Exodus 7:9

Analysis & Commentary

When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew me a miracle: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. God prepares Moses and Aaron for Pharaoh's predictable demand: Shew me a miracle (תְּנוּ לָכֶם מוֹפֵת, tenu lakhem mofet). The word mofet (מוֹפֵת) means a sign, wonder, or miracle—something that authenticates divine authority. Ancient Near Eastern courts expected prophets and magicians to demonstrate supernatural power as credentials. Pharaoh demands proof that Moses truly represents a deity worth heeding.

God's instruction specifies thou shalt say unto Aaron—Moses directs, Aaron acts. This division of roles continues the pattern established earlier (7:1-2). The command Take thy rod (קַח אֶת־מַטְּךָ, qach et-mattekha) refers to Aaron's staff, which becomes the instrument of divine power. The rod itself possesses no inherent magic—it's merely wood. But when God works through it, it becomes the tool of miracles, demonstrating that power resides in Yahweh, not in human instruments or techniques.

And it shall become a serpent (וִיהִי לְתַנִּין, vihi l'tannin) uses tannin (תַּנִּין), which can mean serpent, dragon, or large sea creature. Here it likely refers to a cobra (the uraeus that symbolized Egyptian royalty and deity). The choice of sign is theologically significant: the serpent symbol of Egyptian divine power becomes God's instrument to demonstrate Yahweh's superiority. God uses Egypt's own symbols against them, showing that He controls even what they worship.

The verse demonstrates God's omniscience—He knows Pharaoh will demand authentication before the confrontation occurs. This foreknowledge assures Moses that nothing in the coming conflict will surprise God. Every challenge has been anticipated, every response prepared. This should encourage believers: God isn't caught off-guard by opposition but has already prepared the way for His purposes to triumph (Isaiah 46:9-10).

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern kings expected supernatural signs from those claiming divine authority. Egyptian court magicians regularly performed wonders—sleight of hand, illusions, and possibly demonic manifestations—to demonstrate their gods' power and advise pharaohs. For Moses to approach Pharaoh without credentials would invite immediate dismissal. The demand "Show me a miracle" reflects standard protocol for evaluating prophetic claims.

The serpent held profound significance in Egyptian religion and iconography. The uraeus—cobra with hood extended—adorned pharaoh's crown as a symbol of sovereignty and divine protection. Wadjet, the cobra goddess, protected Lower Egypt. The serpent represented both creative and destructive divine power. By transforming Aaron's rod into a serpent, Yahweh directly challenged Egyptian theology at its symbolic core. When Aaron's serpent consumed the magicians' serpents (7:12), it visually demonstrated Yahweh's supremacy over Egypt's gods.

Jesus later faced similar demands for authenticating signs (Matthew 12:38; 16:1; John 2:18; 6:30). Like Moses, He performed signs to validate His divine mission, though He refused signs motivated by hardened unbelief. The pattern continues: God graciously provides evidence for faith while refusing to satisfy mere curiosity or prideful demands for proof on human terms. True faith believes God's Word (John 20:29), though God mercifully confirms it with signs when serving His redemptive purposes.

Questions for Reflection

• How should Christians respond when skeptics demand "proof" of God's existence or power before they'll believe?
• What does the serpent miracle teach about God using the very symbols of idolatry to demonstrate His supremacy over false gods?