Exodus 9:3
Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.
Original Language Analysis
יַד
Behold the hand
H3027
יַד
Behold the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
2 of 15
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
יְהוָ֜ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הוֹיָ֗ה
is
H1961
הוֹיָ֗ה
is
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
4 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּמִקְנְךָ֙
upon thy cattle
H4735
בְּמִקְנְךָ֙
upon thy cattle
Strong's:
H4735
Word #:
5 of 15
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בַּבָּקָ֖ר
upon the oxen
H1241
בַּבָּקָ֖ר
upon the oxen
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
11 of 15
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
וּבַצֹּ֑אן
and upon the sheep
H6629
וּבַצֹּ֑אן
and upon the sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
12 of 15
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
Cross References
Exodus 7:4But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.Acts 13:11And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
Historical Context
Apis bull represented Ptah's fertility and strength. Hathor, cow goddess, symbolized motherhood and music. Egyptians worshipped cattle as sacred; their death struck at core religious identity while demonstrating YHWH's power over life.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's precise timing demonstrate His sovereignty?
- What idols masquerading as 'life-givers' has God exposed in your experience?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Verse 3 describes the plague on livestock, targeting Apis bull cult and Hathor cow goddess. God strikes Egyptian livestock while Israelite animals remain healthy. The 'set time' (מוֹעֵד, moed—appointed time) emphasizes God's sovereignty over timing.