Exodus 7:20Moses and Aaron did so, as Yahweh commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
The setting
The Nile River at Memphis, Egypt. Pharaoh's court watches as an 80-year-old shepherd raises a wooden staff...
The emotion here: recording with trembling hands what seemed impossible but happened
The original word
nakah (נָכָה) — to strike, smite, deliver a decisive blow
Why it matters
The Nile flooding season determined Egypt's entire economy - this plague attacked their lifeline
Read with care
What most readers miss in Exodus 7:20
Aaron struck the water 'in the sight of Pharaoh' - this was a public demonstration, not private miracle
Common misconceptionMany focus on the dramatic miracle, but Moses is showing us simple obedience - they just did exactly what God said, nothing more.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Exodus 7:20
Bible Genome reading
Exodus 7:20 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Exodus 7:20 comes from the book of Exodus, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is reverent. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include obedience, faithfulness, action. Notable phrases: as Yahweh commanded; lifted up the rod.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Exodus 7:20 mean to you, today?
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