Exodus-Chap-7-1-29

-hebraicstudies.net-

Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים Mo’a’dim - Feasts!

Re Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2“Mechon-Mamre.org (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org (SEF), three brilliant versions, although JPS-1917 is my preferred version!

Colour coded details of our beloved TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

YYYYYYY

Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

YYYYYYY

 “Exodus Chapter 7:1-29

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:
Exodus Chapter 7 marks the commencement of the great struggle between the Almighty and the gods of Egypt. After the initial failures and genealogies of the previous chapters, the stage is now set. In this section, the “uncircumcised lips” of Moses are no longer an obstacle;
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) establishes a new hierarchy where Moses functions as a divine representative to Pharaoh, and Aaron acts as his prophet. This chapter transitions from verbal warnings to the first of the “Mighty Acts” the supernatural credentials and the first of the Ten Plagues.

YYYYYYY

Below are the verses from Exodus Chapter 7, verses 1 to 29: with Explanations located directly below the verses.

1. “And יְהוָה - the LORD said unto Moses: ‘See, I have set thee in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s stead to Pharaoh; and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.

2. Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.

Explanations: Verses 1-2: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim redefines the roles. Moses is made “in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s stead” (Elohim) to Pharaoh, meaning he carries the authority of a judge and lawgiver. Aaron is his “prophet”, the one who vocalises the divine decree.

3. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt.

4. But Pharaoh will not hearken unto you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and bring forth My hosts, My people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt, by great judgments.

5. And the Egyptians shall know that I am יְהוָה - the LORD, when I stretch forth My hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them’.

Explanations: Verses 3-5: The “hardening of Pharaoh’s heart” is introduced not as a removal of free will, but as a strengthening of Pharaoh’s existing stubbornness so that the “signs and wonders” can be fully displayed. This ensures the Egyptians will ultimately know that “I am יְהוָה - the LORD”.

6. And Moses and Aaron did so; as יְהוָה - the LORD commanded them, so did they.

7. And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spoke unto Pharaoh.

Explanations: Verses 6-7: A note on their ages, Moses is 80 and Aaron is 83. This underscores their maturity and the long period of preparation required for this mission.

8. And יְהוָה - the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying:

9. ‘When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying: Show a wonder for you; then thou shalt say unto Aaron: Take thy rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent’.

10. And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so, as יְהוָה - the LORD had commanded; and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

11. Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers; and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did in like manner with their secret arts.

12. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents; but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.

13. And Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as יְהוָה - the LORD had spoken.

Explanations: Verses 8-13: The “Miracle of the Rod”. Aaron’s rod becomes tannin (serpent). While the Egyptian magicians replicate the feat through “secret arts”, Aaron’s rod swallows theirs a clear visual metaphor that  אֱלֹהִים- Elohims power will eventually consume the power of Egypt.

14. And יְהוָה - the LORD said unto Moses: ‘Pharaoh’s heart is stubborn, he refuseth to let the people go’.

15. Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river’s brink to meet him; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thy hand.

16. And thou shalt say unto him: ‘יְהוָה - the LORD, the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of the Hebrews, hath sent me unto thee, saying: Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness; and, behold, hitherto thou hast not hearkened;

17. thus saith יְהוָה - the LORD: In this thou shalt know that I am יְהוָה - the LORD, behold, I will smite with the rod that is in my hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.

18. And the fish that are in the river shall die, and the river shall become foul; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink water from the river’.

Explanations: Verses 14-18: The warning of the first plague. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim targets the Nile, which the Egyptians worshipped as a deity (Hapi). By turning it to blood, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is not just performing a trick; He is executing judgment on the source of Egypt's life and economy.

19. And יְהוָה - the LORD said unto Moses: ‘Say unto Aaron: Take thy rod, and stretch out thy hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, over their streams, and over their pools, and over all their ponds of water, that they may become blood; and there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone’.

20. And Moses and Aaron did so, as יְהוָה - the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.

21. And the fish that were in the river died; and the river became foul, and the Egyptians could not drink water from the river; and the blood was throughout all the land of Egypt.

Explanations: Verses 19-21: The strike occurs. It is not just the river, but all the “canals, pools, and ponds” throughout Egypt. The death of the fish and the foul smell represent the total corruption of Egypt's most sacred resource.

22. And the magicians of Egypt did in like manner with their secret arts; and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as יְהוָה - the LORD had spoken.

23. And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he lay even this to heart.

24. And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.

Explanations: Verses 22-24: The magicians manage to mimic the plague on a small scale, which Pharaoh uses as an excuse to “not lay even this to heart”. The Egyptians are forced to dig around the river for water, highlighting their sudden, desperate vulnerability.

25. And seven days were fulfilled, after that יְהוָה - the LORD had smitten the river.

Explanations: Verse 25: The “seven days mention signifies a complete cycle of time, showing that the plague was not a momentary event but a sustained period of suffering.

26. And יְהוָה - the LORD spoke unto Moses: ‘Go in unto Pharaoh, and say unto him: Thus saith יְהוָה - the LORD: Let My people go, that they may serve Me.

27. And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs.

28. And the river shall swarm with frogs, which shall go up and come into thy house, and into thy bed-chamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneading-troughs.

29. And the frogs shall come up both upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants’”.

Explanations: Verses 26-29: The warning of the Second Plague-the Frogs. If Pharaoh refuses to listen, the very river he relies on will “swarm” with life that becomes a nuisance, invading his most private spaces: his bedchamber, his ovens, and his kneading-troughs.

YYYYYYY

My Closing Message:

Chapter 7 illustrates the danger of the “hardened heart”. Pharaoh’s refusal to acknowledge אֱלֹהִים - Elohim even when his own life-source (the Nile) was turned to blood shows how pride can blind one to the most obvious truths. However, for the faithful, this chapter is a testament to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s patience and meticulous planning. He targeted the very things the Egyptians worshipped to show that He alone is the Master of Nature. It reminds us that when we face our own “Pharaohs”, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim provides the authority, the partnership, and the power to overcome!

YYYYYYY

Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located down the page!

This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hostsMal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

YYYYYYY

“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”,

For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָהthe LORD of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and regular בְּרָכָה Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

 

 

Enter ... 

http://www.hebraicstudies.net/Site-Index.htm

 

Enter ... 

https://www.hebraicstudies.net

 

 

 

 

-hebraicstudies.net-

 

 

 

Email the Rabbi

 

RBA@hebraicstudies.net

 

If the email link does not open - You can also copy the link and use it.

 

Although the author does not believe in having to copyright “Hebraic Studies” commenced in the mid 1980’,

but there have been occasions where there parts of his studies have been taken and quoted out of context

under my name, and thus he has been misquoted by those who have their own reasons for doing so.

Thus, it is only for this reason these works are fully covered under strict ...

Copyright © 2025 - “Hebraic Studies” - All rights reserved.