Exodus 7:18
And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river.
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הַיְאֹֽר׃
and the river
H2975
הַיְאֹֽר׃
and the river
Strong's:
H2975
Word #:
3 of 12
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
תָּמ֖וּת
shall die
H4191
תָּמ֖וּת
shall die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
4 of 12
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וּבָאַ֣שׁ
shall stink
H887
וּבָאַ֣שׁ
shall stink
Strong's:
H887
Word #:
5 of 12
to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
הַיְאֹֽר׃
and the river
H2975
הַיְאֹֽר׃
and the river
Strong's:
H2975
Word #:
6 of 12
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
וְנִלְא֣וּ
shall lothe
H3811
וְנִלְא֣וּ
shall lothe
Strong's:
H3811
Word #:
7 of 12
to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted
מַ֖יִם
of the water
H4325
מַ֖יִם
of the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
10 of 12
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Cross References
Exodus 7:24And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.Exodus 7:21And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
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 18 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.