Exodus 9:31The flax and the barley were struck, for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was in bloom.
The setting
Nile Delta, Egypt, ~1446 BC. Dawn after the worst hailstorm in Egyptian history. Farmers survey destroyed fields near modern-day Cairo, Egypt.
The emotion here: solemn documentation of devastating loss
The original word
śe'ōrāh (שְׂעֹרָה) — barley, the earliest ripening grain, ready for harvest in spring
Why it matters
Barley harvest in Egypt occurred in March-April, making this the 7th plague perfectly timed to destroy the early crop
Read with care
What most readers miss in Exodus 9:31
This verse precisely dates the plague - only barley and flax ripen in early spring, proving the hail came at harvest time
Common misconceptionPeople think this is just agricultural trivia, but it's actually precise historical documentation proving the plagues happened during specific seasons, not random destruction.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Exodus 9:31
Bible Genome reading
Exodus 9:31 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Exodus 9:31 comes from the book of Exodus, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include divine judgment, agricultural destruction. Notable phrases: flax and barley were struck.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Exodus 9:31 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "grieving"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.