Exodus 9:24
There was hail and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very heavy hail, such as had never been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse vividly describes "fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail," which isn't just lightning, but a phenomenon where fire seemed to be within the hail itself. This intense, self-contained fire, impossible to melt or extinguish by the hail, highlights the supernatural nature of God's judgment, exceeding natural laws to demonstrate His absolute power.
Pharaoh has repeatedly refused to let God's people go, leading God to unleash a devastating plague of hail upon Egypt. This wasn't just any storm; it was a supernatural tempest with fire flashing amidst the hail, destroying everything in the fields except in the land of Goshen where the Israelites lived. Despite the terror, Pharaoh will later harden his heart again after a brief moment of repentance, showing the ongoing conflict and God's persistent judgment.
Imagine a storm so violent it defies natural explanation. This wasn't just hail; it was something far more terrifying.
Exodus 9:24 describes a hailstorm accompanied by 'fire flashing continually.' Ancient commentators noted how astonishing this was: fire and ice, two opposing elements, existing together without extinguishing each other. This wasn't a typical thunderstorm. The description of 'fire infolding itself' suggests continuous, self-sustaining flashes within the hail. This wasn't just a natural phenomenon; it was a supernatural display designed to show God's unique power over creation.
This wasn't just a bad storm; it was the worst Egypt had ever seen. Yet, Pharaoh's heart remained unmoved.
The verse stresses that this devastating hail was 'very grievous, such as had never been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.' This unprecedented nature highlights the extreme measures God was taking to break Pharaoh's stubborn will. Despite witnessing plague after plague, Pharaoh's heart grew harder. This reveals a crucial spiritual truth: external judgments, even devastating ones, don't automatically change a hardened heart. True change comes from a surrendered will and an openness to God's word, not just from experiencing His power.
This plague was unlike any natural disaster Egypt had ever experienced, a clear supernatural display of God's power intended to break Pharaoh's stubborn will and demonstrate His incomparable might to both Egyptians and Israelites.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites, after centuries of enslavement, are led out of Egypt by Moses. This event marks a pivotal moment in their history and the relationship between Israel and Egypt.
c. 1446 BC
The Ten Plagues Begin
God sends a series of plagues upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. These plagues demonstrate God's power over the Egyptian gods and the natural world.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Plague of Hail and Fire
God sends a devastating storm of hail mixed with fire upon the land of Egypt, destroying livestock, crops, and people in the fields. Only the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, is spared.
c. 1446 BC
Pharaoh's Fleeting Repentance
Pharaoh, terrified by the plague, temporarily repents and asks Moses to intercede. However, his heart hardens again once the immediate threat passes.
clarkeExodus 9:24: "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."
Hail, and fire mingled with the hail - It is generally allowed that the electric fluid is essential to the formation of hail. On this occasion it was supplied in a supernatural abundance; for streams of fire seem to have accompanied the descending hail, so that herbs and trees, beasts and men, were all destroyed by them.
calvinExodus 9:13-26: "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."
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.
Nunc igitur mitte, collige pecus tuum, et quicquid tibi…
The verse vividly describes "fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail," which isn't just lightning, but a phenomenon where fire seemed to be within the hail itself. This intense, self-contained fire, impossible to melt or extinguish by the hail, highlights the supernatural nature of God's judgment, exceeding natural laws to demonstrate His absolute power.
Pharaoh has repeatedly refused to let God's people go, leading God to unleash a devastating plague of hail upon Egypt. This wasn't just any storm; it was a supernatural tempest with fire flashing amidst the hail, destroying everything in the fields except in the land of Goshen where the Israelites lived. Despite the terror, Pharaoh will later harden his heart again after a brief moment of repentance, showing the ongoing conflict and God's persistent judgment.
Pharaoh has repeatedly refused to let God's people go, leading God to unleash a devastating plague of hail upon Egypt. This wasn't just any storm; it was a supernatural tempest with fire flashing amidst the hail, destroying everything in the fields except in the land of Goshen where the Israelites lived. Despite the terror, Pharaoh will later harden his heart again after a brief moment of repentance, showing the ongoing conflict and God's persistent judgment.
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c. 1446 BC
Pharaoh Relents and Israelites Depart
Following further plagues and escalating divine judgment, Pharaoh finally allows the Israelites to leave Egypt, completing the Exodus.
"There was hail and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very heavy hail, such as had never been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation." — The verse vividly describes "fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail," which isn't just lightning, but a phenomenon where fire seemed to be within the hail itself. This intense, self-con…
