Exodus 9:19 (KJV)

What does Exodus 9:19 mean?

Exodus 9:19 is a warning from God, delivered by Moses to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, telling them to bring their livestock and anyone in the fields into shelter because a deadly hailstorm is coming. Anyone—person or animal—left outside will be struck by the hail and die.

In this verse, God is giving the Egyptians a chance to protect themselves and their animals before the seventh plague, a devastating hailstorm. Moses is speaking on God’s behalf, urging Pharaoh and his people to act quickly by gathering (bringing in) everything they have in the fields. The verse highlights both the seriousness of the coming disaster and the opportunity for the Egyptians to respond and avoid loss.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 9:19

• "Send" (שָׁלַח, shalach): This word means to send out or dispatch, showing the urgency in Moses’ instruction for immediate action.
• "Gather" (הֵאָסֵף, he’asef): This word means to assemble or collect, emphasizing that the Egyptians must actively bring in all their livestock and people from the fields.
• "Hail" (בָּרָד, barad): This is the Hebrew word for hail, and it is unusual in the region, underlining how extraordinary and severe this plague will be.
• "Die" (מוּת, muth): This word means to die or perish, making clear the life-or-death seriousness of the warning.

Why Exodus 9:19 matters

• Exodus 9:19 shows that God’s warning is not just a threat but an act of mercy, giving the Egyptians a way to avoid disaster if they listen.
• The verse makes clear that the coming plague will affect both people and animals, stressing the totality of the judgment unless action is taken.
• This warning sets up a contrast between those who heed God’s word and are spared, and those who ignore it and suffer the consequences, a theme that continues throughout the plagues narrative.