Breakdown of Exodus 7:20

"Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded. In the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants he lifted up the staff and struck the water in the Nile, and all the water in the Nile turned into blood." — This wasn't just about turning water into blood; it was a public spectacle for Pharaoh and his court, a dramatic demonstration of God's power right before their eyes. The verse highlights that this w…

Exodus 7:20 Meaning Explained

All verses

Exodus 7:20

Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded. In the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants he lifted up the staff and struck the water in the Nile, and all the water in the Nile turned into blood.

English Standard Version (ESV)

This wasn't just about turning water into blood; it was a public spectacle for Pharaoh and his court, a dramatic demonstration of God's power right before their eyes. The verse highlights that this wasn't a private event but a carefully orchestrated public humiliation of Egypt's gods and Pharaoh's authority.

What Exodus 7:20 means

Pharaoh has refused God's command to let Israel go, so God is about to unleash the first plague. Moses and Aaron, acting under direct divine instruction and in the very presence of Pharaoh and his court, strike the Nile River with Aaron's staff. This act immediately transforms the life-giving waters into blood, marking the beginning of God's powerful demonstration of judgment.

The Nile: From Idol to Judgment

The very source of Egypt's life and pride became the instrument of its terror. How does this show God's justice?

Egypt's prosperity and identity were deeply tied to the Nile River. It was revered, even worshipped, as a source of life and sustenance. This made it a prime target for God's judgment.

Divine Retribution: By turning the Nile into blood, God directly attacked the Egyptians' idol. They worshipped the river, so God gave them blood to drink, a chilling reflection of their own sin in shedding innocent blood (referencing Revelation 16:6).
Challenging False Gods: This plague wasn't just about punishment; it was a powerful demonstration that the God of the Hebrews was sovereign over all powers, including those the Egyptians trusted. Their 'god' the Nile, proved utterly powerless against the Creator.

A Public Display of Power

This wasn't a private miracle. It happened right in front of Pharaoh and his court. Why the need for such a public spectacle?

The plague of blood was a deliberate, public act designed to confront Pharaoh and all of Egypt with the undeniable power of the God of Israel.

Undeniable Witness: The miracle was performed 'in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants.' This wasn't something that could be easily dismissed or explained away. It was a direct challenge to Pharaoh's authority and his gods.
Demonstration of Sovereignty: God intended for this event to be a clear sign, so that Pharaoh and his nation would 'know that I am the LORD' (Exodus 7:17). It was meant to strip away their arrogance and force them to acknowledge the true God.

Obedience in the Face of Opposition

Moses and Aaron obeyed, even though they knew Pharaoh's heart was hard. What does their faithfulness teach us?

Understand the original words

Original language

Pharaohפַּרְעֹה

Par`oh · Hebrew Proper Noun

The supreme ruler of Egypt, who in this context represents worldly pride, opposition to God, and the enslavement of God's people.

servantsעֶבֶד

ebed · Hebrew Noun

Those who carry out the will or work of a master; in a spiritual sense, it refers to those who are under the authority of a kingdom or sovereign.

Historical context

Written: Likely between the 15th and 13th centuries BC
Author: Traditionally Moses, though scholarly consensus suggests compilation by later editors
Location: Egypt, likely near Pharaoh's residence along the Nile River
Genre: Narrative (historical account) featuring divine judgment and miraculous intervention

Historical background

The turning of the Nile to blood was not just a magical display but a profound theological act, targeting Egypt's primary source of life and a symbol of their false gods, demonstrating God's sovereignty over creation and His power to judge idolatry.

c. 15th century BC
Israelite Enslavement in Egypt
The descendants of Jacob have grown into a large people in Egypt, leading to their enslavement under a new dynasty that feared their power and number.
c. 1446 BC
Moses Commissioned by God
God appears to Moses at the burning bush, commissioning him to return to Egypt and demand Pharaoh let the Israelites go.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
First Plague: Water Turned to Blood
Moses and Aaron, at God's command, strike the Nile River with Aaron's staff, turning all its water into blood and killing its fish. This is the first of ten devastating plagues sent to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites.
c. 1446 BC
Pharaoh's Heart Hardened
Despite the devastating plagues, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened, and he refuses to let the Israelites go, leading to further divine judgments.

Key themes

01God's judgment on idols
02Divine power over creation
03Obedience to God's command
04Public display of power

Cross-references

Revelation 16:6

This passage speaks of God giving blood to drink as judgment, directly echoing the consequence for Egypt's sin against the Israelites.

Psalm 78:43-44

This Psalm recounts God turning Egypt's rivers into blood and their streams into blood, highlighting the divine power displayed in Exodus.

Isaiah 19:5-7

This prophecy describes the drying up of the Nile and the cessation of its benefits, directly paralleling the impact of the plague in Exodus.

John 3:16

While a stark contrast, this verse about God's love providing a way for life ('living water') makes the plague of blood and death in Exodus a powerful illustration of what sin brings.

Scholarly commentary

Exodus 7:20: "And Moses and Aaron did so, as 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."

Exodus 7:20 . The waters in the river were turned into blood — This was a plague justly inflicted on the Egyptians; for the river of Egypt was their idol; they and their land had so much benefit by that creature, that they served and worsh…
benson

Exodus 7:14-25: "And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go."

Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning: lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.

Vade ad Pharaonem mane: ecce, egreditur ad aquas, et stes in occursum ejus super ripam fluminis: et virgam quae versa fuit in serpentem tolles in manum tuam.

And thou shal…

calvin

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What Exodus 7:20 means

Original language

Pharaohפַּרְעֹה

Par`oh · Hebrew Proper Noun

The supreme ruler of Egypt, who in this context represents worldly pride, opposition to God, and the enslavement of God's people.

servantsעֶבֶד

ebed · Hebrew Noun

Those who carry out the will or work of a master; in a spiritual sense, it refers to those who are under the authority of a kingdom or sovereign.

Historical background

c. 15th century BC

Israelite Enslavement in Egypt

The descendants of Jacob have grown into a large people in Egypt, leading to their enslavement under a new dynasty that feared their power and number.

c. 1446 BC

Moses Commissioned by God

God appears to Moses at the burning bush, commissioning him to return to Egypt and demand Pharaoh let the Israelites go.

c. 1446 BC— this verse

First Plague: Water Turned to Blood

Moses and Aaron, at God's command, strike the Nile River with Aaron's staff, turning all its water into blood and killing its fish. This is the first of ten devastating plagues sent to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites.