Psalms 105:29
He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.
Original Language Analysis
הָפַ֣ךְ
He turned
H2015
הָפַ֣ךְ
He turned
Strong's:
H2015
Word #:
1 of 7
to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מֵימֵיהֶ֣ם
their waters
H4325
מֵימֵיהֶ֣ם
their waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
3 of 7
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
לְדָ֑ם
into blood
H1818
לְדָ֑ם
into blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
4 of 7
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
וַ֝יָּ֗מֶת
and slew
H4191
וַ֝יָּ֗מֶת
and slew
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
5 of 7
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Historical Context
The Nile's transformation to blood (Exod 7:14-25) was the first plague, striking at Egypt's primary water source and a deity they worshiped. This plague lasted seven days, causing severe hardship.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the plague of blood point forward to the Passover and ultimately to Christ's blood?
- What 'gods' (false sources of security) does God need to demonstrate His superiority over in your life?
Analysis & Commentary
God 'turned their waters into blood and slew their fish' - the first plague. Transforming the Nile, Egypt's lifeline, into blood demonstrated God's power over their primary resource. Killing fish destroyed food supply and made water undrinkable. This plague attacked Hapi, the Nile god, showing Yahweh's supremacy. Blood symbolized death and foreshadowed the Passover's substitutionary blood. Christ's blood brings life, not death (John 6:53-56). The Reformed emphasis on substitutionary atonement sees Passover blood pointing to Christ's blood that delivers from God's judgment.