Exodus 9:23
Exodus 9:23 in Multiple Translations
So Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck the earth. So the LORD rained down hail upon the land of Egypt.
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.
And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and Jehovah sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down unto the earth; and Jehovah rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
And Moses put out his rod to heaven: and the Lord sent thunder, and an ice-storm, and fire running down on the earth; the Lord sent an ice-storm on the land of Egypt.
Moses held up his staff toward heaven, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and made lightning hit the ground. This is how the Lord rained hail down on Egypt.
Then Moses stretched out his rod towarde heauen, and the Lord sent thunder and haile, and lightening vpon the ground: and the Lord caused haile to raine vpon the land of Egypt.
And Moses stretcheth out his rod towards the heavens, and Jehovah hath given voices and hail, and fire goeth towards the earth, and Jehovah raineth hail on the land of Egypt,
Moses stretched out his rod toward the heavens, and the LORD sent thunder and hail; and lightning flashed down to the earth. The LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt.
And Moses stretched forth his rod towards 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.
And Moses stretched forth his rod towards heaven, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning running along the ground: and the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
So Moses/I lifted his/my stick up toward the sky. And Yahweh sent down hail, all over the land of Egypt. There was also thunder and lightning.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 9:23
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 9:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֵּ֨ט
מֹשֶׁ֣ה
אֶת
מַטֵּ/הוּ֮
עַל
הַ/שָּׁמַיִם֒
וַֽ/יהוָ֗ה
נָתַ֤ן
קֹלֹת֙
וּ/בָרָ֔ד
וַ/תִּ֥הֲלַךְ
אֵ֖שׁ
אָ֑רְצָ/ה
וַ/יַּמְטֵ֧ר
יְהוָ֛ה
בָּרָ֖ד
עַל
אֶ֥רֶץ
מִצְרָֽיִם
וַ/יֵּ֨ט
nâṭâh
H5186
to stretch
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מֹשֶׁ֣ה
Môsheh
H4872
Moses
N-proper
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
מַטֵּ/הוּ֮
maṭṭeh
H4294
tribe
N-ms | Suff
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הַ/שָּׁמַיִם֒
shâmayim
H8064
heaven
Art | N-mp
וַֽ/יהוָ֗ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
Conj | N-proper
נָתַ֤ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
קֹלֹת֙
qôwl
H6963
voice
N-mp
וּ/בָרָ֔ד
bârâd
H1259
hail
Conj | N-ms
וַ/תִּ֥הֲלַךְ
hâlak
H1980
to go
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
אֵ֖שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
fire
N-cs
אָ֑רְצָ/ה
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs | Suff
וַ/יַּמְטֵ֧ר
mâṭar
H4305
to rain
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
יְהוָ֛ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
בָּרָ֖ד
bârâd
H1259
hail
N-ms
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
אֶ֥רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs
מִצְרָֽיִם
Mitsrayim
H4714
Egypt
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 9:23
וַ/יֵּ֨ט
nâṭâh
H5186
"to stretch"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To stretch or spread out, often used to describe physical movement, but also moral deflection, as seen in the story of Israel's decline in the book of Judges.
Definition: 1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer 1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent) 1a3) to bend, turn, incline 1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down 1a3b) to bend, bow 1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stretch out 1c2) to spread out 1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away
Usage: Occurs in 207 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. See also: Genesis 12:8; Psalms 31:3; Psalms 17:6.
מֹשֶׁ֣ה
Môsheh
H4872
"Moses"
N-proper
Moses, the Israelite leader, was born to Amram and Jochebed and led the Exodus from Egypt. He received the law from God and is considered a key figure in the Bible. Moses means 'drawn' in Hebrew.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.10; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Aaron (H0175) and Miriam (H4813); married to Zipporah (H6855); father of: Gershom (H1647) and Eliezer (H0461H); also called Manasseh at Jdg.18.30(?) § Moses = "drawn" the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus
Usage: Occurs in 704 OT verses. KJV: Moses. See also: Exodus 2:10; Exodus 13:1; Exodus 32:21.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מַטֵּ/הוּ֮
maṭṭeh
H4294
"tribe"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word can mean a tribe, like the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used to lead his people in Exodus 4:2.
Definition: : tribe 1) staff, branch, tribe 1a) staff, rod, shaft 1b) branch (of vine) 1c) tribe 1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: rod, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 38:18; Numbers 34:19; Psalms 105:16.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הַ/שָּׁמַיִם֒
shâmayim
H8064
"heaven"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for heaven or sky, it refers to the visible universe and the abode of God. It is often used in the Bible to describe the dwelling place of celestial bodies.
Definition: 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God) Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Usage: Occurs in 395 OT verses. KJV: air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s). See also: Genesis 1:1; 1 Samuel 2:10; Job 28:21.
וַֽ/יהוָ֗ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
Conj | N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
נָתַ֤ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
קֹלֹת֙
qôwl
H6963
"voice"
N-mp
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
וּ/בָרָ֔ד
bârâd
H1259
"hail"
Conj | N-ms
Hail is a sign of God's judgment in the Bible, with hailstones sometimes used as a symbol of His power. It appears in stories of destruction and chaos.
Definition: 1) hail 1a) of God's judgment (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: hail(stones). See also: Exodus 9:18; Exodus 10:15; Psalms 18:13.
וַ/תִּ֥הֲלַךְ
hâlak
H1980
"to go"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Definition: : walk/move 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to walk 1b2) to walk (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to traverse 1c2) to walk about 1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 473 OT verses. KJV: (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. See also: Genesis 2:14; Judges 4:9; 1 Kings 13:12.
אֵ֖שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
אָ֑רְצָ/ה
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs | Suff
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
וַ/יַּמְטֵ֧ר
mâṭar
H4305
"to rain"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to send rain or cause it to rain, often used to describe God's power over the weather. It appears in the Bible to describe rain, hail, or other forms of precipitation. This word is used in various contexts, including the story of Noah's flood.
Definition: 1) to rain 1a) (Niphal) to be rained on or upon 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to rain, send rain 1b2) to rain hail, send hail
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) rain (upon). See also: Genesis 2:5; Job 38:26; Psalms 11:6.
יְהוָ֛ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
בָּרָ֖ד
bârâd
H1259
"hail"
N-ms
Hail is a sign of God's judgment in the Bible, with hailstones sometimes used as a symbol of His power. It appears in stories of destruction and chaos.
Definition: 1) hail 1a) of God's judgment (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: hail(stones). See also: Exodus 9:18; Exodus 10:15; Psalms 18:13.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
אֶ֥רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
מִצְרָֽיִם
Mitsrayim
H4714
"Egypt"
N-proper
This word means Egypt, a country in northeastern Africa, and is used in the Bible to describe the land and its people. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often referring to the Nile River and the Egyptians. Egypt is an important setting for many biblical events.
Definition: § Egypt = "land of the Copts" a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows Egyptians = "double straits" adj 2) the inhabitants or natives of Egypt
Usage: Occurs in 569 OT verses. KJV: Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. See also: Genesis 10:6; Exodus 6:13; Exodus 34:18.
Study Notes — Exodus 9:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 9:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 9:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 9:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 9:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 9:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 9:23
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 9:23
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 9:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 9:23
- Sermons on Exodus 9:23
Context — The Seventh Plague: Hail
21but those who disregarded the word of the LORD left their servants and livestock in the field.
22Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt—on man and beast and every plant of the field throughout the land of Egypt.”
23So Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck the earth. So the LORD rained down hail upon the land of Egypt.
24The hail fell and the lightning continued flashing through it. The hail was so severe that nothing like it had ever been seen in all the land of Egypt from the time it became a nation. 25Throughout the land of Egypt, the hail struck down everything in the field, both man and beast; it beat down every plant of the field and stripped every tree.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 18:13 | The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded— hailstones and coals of fire. |
| 2 | Joshua 10:11 | As they fled before Israel along the descent from Beth-horon to Azekah, the LORD cast down on them large hailstones from the sky, and more of them were killed by the hailstones than by the swords of the Israelites. |
| 3 | Isaiah 30:30 | And the LORD will cause His majestic voice to be heard and His mighty arm to be revealed, striking in angry wrath with a flame of consuming fire, and with cloudburst, storm, and hailstones. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 38:22 | I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. |
| 5 | Psalms 148:8 | lightning and hail, snow and clouds, powerful wind fulfilling His word, |
| 6 | Psalms 78:47–48 | He killed their vines with hailstones and their sycamore-figs with sleet. He abandoned their cattle to the hail and their livestock to bolts of lightning. |
| 7 | Revelation 8:7 | Then the first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass. |
| 8 | Psalms 77:18 | Your thunder resounded in the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. |
| 9 | Psalms 29:3 | The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is heard over many waters. |
| 10 | Psalms 105:32–33 | He gave them hail for rain, with lightning throughout their land. He struck their vines and fig trees and shattered the trees of their country. |
Exodus 9:23 Summary
Exodus 9:23 shows us that God is all-powerful and can control the weather and natural world to accomplish His plans, just like He did when He sent hail, thunder, and lightning upon Egypt. This event was a demonstration of God's judgment upon Egypt for not listening to Him, similar to what is described in Romans 1:18-20. By trusting in God's power and authority, we can have confidence in His ability to guide and protect us, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Matthew 6:25-34. This verse reminds us to trust in God's sovereignty over all things, including the natural world, and to obey His commands, just as Moses did when he stretched out his staff toward heaven.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the significance of Moses stretching out his staff toward heaven in Exodus 9:23?
Moses' action was an act of obedience to God's command, and it demonstrated his faith in God's power to bring judgment upon Egypt, as seen in Exodus 9:22 and Exodus 4:2-5 where God first gave Moses the staff.
Why did God send thunder, hail, and lightning in Exodus 9:23?
God sent these elements as a judgment upon Egypt for their refusal to let the Israelites go, as stated in Exodus 9:1 and Exodus 9:13-14, and to demonstrate His power and authority over creation, similar to what is described in Psalm 29:3-9 and Job 37:2-6.
How does Exodus 9:23 relate to the concept of God's sovereignty over nature?
This verse shows that God is in control of the natural world and can use it to accomplish His purposes, as also seen in Psalm 135:6-7 and Jeremiah 10:13, where God's control over the weather is highlighted.
What can we learn from the phrase 'the LORD rained down hail upon the land of Egypt' in Exodus 9:23?
This phrase emphasizes God's direct involvement in the judgment, similar to what is described in Isaiah 30:30, where God's power is demonstrated through the use of hail, fire, and flame, showing His active role in human history and the natural world.
Reflection Questions
- How does the image of Moses stretching out his staff toward heaven challenge or inspire my own faith and obedience to God's commands?
- In what ways can I see God's power and authority at work in the world around me, and how should this impact my daily life and decisions?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's sovereignty and control, just as the Israelites had to trust in His power to deliver them from Egypt?
- How does the concept of God's judgment, as seen in Exodus 9:23, relate to my understanding of God's love and mercy, as described in John 3:16 and Romans 5:8?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 9:23
And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven,.... The same which Aaron had made use of before, but was now in the hand of Moses, and whose rod it properly was: and the Lord sent thunder and hail,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 9:23
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 9:23
The fire ran along upon the ground, devouring both herbs and cattle which were upon it, ,48 105:32,33
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 9:23
Exodus 9:23 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.Ver. 23. And the fire ran along upon the ground.] Such "hailstones and coals of fire" we also read of in Psalms 18:13-15 Isaiah 30:30-31; and in the Roman history, when Marcus Antonius the philosopher fought with the Quades, and by the prayers of the thundering legion - κεραυνοβολος, as they were afterwards called - of the Christians, rain was obtained to the refreshing of the Roman army, ingens grando compluraque fulmina in hostes ceciderunt: Itaque licebat videre in eodem loco aquam ignemque simul de coelo cadere, atque ob eam causam, Romanos valere ac bibere. Quados exuri et penitus interire. i.e., A huge hail and many lightening bolts fell upon the enemy; fire and water fell at once from heaven; the Romans drank of the water and were relieved; the Quades were burnt by the fire, and perished. Dio, in Vita M. Ant. Phil.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 9:23
(23) The fire ran along upon the ground.—Heb., fire walked earthwards. Kalisch and Knobel understand by this mere ordinary lightning, but Aben-Ezra, Canon Cook, and others think that the phenomenon was such as our Version well expresses. There is no doubt that the electric fluid occasionally takes a form which has something of permanency, continuing several seconds, or even minutes, either stationary or with a slow motion. Appearances of this kind have been called “fire-balls,” and indicate an excessive electrical disturbance, involving great peril to life and property. If the expression “fire walked earthwards” does not imply anything of this kind, yet the peculiar phrase of Exo 9:24 would seem to do so.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 9:23
Verse 23. The Lord sent thunder] קלת koloth, voices; but loud, repeated peals of thunder are meant. And the fire ran along upon the ground] ותהלך אש ארצה vattihalac esh aretsah, and the fire walked upon the earth. It was not a sudden flash of lightning, but a devouring fire, walking through every part, destroying both animals and vegetables; and its progress was irresistible.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 9:23
13–35. The seventh plague. The hail. From J, with short passages, probably, from E. 13, 17–18. The announcement of the plague: cf. Exodus 8:1-3; Exodus 8:20-23, Exodus 9:1-4.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 9:23
SEVENTH PLAGUE — THE HAIL, Exodus 9:13-35. The third triad of judgments is introduced with unusual formality and solemnity. Pharaoh was now a “vessel of wrath,” fit only for destruction. See note on Exodus 9:12.
Sermons on Exodus 9:23
| Sermon | Description | |
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Rekindling Holy Fire by Ralph Sexton | In this sermon, the preacher shares a powerful testimony of a man named Harold who was paralyzed but found joy and purpose in his life through his faith in God. Despite his physica |
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In the Midst of a Miracle by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that we may be in the midst of a miracle without realizing it, as we often feel discouraged when we see no evidence of God's work. He draws from Psalm 18 |
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Testimonies From Asia Harvest 05 by Paul Hattaway | In the video, the eyewitnesses describe the arrival of Major Thomas to the village of Sendinu. The villagers were instructed to greet him by shaking his hand and singing hymns as t |
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Joshua Leading the People in God's Victory by Bob Hoekstra | Bob Hoekstra preaches on the importance of fully yielding to the Lord as the divine Commander in our battles, just as Joshua did before the first battle at Jericho. Joshua's encoun |
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The Tribulation, and Those Who Are to Pass Through It. by William Kelly | William Kelly preaches about the great tribulation, emphasizing the distinction between the tribulation that the Christian must endure in this world and the specific trouble at the |
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Fire, and Hail; Snow and Vapours; Stormy Wind Fulfilling His Word by John Calvin | John Calvin preaches about the sovereignty of God over nature, emphasizing how elements like hail, snow, storms, and winds all fulfill God's word and are under His control. He high |
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(Isaiah) Judgment and Praise in the Great Tribulation by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the scene of judgment and the distinction between the fate of the wicked and the righteous. The wicked will face destruction and desolation, |