Exodus 4:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground."

NIV: But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground."

NASB: But if they will not believe even these two signs nor pay attention to what you say, then you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground; and the water which you take from the Nile will turn into blood on the dry ground.'

CSB: And if they don’t believe even these two signs or listen to what you say, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the Nile will become blood on the ground."

NLT: And if they don’t believe you or listen to you even after these two signs, then take some water from the Nile River and pour it out on the dry ground. When you do, the water from the Nile will turn to blood on the ground.'

KJV: And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.

NKJV: And it shall be, if they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that you shall take water from the river and pour it on the dry land. The water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land.”

For those who will not respond (Exodus 4:8) to Moses' other two miracles (Exodus 4:1–7), God provides a third. Unlike the others, it does not seem that the Lord asks Moses to perform it beforehand. This might suggest that Moses is not one of those who needs a third proof; if the Lord worked miracles twice, He could work a third.

This sign involves turning water from the Nile—the river sacred to the Egyptians—into blood when poured on the ground. Whether this is a literal transformation into body fluids, or merely a drastic change in color, the message is the same. This would prove the Lord's power over nature. That included the Nile, which was vital to everything in Egypt.

The Bible does not specifically record Moses performing this third sign. He may have done it for the elders of Israel (Exodus 4:30). However, it foreshadows the first plague (Exodus 3:20) where God transforms the Nile itself into blood (Exodus 7:19). For a week (Exodus 7:25) there was stench and death (Exodus 7:21).

Exodus 4:1–9 continues the conversation between Moses and God. Moses doubts that anyone will believe his story. So, the Lord gives him signs such as transforming Moses' staff into a snake, afflicting and healing leprosy on his own hand, and turning water poured on the ground into blood. These prove God's power over animal life, human life, and nature itself.

While speaking with God in the form of a supernaturally burning bush, Moses expresses a lack of confidence. God gives Moses several miraculous signs so he can prove the source of his message. Moses is still unsure because of his poor speech. Though irritated, God appoints Moses' brother, Aaron, to be the spokesman while Moses relays the words of God. Moses returns to Egypt. Along the way, he nearly dies due to God's anger over some issue related to circumci-sion. After meeting his brother, Moses convinces the elders of Israel that his mission is genuine.

Moses, born an Israelite (Exodus 2:1) but raised by an Egyptian princess (Exodus 2:10) fled into exile after killing an abu-sive Egyptian taskmaster (Exodus 2:14–15). Later, Moses meets God (Exodus 3:6) and receives the initial command to challenge Pharaoh for the freedom of the Israelites (Exodus 3:18–20). In this chapter, Moses makes excuses about his public speaking and nearly dies because of an uncircumcised son. Israel's elders believe Moses' story. But in the next chapter, Moses' early confrontation with Pharaoh goes poorly; the people are worked even hard-er (Exodus 5:5–9) and they begin to turn against Moses (Exodus 5:20–21).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.