Exodus 7:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’"

NIV: "When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ then say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a snake."

NASB: When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘ Work a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, so that it may turn into a serpent.’?'

CSB: "When Pharaoh tells you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh. It will become a serpent.’"

NLT: Pharaoh will demand, ‘Show me a miracle.’ When he does this, say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down in front of Pharaoh, and it will become a serpent. ’'

KJV: When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.

NKJV: “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Show a miracle for yourselves,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and let it become a serpent.’ ”

When God first appointed Moses (Exodus 3:4–6, 10), He provided several miraculous signs (Exodus 4:2–4, 6–7, 9). These are meant as proofs that Moses is bringing a message from God, not merely a human preference. The first of these signs is changing a staff into a snake (Exodus 7:10, 12, 15). In the Bible, snakes are often associated with evil (Genesis 3:1, 13; 49:17) and judgment (Numbers 21:6–9). They were also among the religious icons used by Egyptians.

As predicted (Exodus 3:19–20), Pharaoh will not be convinced by this supernatural act (Exodus 7:13). His own magicians duplicate the feat—at least well enough to fool Pharaoh. However, Aaron's snake will swallow the others (Exodus 7:12). Even that will not be enough to break through the Egyptian king's obstinate spirit.

Exodus 7:8–13 depicts a faceoff between Moses and Aaron, against Pharoah and his Egyptian magicians. As instructed (Exodus 4:2–5), Aaron drops his staff, which becomes a snake. Pharaoh's sorcerers manage to duplicate this, but Aaron's snake devours theirs. So, the Egyptian king remains stubborn and will not listen to pleas for Israel's release. This triggers the first of the ten great plagues against Egypt (Exodus 7:17–18).

God again repeats (Exodus 3:19–20; 4:19–23; 6:6) the basic outline of how Israel will be freed from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 1:11–14). He then commands Moses and Aaron to show Pharaoh one of the miraculous signs given for that purpose (Exodus 4:2–5). Egyptian magicians seem to duplicate the feat, so Pharaoh still refuses to hear Mo-ses' message. This results in the first plague: all water in Egypt, including the Nile river, becomes blood. This lasts seven days. The Lord then tells Moses to repeat the demand for Israel's release.

God commissioned Moses (Exodus 3:10) and commanded him to confront Egypt's ruler, the pharaoh (Exodus 4:19–23). When Moses obeyed (Exodus 5:1–3), the immediate result was even worse oppression for Israel (Exodus 5:19–21). This inspired Moses to doubt (Exodus 5:22–23). The Lord responded with reassurances (Exodus 6:1–8). Chapter 7 completes this declaration and begins the cycle of plagues (Exodus 3:19–20), starting with turning the Nile river into blood. These catastrophes will continue (Exodus 8—11) until Pharaoh finally releases the Israelites (Exodus 12:41).

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.