Exodus 9:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Behold, about this time tomorrow I will cause very heavy hail to fall, such as never has been in Egypt from the day it was founded until now.

NIV: Therefore, at this time tomorrow I will send the worst hailstorm that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded till now.

NASB: Behold, about this time tomorrow, I will send a very heavy hail, such as has not been seen in Egypt from the day it was founded until now.

CSB: Tomorrow at this time I will rain down the worst hail that has ever occurred in Egypt from the day it was founded until now.

NLT: So tomorrow at this time I will send a hailstorm more devastating than any in all the history of Egypt.

KJV: Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.

NKJV: Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause very heavy hail to rain down, such as has not been in Egypt since its founding until now.

This is the fifth time a plague is said to either begin or end "tomorrow" (Exodus 8:10, 23, 29; 9:5). The eighth plague of locusts would also happen "tomorrow" (Exodus 10:4). After the exodus, the Lord would use "tomorrow" to schedule other activities related to the Israelites (Exodus 16:23; 17:9; 19:10; 32:5; Numbers 11:18). Because Pharaoh still refuses to release the Hebrew people (Exodus 9:17), God is sending another disaster.

What's predicted is a vicious hailstorm. Pharaoh and other Egyptians would have understood the concept of hail: hard pieces of ice falling instead of raindrops. While exceedingly rare, even desert climates can experience hailstorms. Hailstones larger than a few centimeters, or about an inch, become extremely dangerous. When hailstones reach fist-sized chunks or larger, they can kill instantly. What's coming will be stronger than anything ever seen in the history of Egypt. This will be crippling, lethal hail (Exodus 9:19).

The destructive nature of hailstorms is a common element in Scripture. It appears in a battle involving Joshua (Joshua 10:11). Hail is part of God's creative power as discussed in Job (Job 38:22). In the end times (Revelation 8:7; 11:19), hailstones the size of people will fall (Revelation 16:21). Even in desert climates, hailstorms can wreak havoc.

Exodus 9:13–26 explains the seventh plague on Egypt (Exodus 3:20). Because Pharaoh has stubbornly resisted the Lord (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7), God has begun to harden Pharaoh's heart as a means of judgment (Exodus 9:12). Moses offers a warning for Egyptians to take shelter against a coming storm. Some listen, others do not. God sends a terrifying, brutal storm of hail and lightning that kills everything and everyone in the open fields. Only the Hebrew land of Goshen is spared.

After four devastating plagues, Pharaoh continues to resist God's command to free the Hebrew slaves. Through Moses, the Lord sends two more: death of Egyptian livestock and an epidemic of skin lesions. Pharoah refuses to respond to the first, and God makes him stubborn after the second. This leads to the most terrifying sign yet: the seventh plague of hail and fire. Pharoah claims to repent. Yet as soon as the hail stops, he again chooses obstinance. After this, the Lord will use Pharaoh as a tool to demonstrate divine judgment.

Moses and Aaron brought the Lord's command that Pharaoh should release Hebrew slaves (Exodus 5:1–4). Over and over, Egypt's king was obstinate. This resulted in divine plagues meant to demonstrate God's power and authority (Exodus 7:20; 8:6, 17, 24). In this chapter, God sends three more disasters: a plague on livestock, an epidemic of skin sores, and an obliterating storm of hail and lightning. Pharaoh will once again choose stubbornness, passing a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). For the remaining plagues (Exodus 10—12) and after (Exodus 14:4), Pharaoh will be a living example of the Lord's divine judgment (Exodus 4:21).

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.