Only in the land of Goshen, where the people of Israel were, was there no hail.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights God's selective protection for His people, not just sparing the Israelites but also any Egyptians who happened to be living among them. This shows God's favor extends outwards, often shielding the unrighteous for the sake of the righteous dwelling nearby.
Only in the land of Goshen, where the people of Israel were, was there no hail.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Pharaoh has repeatedly refused to let the Israelites go, so God unleashes a devastating plague of hail mixed with fire that destroys everything in the fields across Egypt. This horrific storm is so severe that it's unlike anything Egypt has ever seen, yet it miraculously spares the land of Goshen where the Israelites live. This distinct protection highlights God's power and His special care for His people, even impacting Egyptians who might have lived among them.
When disaster strikes the world around you, where do you find safety? This verse reveals a powerful truth about God's protection for His people.
The plague of hail was devastating, destroying everything in the fields across Egypt. Yet, in Goshen, where the Israelites lived, not a single drop fell.
A Visible Distinction
This wasn't just a lucky break; it was a deliberate act of God. It clearly marked out His chosen people, showing that even amidst widespread destruction, He could and would preserve those who belonged to Him.
More Than Just Survival
This protection wasn't just about saving lives and property. It served as a powerful testimony to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, demonstrating God's unique power and His special relationship with Israel. It was a preview of His ongoing commitment to care for them.
Did you know that even those who don't follow God can sometimes benefit from the presence of His people? This verse offers a surprising insight.
The hail destroyed crops and livestock throughout Egypt, but not in Goshen. This means that some Egyptians who lived in Goshen, or perhaps had property or servants there, were spared the worst of this plague.
A Ripple Effect of Faith
God's care for His people in Goshen had a positive effect on those around them. It suggests that the presence of faithful believers can, in some ways, bring a measure of protection or benefit to those who are not yet walking with God.
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A Seed for Future Gratitude
This kindness might have even sown seeds of gratitude. Some commentators suggest this protection might have made the Egyptians more willing to lend their valuables to the Israelites when they finally left Egypt, as mentioned later in Exodus.
Understand the original words
Goshen · Hebrew Noun (proper)
A region in the eastern Nile Delta given to the Israelites to dwell in. It represents a place of divine protection and separation from the judgment falling upon the rest of Egypt.
The miraculous preservation of Goshen during the plague of hail highlights God's power and His covenantal protection over His people, even amidst widespread devastation.
c. 1440 BC
Israelites in Egypt
The descendants of Jacob (Israel) have lived in Egypt for generations, becoming a large population and, to the Egyptians, a perceived threat.
c. 1440 BC
Pharaoh Enslaves Israelites
A new Pharaoh, who 'did not know Joseph,' rises to power and enslaves the Israelites, forcing them into hard labor.
c. 1440 BC
Moses Confronts Pharaoh
God calls Moses to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites, setting the stage for the plagues.
c. 1440 BC— this verse
The Plague of Hail
God unleashes a devastating plague of hail, accompanied by fire, upon Egypt, destroying livestock, crops, and people in the open fields.
c. 1440 BC
Goshen Spared
Remarkably, the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, is completely untouched by the hail, demonstrating God's distinct protection.
c. 1440 BC
Pharaoh's Fleeting Repentance
Pharaoh briefly relents and admits wrongdoing, but his heart hardens again once the immediate threat passes.
This passage highlights how the Israelites were given a place to settle in Goshen and were fruitful there, directly referencing the special protection afforded to their land.
Psalm 105:36This verse recounts God striking down the firstborn of Egypt and destroying their crops, but then explicitly states that 'he brought out Israel with silver and gold, and there was not a weak one in all their tribes,' echoing the divine protection over the Israelites.
Isaiah 26:20This prophetic passage calls God's people to 'enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you' during times of judgment, paralleling the idea of a protected dwelling place for the faithful amidst wider destruction.
1 Corinthians 10:13While not a direct event parallel, this verse speaks to God's faithfulness in not allowing His people to be tempted beyond what they can bear, and providing a way out, which resonates with the preservation of Goshen from the plague.
gillExodus 9:26: "Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail."
Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail. So that such Egyptians as might dwell among them, they, their servants, their cattle, and their fruits, escaped this plague; and oftentimes do wicked men fare the better for the people of God that are among them.
clarkeExodus 9:26: "Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail."
Only in the land of Goshen - was there no hail - What a signal proof of a most particular providence! Surely both the Hebrews and Egyptians profited by this display of the goodness and severity of God.
This verse highlights God's selective protection for His people, not just sparing the Israelites but also any Egyptians who happened to be living among them. This shows God's favor extends outwards, often shielding the unrighteous for the sake of the righteous dwelling nearby.
Pharaoh has repeatedly refused to let the Israelites go, so God unleashes a devastating plague of hail mixed with fire that destroys everything in the fields across Egypt. This horrific storm is so severe that it's unlike anything Egypt has ever seen, yet it miraculously spares the land of Goshen where the Israelites live. This distinct protection highlights God's power and His special care for His people, even impacting Egyptians who might have lived among them.
Pharaoh has repeatedly refused to let the Israelites go, so God unleashes a devastating plague of hail mixed with fire that destroys everything in the fields across Egypt. This horrific storm is so severe that it's unlike anything Egypt has ever seen, yet it miraculously spares the land of Goshen where the Israelites live. This distinct protection highlights God's power and His special care for His people, even impacting Egyptians who might have lived among them.
"Only in the land of Goshen, where the people of Israel were, was there no hail." — This verse highlights God's selective protection for His people, not just sparing the Israelites but also any Egyptians who happened to be living among them. This shows God's favor extends outwards,…
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Last reviewed October 2026