Exodus 7:17 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

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

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

This is what the LORD says: 'By this you will know that I am the LORD: Look, I will strike the waters of the river with the staff that is in my hand, and the water will turn to blood.'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

God is telling Pharaoh that He will turn the Nile River to blood as proof of His divine power and identity.

📚 Historical Context

This verse occurs during Moses and Aaron's confrontation with Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. The Nile River was considered sacred to the Egyptians and was central to their survival and religious beliefs. This would be the first of ten plagues God would send upon Egypt to demonstrate His power over their gods and force Pharaoh to let His people go.

Explore Similar Verses

Exodus 17:5

And the LORD said to Moses, 'Go ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you. Take your staff in your hand—the same one you used to strike the river—and go.'

1 Kings 14:15

For the LORD will strike Israel, like a reed that shakes back and forth in the water, and he will uproot Israel from this good land that he gave to their ancestors, and will scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their sacred groves, making the LORD angry.

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📚 Historical Context

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