Exodus 7:21
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הַיְאֹ֑ר
and the river
H2975
הַיְאֹ֑ר
and the river
Strong's:
H2975
Word #:
3 of 18
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
מֵ֙תָה֙
died
H4191
מֵ֙תָה֙
died
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
4 of 18
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וַיִּבְאַ֣שׁ
stank
H887
וַיִּבְאַ֣שׁ
stank
Strong's:
H887
Word #:
5 of 18
to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
הַיְאֹ֑ר
and the river
H2975
הַיְאֹ֑ר
and the river
Strong's:
H2975
Word #:
6 of 18
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
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָכְל֣וּ
could
H3201
יָכְל֣וּ
could
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
8 of 18
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
מִצְרָֽיִם׃
and the Egyptians
H4714
מִצְרָֽיִם׃
and the Egyptians
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
9 of 18
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
מַ֖יִם
of the water
H4325
מַ֖יִם
of the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
11 of 18
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַיְאֹ֑ר
and the river
H2975
הַיְאֹ֑ר
and the river
Strong's:
H2975
Word #:
13 of 18
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
וַיְהִ֥י
H1961
וַיְהִ֥י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַדָּ֖ם
and there was blood
H1818
הַדָּ֖ם
and there was blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
15 of 18
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
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 21 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.