my peopleעַם
am · Hebrew Noun
In the context of Exodus, it refers to the Israelites who have been chosen by God to be His own possession, set apart from other nations for His purposes.
serveעָבַד
abad · Hebrew Verb
The act of religious devotion, labor, and obedience performed by creatures in response to their Creator; it is the ultimate purpose for which God redeems His people from bondage.
peopleעַם
ʿam · Hebrew Noun
A group of people or an entity regarded as being in a special covenant relationship with God. In the Old Testament, it refers primarily to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, chosen by God to be His own possession and a light to the nations.
swarms of fliesעָרֹב
ʿārōḇ · Hebrew Noun
Small, winged, blood-sucking or nuisance insects. In this context, they represent a divine plague sent by God to demonstrate His authority over the Egyptian gods and the stubbornness of Pharaoh.
set apartפָּלָה
pālāh · Hebrew Verb
To distinguish, mark out, or treat as holy and separate from the common or profane. It denotes God’s sovereign action in setting aside His people for His special protection or purpose.
the LORDיְהוָה
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the God of Israel, revealed to Moses, signifying His eternal, self-existent, and covenant-keeping nature. It is the name by which God identifies Himself as the supreme authority and Redeemer.
divisionפְּדֻת
pĕḏût · Hebrew Noun
A distinction, separation, or discrimination between two groups or entities. In a biblical context, it often refers to God’s sovereign act of drawing a boundary between the righteous and the unrighteous or between His people and the world.
signאוֹת
ʾôt · Hebrew Noun
An object, event, or act that serves as a divine authentication, warning, or evidence of God’s power and presence. It confirms the truth of a message or the authority of a messenger.
sacrificeזָבַח
zāḇaḥ · Hebrew Verb
To slaughter an animal as a religious rite, often to provide an atonement for sin, express gratitude, or consecrate oneself to God. It involves the surrender of something valuable to express total devotion or to satisfy covenantal requirements.
offeringsתּוֹעֵבָה / זֶבַח
zebach · Hebrew Noun
A gift or act of devotion presented to God, often involving the killing of an animal as an atonement for sin or a sign of dedication and worship. It signifies the surrender of something valuable to the Creator.
abominationתּוֹעֵבָה
to'ebah · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew word denoting something detestable, loathsome, or morally repulsive in the sight of God or, in this context, culturally offensive to the Egyptians due to their religious practices. It marks a sharp distinction between the worship of Yahweh and the practices of pagan nations.
LORDיְהוָה
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of God in the Old Testament, representing His self-existent nature, faithfulness, and His personal relationship with His people. It is the name revealed to Moses at the burning bush.
wildernessמִדְבָּר
midbar · Hebrew Noun
An uncultivated, desolate place often associated with testing, encounter with God, and separation from the influence of worldly powers. In Scripture, it is a place where God frequently leads His people to commune with Him.
Pleadעָתַר
athar · Hebrew Verb
To intercede, entreat, or make a petition on behalf of another before God. It implies an acknowledgment of God's power to intervene in human circumstances.
prayedפָּלַל
palal · Hebrew Verb
The act of turning to God in communication, petition, or adoration. It is the human response to God's presence, relying on His sovereignty to change conditions or hearts.
LORDיְהוָה
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The proper name of the God of Israel, the covenant-keeping I AM who reveals Himself to His people. It signifies His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises.
swarms of fliesעָרֹב
'arov · Hebrew Noun
A generic term for a small flying insect, used here in the context of the plague upon Egypt. In Scripture, insects are often symbols of God's judgment, signifying how He can use even the smallest creatures to humble the pride of nations and rulers.
hardenedכָּבַד
kaved · Hebrew Verb
In the biblical context, to make stubborn, obstinate, or unyielding. It describes a moral decision to resist God’s will and reject His authority, often resulting in a spiritual state where the heart becomes increasingly resistant to divine truth.
heartלֵב
lev · Hebrew Noun
In Hebrew anthropology, the heart is the center of human intellect, will, desire, and moral decision-making. To harden the heart signifies a deliberate, internal choice to defy God, indicating that the rebellion originates from the core of the person's being.
