Exodus 7:17
Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֚ה
H3541
כֹּ֚ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֑ה
that I am the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
that I am the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
תֵּדַ֔ע
In this thou shalt know
H3045
תֵּדַ֔ע
In this thou shalt know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
5 of 20
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֖י
H3588
כִּ֖י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֑ה
that I am the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
that I am the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מַכֶּ֣ה׀
behold I will smite
H5221
מַכֶּ֣ה׀
behold I will smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
11 of 20
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
בַּמַּטֶּ֣ה
with the rod
H4294
בַּמַּטֶּ֣ה
with the rod
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
12 of 20
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּיָדִ֗י
that is in mine hand
H3027
בְּיָדִ֗י
that is in mine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
14 of 20
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַמַּ֛יִם
upon the waters
H4325
הַמַּ֛יִם
upon the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
16 of 20
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בַּיְאֹ֖ר
which are in the river
H2975
בַּיְאֹ֖ר
which are in the river
Strong's:
H2975
Word #:
18 of 20
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
Cross References
Exodus 4:9And 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.Exodus 7:5And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.Exodus 5:2And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.Psalms 9:16The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.Ezekiel 38:23Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.Ezekiel 39:28Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.
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 17 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.