And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.

EXODUS 7:19KJV
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Exodus 7:19 (KJV)

What does Exodus 7:19 mean?

Exodus 7:19 describes God telling Moses to instruct Aaron to stretch out his staff over all the waters of Egypt, causing every body of water—streams, rivers, ponds, and pools—to turn into blood, so that there will be blood everywhere in Egypt, even in containers made of wood and stone. This act is the beginning of the first plague God sends upon Egypt.

In this verse, the LORD (God) speaks directly to Moses, who then relays the command to Aaron. The situation is the confrontation between Moses, Aaron, and Pharaoh, where God is demonstrating His power and judgment over Egypt. The verse emphasizes the totality of the plague: not just the Nile, but every source and storage of water in Egypt is affected, showing the severity and completeness of God's action.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 7:19

  • יְהוָה (YHWH, "the LORD"): This name stresses God's covenant relationship with Israel and His authority to command the events unfolding in Egypt.
  • דָּם (dam, "blood"): This word is used twice, highlighting the transformation of water into blood, not just in appearance but in substance, which would have been both shocking and devastating for the Egyptians.
  • מַטֶּה (matteh, "rod" or "staff"): The staff is a symbol of authority and power; Aaron's use of it shows that the miracle is done by God's command, not human magic.
  • יַד (yad, "hand"): Stretching out the hand is a gesture of action and control, indicating that Aaron is acting as God's agent in bringing about the plague.

Why Exodus 7:19 matters

  • Exodus 7:19 clarifies that the first plague was not limited to the Nile River but affected every kind of water source in Egypt, making the disaster inescapable for all Egyptians.
  • The verse highlights Aaron's role as the active agent, following God's instructions through Moses, which shows the partnership between Moses and Aaron in carrying out God's will.
  • By specifying that even water in vessels of wood and stone would become blood, the verse underscores the thoroughness of God's judgment and the impossibility of escaping His power.

Where else these words appear

“ponds” Hebrew H98 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 8:5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.
  • Psalms 114:8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
  • Isaiah 41:18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

“pools” Hebrew H4723 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 1:10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
  • 1 Chronicles 29:15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.
  • Jeremiah 14:8 O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

“rivers” Hebrew H2975 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 41:1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
  • Exodus 7:25 And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river.
  • Isaiah 37:25 I have digged, and drunk water; and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of the besieged places.

“streams” Hebrew H5104 · used in 109 verses

  • Genesis 2:10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
  • Ezra 8:36 And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.
  • Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.