Exodus 9:10
And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקְח֞וּ
And they took
H3947
וַיִּקְח֞וּ
And they took
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
1 of 17
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיַּֽעַמְדוּ֙
and stood
H5975
וַיַּֽעַמְדוּ֙
and stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
5 of 17
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֹת֛וֹ
H853
אֹת֛וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַשָּׁמָ֑יְמָה
it up toward heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמָ֑יְמָה
it up toward heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
11 of 17
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
12 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
פֹּרֵ֕חַ
breaking forth
H6524
פֹּרֵ֕חַ
breaking forth
Strong's:
H6524
Word #:
15 of 17
to break forth as a bud, i.e., bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as extending the wings); figuratively, to flourish
Historical Context
Sekhmet was lioness goddess who both caused and healed disease. Imhotep, deified architect, became god of healing. Their inability to prevent or cure boils demonstrates YHWH's supremacy over health and disease.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the magicians' personal affliction teach about false religion's impotence?
- How does physical suffering sometimes reveal spiritual realities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Verse 10 introduces the plague of boils (שְׁחִין, shechin—inflamed sores), targeting Sekhmet (goddess of healing) and Imhotep (god of medicine). The magicians themselves are afflicted and cannot stand before Moses. This plague physically marks Egypt's defeat.