Exodus / Chapter 9

Exodus 9

35 verses • Westminster Leningrad Codex 1 tradition available

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Three more plagues strike Egypt — livestock pestilence, boils, and devastating hail. The distinction between Israel and Egypt intensifies. Pharaoh confesses 'The LORD is in the right' but hardens again once the hail stops.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

The verb chazaq ('hold fast') in v2 describes Pharaoh's grip on Israel using the same root as the hardening of his heart — he grips the people the way his heart grips its stubbornness. Pharaoh's confession in v27 ('The LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked') is the most theologically accurate statement any antagonist makes in the entire plague narrative, yet it produces no lasting change. The hail plague introduces a new element: Egyptians who 'feared the word of the LORD' (v20) could save their servants and livestock — individual Egyptians begin responding to what Pharaoh refuses.

Translation Friction

The word dever ('pestilence,' v3) targeting livestock posed the question of scope — 'all the livestock of Egypt died' (v6) yet later plagues still affect Egyptian animals. We retained 'all' as the Hebrew has kol, noting in our translator notes that the severity is the point, with kol likely indicating totality within the category of livestock left in the field. The phrase kaved lev Par'oh ('Pharaoh's heart was heavy,' v7) we rendered with 'heavy' to track the kaved root consistently.

Connections

The pestilence on livestock targets animals associated with Egyptian deities (Hathor, Apis). Pharaoh's confession in v27 echoes the language of Deuteronomy 32:4. The hail as 'fire flashing' (v24) anticipates the theophany imagery at Sinai (19:16-18). God's purpose statement in v16 ('to show you My power') is cited by Paul in Romans 9:17. **Tradition comparisons:** The Samaritan Pentateuch shows 2 moderate variant(s) in this chapter. See the [Samaritan Pentateuch](/samaritan-pentateuch/exodus).

Exodus 9:1

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה בֹּ֖א אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֑ה וְדִבַּרְתָּ֣ אֵלָ֗יו כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הָֽעִבְרִ֔ים שַׁלַּ֥ח אֶת־עַמִּ֖י וְיַֽעַבְדֻֽנִי׃

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews: Let My people go, so that they may serve Me.

KJV Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The fifth plague opens with the established formula, reinforcing the cumulative weight of repeated demand and refusal.

Samaritan Pentateuch (4th c. BCE divergence)moderate

"(Expanded with fulfillment report)"

The livestock plague receives the same harmonistic treatment. SP's expansions in Exodus 7-12 total several hundred words of additional text.

Exodus 9:2

כִּ֛י אִם־מָאֵ֥ן אַתָּ֖ה לְשַׁלֵּ֑חַ וְעוֹדְךָ֖ מַחֲזִ֥יק בָּֽם׃

For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them,

KJV For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. 'Still hold them' (od machaziq bahem) — the verb chazaq ('hold fast, grip') is from the same root as the hardening of Pharaoh's heart. He grips Israel the way his heart grips its stubbornness.

Samaritan Pentateuch (4th c. BCE divergence)moderate

"(Expanded with fulfillment report)"

The livestock plague receives the same harmonistic treatment. SP's expansions in Exodus 7-12 total several hundred words of additional text.

Exodus 9:3

הִנֵּ֨ה יַד־יְהֹוָ֜ה הוֹיָ֗ה בְּמִקְנְךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה בַּסּוּסִ֤ים בַּֽחֲמֹרִים֙ בַּגְּמַלִּ֔ים בַּבָּקָ֖ר וּבַצֹּ֑אן דֶּ֖בֶר כָּבֵ֥ד מְאֹֽד׃

the hand of the LORD will fall on your livestock in the field — on the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks — with a very severe pestilence.

KJV Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The pestilence (dever) strikes livestock — Egypt's economic foundation and the animals associated with multiple Egyptian deities (Hathor the cow goddess, Apis the bull god). The plague targets both wealth and worship.

Samaritan Pentateuch (4th c. BCE divergence)moderate

"(Expanded with fulfillment report)"

The livestock plague receives the same harmonistic treatment. SP's expansions in Exodus 7-12 total several hundred words of additional text.

Exodus 9:4

וְהִפְלָ֣ה יְהֹוָ֔ה בֵּ֚ין מִקְנֵ֣ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וּבֵ֖ין מִקְנֵ֣ה מִצְרָ֑יִם וְלֹ֥א יָמ֛וּת מִכׇּל־לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל דָּבָֽר׃

But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, and nothing that belongs to the sons of Israel shall die.'"

KJV And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children’s of Israel.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Again God makes a 'distinction' (hiflah) between Israel and Egypt. The covenant principle from 8:18 is reinforced: belonging to God creates a different experiential reality.

Samaritan Pentateuch (4th c. BCE divergence)moderate

"(Expanded with fulfillment report)"

The livestock plague receives the same harmonistic treatment. SP's expansions in Exodus 7-12 total several hundred words of additional text.

Exodus 9:5

וַיָּ֥שֶׂם יְהֹוָ֖ה מוֹעֵ֣ד לֵאמֹ֑ר מָחָ֗ר יַעֲשֶׂ֧ה יְהֹוָ֛ה הַדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּ֖ה בָּאָֽרֶץ׃

The LORD set an appointed time, saying, "Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land."

KJV And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The 'appointed time' (mo'ed) echoes the language of covenant meetings and festivals. God sets the schedule; Pharaoh merely watches it arrive.

Samaritan Pentateuch (4th c. BCE divergence)moderate

"(Expanded with fulfillment report)"

The livestock plague receives the same harmonistic treatment. SP's expansions in Exodus 7-12 total several hundred words of additional text.

Exodus 9:6

וַיַּ֨עַשׂ יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶת־הַדָּבָ֤ר הַזֶּה֙ מִֽמׇּחֳרָ֔ת וַיָּ֕מׇת כֹּ֖ל מִקְנֵ֣ה מִצְרָ֑יִם וּמִמִּקְנֵ֥ה בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֹא־מֵ֥ת אֶחָֽד׃

The LORD did this the next day, and all the livestock of Egypt died. But not one of the livestock of the sons of Israel died.

KJV And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. 'All the livestock of Egypt died' — the word kol ('all') may indicate totality within the category of livestock left in the field, since later plagues still affect Egyptian animals (9:19-21). The severity is the point, not necessarily absolute elimination.

Samaritan Pentateuch (4th c. BCE divergence)moderate

"(Expanded with fulfillment report)"

The livestock plague receives the same harmonistic treatment. SP's expansions in Exodus 7-12 total several hundred words of additional text.

Exodus 9:7

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח פַּרְעֹ֔ה וְהִנֵּ֗ה לֹא־מֵ֛ת מִמִּקְנֵ֥ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עַד־אֶחָ֑ד וַיִּכְבַּד֙ לֵ֣ב פַּרְעֹ֔ה וְלֹ֥א שִׁלַּ֖ח אֶת־הָעָֽם׃ {פ}

Pharaoh sent and inquired, and not even one of the livestock of Israel had died. But Pharaoh's heart was heavy, and he did not let the people go.

KJV And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Pharaoh investigates and confirms the distinction — Israel's livestock survived. Even empirical evidence does not penetrate his hardened heart. The verb kaved ('was heavy') tracks the progressive weight of his resistance.

Samaritan Pentateuch (4th c. BCE divergence)moderate

"(Expanded with fulfillment report)"

The livestock plague receives the same harmonistic treatment. SP's expansions in Exodus 7-12 total several hundred words of additional text.

Exodus 9:8

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהֹוָה֮ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְאֶֽל־אַהֲרֹן֒ קְח֤וּ לָכֶם֙ מְלֹ֣א חׇפְנֵיכֶ֔ם פִּ֖יחַ כִּבְשָׁ֑ן וּזְרָק֥וֹ מֹשֶׁ֛ה הַשָּׁמַ֖יְמָה לְעֵינֵ֥י פַרְעֹֽה׃

Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Take handfuls of soot from a kiln, and let Moses throw it toward the sky in Pharaoh's sight.

KJV And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Kiln soot (piach kivsham) — the soot comes from the very kilns where enslaved Israelites made bricks. The instrument of oppression becomes the instrument of judgment. What Pharaoh forced Israel to produce now falls on Egypt as plague.
Exodus 9:9

וְהָיָ֣ה לְאָבָ֔ק עַ֖ל כׇּל־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וְהָיָ֨ה עַל־הָאָדָ֜ם וְעַל־הַבְּהֵמָ֗ה לִשְׁחִ֥ין פֹּרֵ֛חַ אֲבַעְבֻּעֹ֖ת בְּכׇל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

It will become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and it will produce boils breaking out in sores on man and beast throughout the land of Egypt."

KJV And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Boils (shechin) attack the body itself. The plagues have moved from the natural environment (water, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock) to the human body. Each stage brings judgment closer to Pharaoh's person.
Exodus 9:10

וַיִּקְח֞וּ אֶת־פִּ֣יחַ הַכִּבְשָׁ֗ן וַיַּֽעַמְדוּ֙ לִפְנֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֔ה וַיִּזְרֹ֥ק אֹת֛וֹ מֹשֶׁ֖ה הַשָּׁמָ֑יְמָה וַיְהִ֗י שְׁחִין֙ אֲבַעְבֻּעֹ֔ת פֹּרֵ֕חַ בָּאָדָ֖ם וּבַבְּהֵמָֽה׃

So they took soot from a kiln and stood before Pharaoh. Moses threw it toward the sky, and it produced boils breaking out in sores on man and beast.

KJV And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The sign is performed in Pharaoh's presence — publicly, undeniably.
Exodus 9:11

וְלֹֽא־יָכְל֣וּ הַֽחַרְטֻמִּ֗ים לַעֲמֹ֛ד לִפְנֵ֥י מֹשֶׁ֖ה מִפְּנֵ֣י הַשְּׁחִ֑ין כִּֽי־הָיָ֣ה הַשְּׁחִ֔ין בַּֽחַרְטֻמִּ֖ם וּבְכׇל־מִצְרָֽיִם׃

The magicians were unable to appear before Moses on account of the boils, because the boils had broken out on the magicians just as on all the Egyptians.

KJV And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The magicians who tried to replicate earlier signs now cannot even stand upright. Their professional incompetence is made personal: the boils are on their own bodies. Egypt's religious specialists are disabled by the God they failed to match.
Exodus 9:12

וַיְחַזֵּ֤ק יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־לֵ֣ב פַּרְעֹ֔ה וְלֹ֥א שָׁמַ֖ע אֲלֵהֶ֑ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ {ס}

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses.

KJV And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. For the first time the narrator says 'the LORD hardened' (vaychazzeq YHWH) rather than 'Pharaoh's heart was hard.' The agency shifts explicitly to God — judicial hardening has now overtaken Pharaoh's self-hardening. The distinction between Pharaoh choosing stubbornness and God confirming it narrows.
Exodus 9:13

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה הַשְׁכֵּ֣ם בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וְהִתְיַצֵּ֖ב לִפְנֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֑ה וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֵלָ֗יו כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הָֽעִבְרִ֔ים שַׁלַּ֥ח אֶת־עַמִּ֖י וְיַֽעַבְדֻֽנִי׃

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh and say to him, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews: Let My people go, so that they may serve Me.

KJV And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The seventh plague sequence opens with the same formula but adds unprecedented theological commentary (vv.14-16). This is the most theologically explicit pre-plague speech in Exodus.
Exodus 9:14

כִּ֣י ׀ בַּפַּ֣עַם הַזֹּ֗את אֲנִ֨י שֹׁלֵ֜חַ אֶת־כׇּל־מַגֵּפֹתַי֙ אֶֽל־לִבְּךָ֔ וּבַעֲבָדֶ֖יךָ וּבְעַמֶּ֑ךָ בַּעֲב֣וּר תֵּדַ֔ע כִּ֛י אֵ֥ין כָּמֹ֖נִי בְּכׇל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃

For this time I will send all My plagues on your heart and on your servants and on your people, so that you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth.

KJV For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. 'All My plagues on your heart' (kol-maggefotai el-libbeka) — the plagues are now directed at Pharaoh's heart, the organ of resistance. The external judgments aim at internal transformation — or, failing that, at public demonstration.
Exodus 9:15

כִּ֤י עַתָּה֙ שָׁלַ֣חְתִּי אֶת־יָדִ֔י וָאַ֥ךְ אוֹתְךָ֛ וְאֶֽת־עַמְּךָ֖ בַּדָּ֑בֶר וַתִּכָּחֵ֖ד מִן־הָאָֽרֶץ׃

For by now I could have stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been wiped from the earth.

KJV For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. God reveals restraint: He could have destroyed Egypt already. The continued existence of Pharaoh and his people is an act of divine patience with a purpose.
Exodus 9:16

וְאוּלָ֗ם בַּעֲב֥וּר זֹאת֙ הֶעֱמַדְתִּ֔יךָ בַּעֲב֖וּר הַרְאֹתְךָ֣ אֶת־כֹּחִ֑י וּלְמַ֛עַן סַפֵּ֥ר שְׁמִ֖י בְּכׇל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃

But for this very reason I have raised you up: to show you My power, so that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth.

KJV And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

וְאוּלָם בַּעֲבוּר זֹאת הֶעֱמַדְתִּיךָ ve'ulam ba'avur zot he'emadtikha
"for this very reason I have raised you up" — I have caused you to stand, I have raised you up, I have established you

God declares sovereign purpose behind Pharaoh's existence and position. The verb he'emid ('caused to stand') means God placed Pharaoh in his role to serve as the stage on which divine power is displayed to the world. Paul quotes this in Romans 9:17.

Translator Notes

  1. 'For this very reason I have raised you up' (ki ba'avur zot he'emadtikha) — one of the most theologically significant statements in the entire Pentateuch. God has positioned Pharaoh on the stage of history to display divine power and proclaim the divine name to all the earth. Paul quotes this verse in Romans 9:17 as evidence of God's sovereign purpose in history.
Exodus 9:17

עוֹדְךָ֖ מִסְתּוֹלֵ֣ל בְּעַמִּ֑י לְבִלְתִּ֖י שַׁלְּחָֽם׃

You are still exalting yourself against My people and will not let them go.

KJV As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. 'Exalting yourself against My people' (mistolel be'ammi) — the verb solal means 'to raise up, to lift high.' Pharaoh has elevated himself into the place that belongs to God. The plagues systematically dismantle that false elevation.

Samaritan Pentateuch (4th c. BCE divergence)moderate

"(Expanded with added detail)"

SP continues the harmonistic expansion pattern in the hail plague.

Exodus 9:18

הִנְנִ֤י מַמְטִיר֙ כָּעֵ֣ת מָחָ֔ר בָּרָ֖ד כָּבֵ֣ד מְאֹ֑ד אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹא־הָיָ֤ה כָמֹ֙הוּ֙ בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם לְמִן־הַיּ֥וֹם הִוָּסְדָ֖הֿ וְעַד־עָֽתָּה׃

Tomorrow at this time I will rain down the heaviest hail that has ever fallen on Egypt from the day it was founded until now.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The hail is historically superlative — the worst ever in Egypt's history. The specificity ('from the day it was founded until now') anchors the plague in Egyptian time-consciousness.

Samaritan Pentateuch (4th c. BCE divergence)moderate

"(Expanded with added detail)"

SP continues the harmonistic expansion pattern in the hail plague.

Exodus 9:19

וְעַתָּ֗ה שְׁלַ֤ח הָעֵז֙ אֶֽת־מִקְנְךָ֔ וְאֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְךָ֖ בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה כׇּל־הָאָדָ֨ם וְהַבְּהֵמָ֜ה אֲשֶֽׁר־יִמָּצֵ֣א בַשָּׂדֶ֗ה וְלֹ֤א יֵֽאָסֵף֙ הַבַּ֔יְתָה וְיָרַ֧ד עֲלֵהֶ֛ם הַבָּרָ֖ד וָמֵֽתוּ׃

Now send and bring your livestock and everything you have in the field to safety. Every man and beast that is found in the field and is not brought inside will die when the hail falls on them.'"

KJV Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. For the first time, God offers a warning with an escape clause: bring your livestock inside and you will survive. This is mercy within judgment — God gives the opportunity to respond to His word even to the oppressor's people.

Samaritan Pentateuch (4th c. BCE divergence)moderate

"(Expanded with added detail)"

SP continues the harmonistic expansion pattern in the hail plague.

Exodus 9:20

הַיָּרֵא֙ אֶת־דְּבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה מֵֽעַבְדֵ֖י פַּרְעֹ֑ה הֵנִ֛יס אֶת־עֲבָדָ֥יו וְאֶת־מִקְנֵ֖הוּ אֶל־הַבָּתִּֽים׃

Those among Pharaoh's servants who feared the word of the LORD hurried to bring their servants and their livestock inside.

KJV He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

הַיָּרֵא אֶת־דְּבַר יְהוָה hayyare et-devar YHWH
"who feared the word of the LORD" — who revered, who took seriously, who heeded

Even within Egypt, some begin to fear YHWH's word. The plagues achieve their revelatory purpose: knowledge of the LORD penetrates the oppressor's own court.

Translator Notes

  1. 'Those among Pharaoh's servants who feared the word of the LORD' — a remarkable detail. Even within the Egyptian court, some have begun to take YHWH seriously. The plagues are producing their intended effect: knowledge of the LORD, even among enemies.
Exodus 9:21

וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־שָׂ֛ם לִבּ֖וֹ אֶל־דְּבַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֑ה וַֽיַּעֲזֹ֛ב אֶת־עֲבָדָ֥יו וְאֶת־מִקְנֵ֖הוּ בַּשָּׂדֶֽה׃ {פ}

But those who did not take the word of the LORD to heart left their servants and their livestock in the field.

KJV And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Those who ignore the warning suffer the consequences. The choice is presented starkly: heed God's word and live, or disregard it and die. This binary will recur at Passover.
Exodus 9:22

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה נְטֵ֤ה אֶת־יָֽדְךָ֙ עַל־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וִיהִ֥י בָרָ֖ד בְּכׇל־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם עַל־הָאָדָ֣ם וְעַל־הַבְּהֵמָ֗ה וְעַ֛ל כׇּל־עֵ֥שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky, so that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt — on man and beast and every plant of the field in the land of Egypt."

KJV And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Moses stretches out his hand — the human agent acts at God's command, and nature obeys.
Exodus 9:23

וַיֵּ֨ט מֹשֶׁ֣ה אֶת־מַטֵּ֘הוּ֮ עַל־הַשָּׁמַ֒יִם֒ וַֽיהֹוָ֗ה נָתַ֤ן קֹלֹת֙ וּבָרָ֔ד וַתִּ֥הֲלַךְ אֵ֖שׁ אָ֑רְצָה וַיַּמְטֵ֧ר יְהֹוָ֛ה בָּרָ֖ד עַל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire ran along the ground. The LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt.

KJV And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Thunder (qolot, literally 'voices'), hail, and fire together — a combination that previews the Sinai theophany (19:16). The storm that judges Egypt foreshadows the storm that will give the Torah.
Exodus 9:24

וַיְהִ֣י בָרָ֔ד וְאֵ֕שׁ מִתְלַקַּ֖חַת בְּת֣וֹךְ הַבָּרָ֑ד כָּבֵ֣ד מְאֹ֔ד אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹֽא־הָיָ֤ה כָמֹ֙הוּ֙ בְּכׇל־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם מֵאָ֖ז הָיְתָ֥ה לְגֽוֹי׃

There was hail, and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail — very severe, such as had never been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.

KJV So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. 'Fire flashing in the midst of the hail' — a meteorological impossibility under normal conditions (fire and ice together), signaling supernatural origin. The narrator notes that nothing like this had occurred since Egypt's founding.
Exodus 9:25

וַיַּ֨ךְ הַבָּרָ֜ד בְּכׇל־אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֗יִם אֵ֚ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה מֵאָדָ֖ם וְעַד־בְּהֵמָ֑ה וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־עֵ֤שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶה֙ הִכָּ֣ה הַבָּרָ֔ד וְאֶת־כׇּל־עֵ֥ץ הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה שִׁבֵּֽר׃

The hail struck down everything in the field throughout the land of Egypt, both man and beast. The hail struck every plant of the field and shattered every tree of the field.

KJV And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The hail is agricultural devastation — plants and trees destroyed. Egypt's food supply is attacked alongside its population and livestock.
Exodus 9:26

רַ֚ק בְּאֶ֣רֶץ גֹּ֔שֶׁן אֲשֶׁר־שָׁ֖ם בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לֹ֥א הָיָ֖ה בָּרָֽד׃

Only in the land of Goshen, where the sons of Israel lived, was there no hail.

KJV Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Goshen is again exempt. The distinction (hiflah) between covenant people and Egypt is maintained through every plague.
Exodus 9:27

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח פַּרְעֹ֗ה וַיִּקְרָא֙ לְמֹשֶׁ֣ה וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֔ן וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֖ם חָטָ֣אתִי הַפָּ֑עַם יְהֹוָה֙ הַצַּדִּ֔יק וַאֲנִ֥י וְעַמִּ֖י הָרְשָׁעִֽים׃

Then Pharaoh sent and called Moses and Aaron and said to them, "This time I have sinned. The LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong.

KJV And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

צַדִּיק ... רְשָׁעִים tsaddiq ... resha'im
"in the right ... in the wrong" — righteous/wicked, just/unjust

Pharaoh uses the foundational covenant vocabulary of justice: YHWH is the tsaddiq (righteous one), and Pharaoh and his people are the resha'im (wicked). The confession is theologically accurate but motivationally shallow.

Translator Notes

  1. Pharaoh's confession — 'I have sinned... the LORD is righteous (tsaddiq)... I and my people are the wicked ones (reshaim)' — is the most theologically accurate statement any character has made about the plague narrative. It is also the most temporary.
Exodus 9:28

הַעְתִּ֙ירוּ֙ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְרַ֕ב מִֽהְיֹ֛ת קֹלֹ֥ת אֱלֹהִ֖ים וּבָרָ֑ד וַאֲשַׁלְּחָ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְלֹ֥א תֹסִפ֖וּן לַעֲמֹֽד׃

Plead with the LORD, for there has been enough of God's thunder and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer."

KJV Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. 'Enough of God's thunder' — Pharaoh wants relief from symptoms without addressing the cause. His concession targets the immediate threat, not the underlying injustice.
Exodus 9:29

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ מֹשֶׁ֔ה כְּצֵאתִי֙ אֶת־הָעִ֔יר אֶפְרֹ֥שׂ אֶת־כַּפַּ֖י אֶל־יְהֹוָ֑ה הַקֹּל֣וֹת יֶחְדָּל֗וּן וְהַבָּרָד֙ לֹ֣א יִֽהְיֶה־ע֔וֹד לְמַ֣עַן תֵּדַ֔ע כִּ֥י לַיהֹוָ֖ה הָאָֽרֶץ׃

Moses said to him, "As soon as I leave the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD. The thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth belongs to the LORD.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Moses offers a test: when the storm ceases, will Pharaoh keep his word? The cessation itself will prove 'that the earth belongs to the LORD' (ki laYHWH ha'arets) — a claim of universal sovereignty, not merely local power.
Exodus 9:30

וְאַתָּ֖ה וַעֲבָדֶ֑יךָ יָדַ֕עְתִּי כִּ֚י טֶ֣רֶם תִּֽירְא֔וּן מִפְּנֵ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִֽים׃

But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet fear the LORD God."

KJV But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. 'You do not yet fear the LORD God' — Moses identifies Pharaoh's core failure. Despite accurate confession (v27), there is no genuine yir'at YHWH ('fear of the LORD'). Words without inner transformation produce temporary concessions, not lasting change.
Exodus 9:31

וְהַפִּשְׁתָּ֥ה וְהַשְּׂעֹרָ֖ה נֻכָּ֑תָה כִּ֤י הַשְּׂעֹרָה֙ אָבִ֔יב וְהַפִּשְׁתָּ֖ה גִּבְעֹֽל׃

The flax and the barley were struck down, for the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bud.

KJV And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The agricultural detail — barley and flax destroyed, wheat and emmer spared because they ripen later — is precise and accurate. It both grounds the narrative in real agriculture and sets the stage for the locust plague, which will consume the late-ripening crops.
Exodus 9:32

וְהַחִטָּ֥ה וְהַכֻּסֶּ֖מֶת לֹ֣א נֻכּ֑וּ כִּ֥י אֲפִילֹ֖ת הֵֽנָּה׃

But the wheat and the emmer were not struck down, for they ripen later.

KJV But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The surviving crops become targets for the next plague. Each judgment leaves just enough for the next one to destroy. The progression is inexorable.
Exodus 9:33

וַיֵּצֵ֨א מֹשֶׁ֜ה מֵעִ֤ם פַּרְעֹה֙ אֶת־הָעִ֔יר וַיִּפְרֹ֥שׂ כַּפָּ֖יו אֶל־יְהֹוָ֑ה וַֽיַּחְדְּל֤וּ הַקֹּלוֹת֙ וְהַבָּרָ֔ד וּמָטָ֖ר לֹא־נִתַּ֥ךְ אָֽרְצָה׃

Moses left Pharaoh and went out of the city and spread out his hands to the LORD. The thunder and the hail ceased, and rain no longer poured on the earth.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Moses intercedes, and God responds — the prophetic cycle of plague, negotiation, intercession, and relief continues.
Exodus 9:34

וַיַּ֣רְא פַּרְעֹ֗ה כִּֽי־חָדַ֨ל הַמָּטָ֧ר וְהַבָּרָ֛ד וְהַקֹּלֹ֖ת וַיֹּ֣סֶף לַחֲטֹ֑א וַיַּכְבֵּ֥ד לִבּ֖וֹ ה֥וּא וַעֲבָדָֽיו׃

When Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned again and hardened his heart — he and his servants.

KJV And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. 'He sinned again and hardened his heart' (vayyosef lachato vayyakhbed et-libbo) — the verb yasaf ('add, do again') counts the accumulation of guilt. Each regression is an additional sin, not merely a repetition.
Exodus 9:35

וַיֶּֽחֱזַק֙ לֵ֣ב פַּרְעֹ֔ה וְלֹ֥א שִׁלַּ֖ח אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּיַד־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ {פ}

Pharaoh's heart was hard, and he did not let the sons of Israel go, just as the LORD had spoken through Moses.

KJV And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The chapter closes with the fulfillment formula: everything happens 'just as the LORD had spoken through Moses.' God's word controls the narrative; Pharaoh's resistance cannot alter the outcome.
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