And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S.

EXODUS 9:29KJV
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Exodus 9:29 (KJV)

What does Exodus 9:29 mean?

Exodus 9:29 shows Moses telling Pharaoh that once he leaves the city, he will pray to the LORD, and then the thunder and hail will stop, proving that the earth belongs to the LORD. Moses makes it clear that the coming end of the storm is meant to show Pharaoh God’s power and ownership over all creation.

In this moment, Moses is speaking directly to Pharaoh during the seventh plague, when Egypt is being struck by severe hail and thunder. Moses promises to ask the LORD (the God of Israel) to stop the storm, but only after he leaves the city, highlighting a separation from Egypt’s idols and a direct appeal to God. The verse emphasizes that the miraculous ending of the storm is not just for relief, but as a sign to Pharaoh that the earth is under the LORD’s authority, not Egypt’s gods.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 9:29

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of the God of Israel, used here to stress that it is Israel’s God, not Egypt’s, who controls nature.
  • earth (אֶרֶץ, erets): This word means the land or the earth, and its use here underlines that all of creation is under God’s rule, not just a local territory.
  • spread abroad (פָּרַשׂ, paras): This word describes Moses stretching out his hands in prayer, a gesture of earnest appeal and surrender, showing humility before God.

Why Exodus 9:29 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the end of the plague is not due to chance or natural causes, but a direct response to prayer, highlighting God’s control over nature.
  • It corrects any idea that Egypt’s gods or Pharaoh himself have power over the land, making it clear that the LORD alone is sovereign.
  • This verse connects to the larger story of the plagues, where each sign is meant to teach Pharaoh and Egypt about the true God’s authority and to challenge their beliefs.

Where else these words appear

“hail” Hebrew H1259 · used in 26 verses

  • Exodus 9:18 Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
  • Exodus 9:33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
  • Psalms 18:13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.

“cease” Hebrew H2308 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 11:8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
  • 1 Samuel 2:5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
  • Job 19:14 My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.

“abroad” Hebrew H6566 · used in 66 verses

  • Exodus 9:33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
  • 2 Kings 19:14 And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
  • Isaiah 33:23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.