Psalms 135:9
Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁלַ֤ח׀
Who sent
H7971
שָׁלַ֤ח׀
Who sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 8
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֹתֹ֣ות
tokens
H226
אֹתֹ֣ות
tokens
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
2 of 8
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
בְּתוֹכֵ֣כִי
into the midst
H8432
בְּתוֹכֵ֣כִי
into the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
4 of 8
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
Historical Context
The ten plagues systematically dismantled Egyptian religious confidence. Each plague targeted a specific deity or aspect of Egyptian life: the Nile (Hapi), frogs (Heqet), cattle (Hathor), the sun (Ra). Pharaoh himself claimed divine status as Horus incarnate, making his humiliation theologically significant. The phrase 'signs and wonders' becomes technical vocabulary for divine intervention throughout Scripture.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the signs and wonders of the Exodus point forward to Christ?
- What "signs" has God used to reveal Himself in your life?
Analysis & Commentary
The exodus narrative expands with 'tokens and wonders' (otot u'mophetim), the standard Hebrew pairing for miraculous signs. 'Otot' emphasizes their significance as indicators pointing beyond themselves; 'mophetim' stresses their extraordinary, supernatural character. The direct address 'O Egypt' rhetorically brings the ancient nation into the worshiping assembly, making the historical account vivid and immediate. Pharaoh and 'all his servants' (court officials, magicians, military) were comprehensively humiliated. Each plague demonstrated Yahweh's power over specific Egyptian deities: the Nile god, the sun god Ra, and others. These signs served dual purpose - judgment upon Egypt and revelation to Israel (and the nations) of Yahweh's incomparable power. Moses called Israel to remember these wonders perpetually (Deuteronomy 4:34-35).