Exodus 9:4
And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בֵּ֚ין
H996
בֵּ֚ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
3 of 14
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
מִקְנֵ֣ה
and the cattle
H4735
מִקְנֵ֣ה
and the cattle
Strong's:
H4735
Word #:
4 of 14
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וּבֵ֖ין
H996
וּבֵ֖ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
6 of 14
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
מִקְנֵ֣ה
and the cattle
H4735
מִקְנֵ֣ה
and the cattle
Strong's:
H4735
Word #:
7 of 14
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָמ֛וּת
die
H4191
יָמ֛וּת
die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
10 of 14
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
מִכָּל
H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לִבְנֵ֥י
of all that is the children's
H1121
לִבְנֵ֥י
of all that is the children's
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
12 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
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
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Analysis & Commentary
Verse 4 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.