get clear water; and Aben Ezra thinks the Hebrews also, who were affected with this, and the two following
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 7:24
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river. All the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 7:24
It is not much material to us, whether they lost their labour, and found only blood there, as Josephus affirms; or whether they succeeded and found water there, which seems more probable, because these come not within the compass of Moses’ s commission, ,19,20, or whether they found the water something purified and less bloody, though mixed with blood. But it is observable, that though the devil could do something which might increase the plague, or imitate it, yet he could do nothing to remove it.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 7:24
Exodus 7:24 And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.Ver. 24. Digged round about.] If by drawing the waters they might purify them. But "they looked not to the Maker thereof"; they "returned not to him that smote them."
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 7:24
(24) All the Egyptians digged round about the river.—Wells may be sunk in any part of the alluvium, and will always yield water, which is, however, brackish and unpalatable. This water is, no doubt, derived by percolation from the river; but the percolation is a slow process, and blood would scarcely percolate far. The water obtained was probably in the ground before the miracle took place, and was not made subject to it.