Exodus 7:18

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהַדָּגָ֧ה
And the fish
fish
#2
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#3
הַיְאֹֽר׃
and the river
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
#4
תָּמ֖וּת
shall die
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#5
וּבָאַ֣שׁ
shall stink
to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
#6
הַיְאֹֽר׃
and the river
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
#7
וְנִלְא֣וּ
shall lothe
to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted
#8
מִצְרַ֔יִם
and the Egyptians
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#9
לִשְׁתּ֥וֹת
to drink
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#10
מַ֖יִם
of the water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#11
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#12
הַיְאֹֽר׃
and the river
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

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the period of Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1440-1400 BCE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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