Exodus 4:9
And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֡ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֡ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 25
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 25
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַֽאֲמִ֡ינוּ
And it shall come to pass if they will not believe
H539
יַֽאֲמִ֡ינוּ
And it shall come to pass if they will not believe
Strong's:
H539
Word #:
4 of 25
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
גַּם֩
H1571
גַּם֩
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
5 of 25
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
הָֽאֹת֜וֹת
signs
H226
הָֽאֹת֜וֹת
signs
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
7 of 25
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשְׁמְעוּן֙
neither hearken
H8085
יִשְׁמְעוּן֙
neither hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
10 of 25
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
תִּקַּ֣ח
that thou shalt take
H3947
תִּקַּ֣ח
that thou shalt take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
12 of 25
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
הַמַּ֙יִם֙
land and the water
H4325
הַמַּ֙יִם֙
land and the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
13 of 25
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
הַיְאֹ֔ר
of the river
H2975
הַיְאֹ֔ר
of the river
Strong's:
H2975
Word #:
14 of 25
a 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
וְשָֽׁפַכְתָּ֖
and pour
H8210
וְשָֽׁפַכְתָּ֖
and pour
Strong's:
H8210
Word #:
15 of 25
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
וְהָי֤וּ
H1961
וְהָי֤וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
17 of 25
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַמַּ֙יִם֙
land and the water
H4325
הַמַּ֙יִם֙
land and the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
18 of 25
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּקַּ֣ח
that thou shalt take
H3947
תִּקַּ֣ח
that thou shalt take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
20 of 25
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
21 of 25
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַיְאֹ֔ר
of the river
H2975
הַיְאֹ֔ר
of the river
Strong's:
H2975
Word #:
22 of 25
a 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
וְהָי֥וּ
H1961
וְהָי֥וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
23 of 25
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
The Nile was sacred to Egypt—source of life, irrigation, transportation, and associated with gods like Hapi (Nile god) and Osiris. Turning it to blood was theological warfare, showing YHWH's supremacy. The first plague would be this sign writ large—all Egypt's waters turned to blood (7:19-21). The contrast between death (blood) and life (water) symbolizes the choice between YHWH and false gods.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the water-to-blood sign demonstrate God's power over both natural resources and the spiritual forces nations trust in?
- What 'Nile rivers'—sources of life and security—does God call you to recognize as under His sovereign control, not autonomous powers?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land (וְהָיָה אִם־לֹא יַאֲמִינוּ גַּם לִשְׁנֵי הָאֹתוֹת הָאֵלֶּה וְלֹא יִשְׁמְעוּן לְקֹלֶךָ וְלָקַחְתָּ מִמֵּימֵי הַיְאֹר וְשָׁפַכְתָּ הַיַּבָּשָׁה וְהָיוּ הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר תִּקַּח מִן־הַיְאֹר וְהָיוּ לְדָם בַּיַּבָּשֶׁת)—The third sign: water... shall become blood. The river (הַיְאֹר, haye'or)—the Nile, Egypt's lifeline and deity. Turning Nile water to blood attacks Egypt's chief god and foreshadows the first plague (7:17-21). Blood represents death, judgment, and God's sovereignty over nature and false gods. This sign escalates from personal (rod/leprosy) to national/environmental judgment. If Israel remains skeptical after three signs, they're beyond reasonable doubt into willful unbelief. The blood sign previews the plagues' ultimate purpose: demonstrating YHWH's supremacy over all Egyptian deities.