Exodus 9:5
And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֥שֶׂם
appointed
H7760
וַיָּ֥שֶׂם
appointed
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 10
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
יְהוָ֛ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מוֹעֵ֣ד
a set time
H4150
מוֹעֵ֣ד
a set time
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
מָחָ֗ר
To morrow
H4279
מָחָ֗ר
To morrow
Strong's:
H4279
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֧ה
shall do
H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֧ה
shall do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 10
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
יְהוָ֛ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַדָּבָ֥ר
this thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֥ר
this thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
8 of 10
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
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 5 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.