Exodus 7:16
And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֞ה
unto him The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֞ה
unto him The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֤י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
הָֽעִבְרִים֙
of the Hebrews
H5680
הָֽעִבְרִים֙
of the Hebrews
Strong's:
H5680
Word #:
5 of 18
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
שַׁלַּח֙
go
H7971
שַׁלַּח֙
go
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
6 of 18
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
שַׁלַּח֙
go
H7971
שַׁלַּח֙
go
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
9 of 18
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַמִּ֔י
Let my people
H5971
עַמִּ֔י
Let my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
11 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְיַֽעַבְדֻ֖נִי
that they may serve
H5647
וְיַֽעַבְדֻ֖נִי
that they may serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
12 of 18
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר
me in the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר
me in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
13 of 18
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ
thou wouldest not hear
H8085
שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ
thou wouldest not hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
16 of 18
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
Cross References
Exodus 3:18And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.Exodus 9:1Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.Exodus 9:13And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.Exodus 3:12And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
Historical Context
The Nile was Egypt's lifeline, worshipped as divine. Hapi's annual flood determined Egypt's prosperity. The plague striking Egypt's water supply while Goshen remained unaffected (8:22-23) demonstrates selective judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this plague reveal God's sovereignty over creation and false gods?
- What modern 'life sources' do people trust instead of God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Verse 16 in the first plague narrative describes the Nile turning to blood. This targets Hapi, Egyptian god of the Nile, demonstrating YHWH's supremacy over Egypt's life source. The water that sustains Egypt becomes death, reversing the blessing.