Exodus 9:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Take handfuls of soot from the kiln, and let Moses throw them in the air in the sight of Pharaoh.

NIV: Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Take handfuls of soot from a furnace and have Moses toss it into the air in the presence of Pharaoh.

NASB: Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 'Take for yourselves handfuls of soot from a kiln, and Moses shall toss it toward the sky in the sight of Pharaoh.

CSB: Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Take handfuls of furnace soot, and Moses is to throw it toward heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.

NLT: Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 'Take handfuls of soot from a brick kiln, and have Moses toss it into the air while Pharaoh watches.

KJV: And the Lord said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.

NKJV: So the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take for yourselves handfuls of ashes from a furnace, and let Moses scatter it toward the heavens in the sight of Pharaoh.

This begins to describe the sixth plague (Exodus 9:9–12). Like the third plague (Exodus 8:16), this one is unannounced. However, it is done in Pharaoh's presence so there is no doubt about its cause. The word for what Moses throws into the air is piyach, used only in this passage in Scripture. These are either the fine ashes from a furnace or a collection of the sooty residue left in its chimney. The result will be an outbreak of skin inflammations, diseases, and other conditions (Exodus 9:9).

As with other disasters, this one is filled with symbolism. Kilns were used to bake bricks: the main task of Israel as slaves in Egypt (Exodus 1:11–14; 5:14). God's control over the Nile and animal life proved His superiority to Egyptian deities such as Khnum, Hapi, and Heqet. Plagues on livestock countered trust in idols like Hathor and Apis (Exodus 9:1–7). Rampant disease would counter the supposed powers of Isis and Sekhmet, both associated with health or disease. Soot falling to create a plague suggests an affliction coming from the heavens above.

Exodus 9:8–12 records the sixth plague (Exodus 3:20), involving skin lesions and sores. Up until now, Pharaoh has been deliberately obstinate and hard-headed (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7). He has ignored every command from God and each sign of divine power. In this passage, Pharaoh nears a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). As promised (Exodus 4:21), the Lord makes an example of Egypt's ruler by making the Egyptian king even more headstrong. This will lead to an exceptional display of divine power: an epic hailstorm.

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.

Accessed 6/17/2025 12:35:20 PM