Exodus 9:7
And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.
Original Language Analysis
שִׁלַּ֖ח
go
H7971
שִׁלַּ֖ח
go
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 16
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מִמִּקְנֵ֥ה
of the cattle
H4735
מִמִּקְנֵ֥ה
of the cattle
Strong's:
H4735
Word #:
6 of 16
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of the Israelites
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of the Israelites
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
8 of 16
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אֶחָ֑ד
and behold there was not one
H259
אֶחָ֑ד
and behold there was not one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
וַיִּכְבַּד֙
was hardened
H3513
וַיִּכְבַּד֙
was hardened
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
10 of 16
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
לֵ֣ב
And the heart
H3820
לֵ֣ב
And the heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
11 of 16
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שִׁלַּ֖ח
go
H7971
שִׁלַּ֖ח
go
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
14 of 16
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
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 7 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.