Exodus 7:21

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהַדָּגָ֨ה
H1710
And the fish
fish
#2
אֲשֶׁר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#3
הַיְאֹ֑ר
H2975
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
מֵ֙תָה֙
H4191
died
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#5
וַיִּבְאַ֣שׁ
H887
stank
to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
#6
הַיְאֹ֑ר
H2975
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
וְלֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#8
יָכְל֣וּ
H3201
could
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
#9
מִצְרָֽיִם׃
H4714
and the Egyptians
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#10
לִשְׁתּ֥וֹת
H8354
not drink
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#11
מַ֖יִם
H4325
of the water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#12
מִן
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#13
הַיְאֹ֑ר
H2975
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
#14
וַיְהִ֥י
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#15
הַדָּ֖ם
H1818
and there was blood
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
#16
בְּכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#17
אֶ֥רֶץ
H776
throughout all the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#18
מִצְרָֽיִם׃
H4714
and the Egyptians
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

Analysis

Within the broader context of Exodus, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Exodus.

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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