Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 7:17
Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that [is] in mine hand upon the waters which [are] in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
17. The proof to be given to the Pharaoh that the God of the Hebrews is Jehovah: the waters of the Nile to be smitten and turned into blood (i.e. to assume the appearance of blood).
I will smite ] As Di. remarks, the transition from the Divine ‘I’ just before to the ‘I’ of Moses is very abrupt: we expect, ‘I [i.e. Jehovah] will smite the waters that are in the Nile’ (cf. v. 25, ‘after that Jehovah had smitten the Nile’); hence it is probable (Di.) that the words, with the rod that is in mine hand, are introduced by the compiler from the narrative of E (in which, Moses being addressed, thine will have stood originally for mine). It these words are omitted, the ‘I’ in ‘I will smite’ will of course be Jehovah.
the river ] the Nile. So vv. 18 (thrice), 20 (twice), 21 (thrice), 24 (twice), 25. See on Exo 1:22.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Turned to blood – This miracle would bear a certain resemblance to natural phenomena, and therefore be one which Pharaoh might see with amazement and dismay, yet without complete conviction. It is well known that before the rise the water of the Nile is green and unfit to drink. About the 25th of June it becomes clear, and then yellow, and gradually reddish like ochre; an effect due to the presence of microscopic cryptogams and infusoria. The supernatural character of the visitation was tested by the suddenness of the change, by its immediate connection with the words and act of Moses, and by its effects. It killed the fish, and made the water unfit for use, neither of which results follows the annual discoloration.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 17. Behold, I will smite] Here commences the account of the TEN plagues which were inflicted on the Egyptians by Moses and Aaron, by the command and through the power of God. According to Archbishop Usher these ten plagues took place in the course of one month, and in the following order: –
The first, the WATERS turned into BLOOD, took place, he supposes, the 18th day of the sixth month; Ex 7:20.
The second, the plague of FROGS, on the 25th day of the sixth month; Ex 8:2.
The third, the plague of LICE, on the 27th day of the sixth month; Ex 8:16.
The fourth, grievous SWARMS of FLIES, on the 29th day of the sixth month; Ex 8:24.
The fifth, the grievous MURRAIN, on the 2d day of the seventh month; Ex 9:3.
The sixth, the plague of BOILS and BLAINS, on the 3d day of the seventh month; Ex 9:10.
The seventh, the grievous HAIL, on the 5th day of the seventh month; Ex 9:18.
The eighth, the plague of LOCUSTS, on the 8th day of the seventh month; Ex 10:12.
The ninth, the THICK DARKNESS, on the 10th day of Abib, (April 30), now become the first month of the Jewish year; Ex 10:22. See Clarke on Ex 12:2.
The tenth, the SLAYING the FIRST-BORN, on the 15th of Abib; Ex 12:29. But most of these dates are destitute of proof.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Because thou saidst, Who is the Lord? and, I know not the Lord, Exo 5:2, thou shalt know him experimentally, and to thy cost. Behold, I will smite, viz. by Aarons hand, who shall do it by my command and direction. Thus Pilate is said to give Christs body to Joseph, Mar 15:45, because he commanded it to be delivered by others to him. The same action is ascribed to the principal and instrumental cause. The river Nile, which was one of their principal gods; and therefore it was inexcusable in them, that they would not renounce those feeble gods, which were unable to help not only their worshippers, but even themselves, nor embrace the service and commands of that God whose almighty power they saw and felt.
They shall be turned to blood, which was a very grievous plague to them; both because it was an eternal dishonour to their religion, and because from hence they had both their drink, Deu 11:10,11; Jer 2:18, and their meat, Num 11:5; for greater and lesser cattle they would not eat, Exo 8:26. And it was a very proper punishment for them, who had made that river an instrument for the execution of their bloody design against the Israelitish infants, Exo 1:22.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17-21. Aaron lifted up the rod andsmote the waters, c.Whether the water was changed into realblood, or only the appearance of it (and Omnipotence could effect theone as easily as the other), this was a severe calamity. How greatmust have been the disappointment and disgust throughout the landwhen the river became of a blood red color, of which they had anational abhorrence their favorite beverage became a nauseousdraught, and the fish, which formed so large an article of food, weredestroyed. [See on Nu 11:5.] Theimmense scale on which the plague was inflicted is seen by itsextending to “the streams,” or branches of the Niletothe “rivers,” the canals, the “ponds” and”pools,” that which is left after an overflow, thereservoirs, and the many domestic vessels in which the Nile water waskept to filter. And accordingly the sufferings of the people fromthirst must have been severe. Nothing could more humble the pride ofEgypt than this dishonor brought on their national god.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Thus saith the Lord, in this thou shalt know that I am the Lord,…. By the following instance of his power and vengeance:
behold, I will smite with the rod that is in my hand; which though in the hand of Moses, Ex 7:18 yet he being his ambassador, and representing him, is said to be in the hand of the Lord; and with this he threatens to smite
upon the waters which are in the river; the river Nile, and the canals thereof:
and they shall be turned to blood; and if this river was their god, it would abundantly appear that the God of the Hebrews was Jehovah, and above all gods, and particularly above theirs.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(17) In this thou shalt know that I am the Lord.See the comment on Exo. 7:5.
The rod that is in my hand, i.e., in the hand of my servant. God is here represented as about to do that which was actually done by Aaron (Exo. 7:20). Qui facit per alium, facit per se.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 7:17. In this thou shalt know, &c. Words and signs had been hitherto unavailing with Pharaoh: Moses therefore is now commanded to stretch the awful rod of punishment over him; and to threaten him with such severe plagues, as should cause him to acknowledge that Jehovah, of whom he had said so tauntingly, who is Jehovah? I know him not, ch. Exo 5:2.
The waters which are in the rivershall be turned to blood The Author of the Book of Wisdom, ch. Exo 2:6-7 observes, that this giving the Egyptians bloody water to drink, was for a manifest reproof of that commandment whereby the infants were slain in the water. It is not expressed how far this plague extended: the words of the text would lead one to believe, that all the water of the Nile was thus affected; from which three terrible evils ensued. All their fish, Exo 7:18 which was their common food, died: the waters of the river corrupted and stunk; and thus were rendered unfit for drinking, as well as for all other ordinary uses. Ainsworth observes, that, in allusion to this plague, the contrary happiness of the Holy Land is described by the healing of the waters; so that all creatures shall live, and the fish be multiplied, Eze 47:8-9. It is to be remembered, that none of these plagues affected the Israelites; and this tended still more to prove the power and providence of Jehovah.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Exo 7:17 Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that [is] in mine hand upon the waters which [are] in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
Ver. 17. In this thou shalt know, ] q.d., I shall really answer thee to that stomachful question of thine. Exo 5:2 See Trapp on “ Exo 5:2 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Thus saith the LORD. See note on Exo 4:22.
river. Probably the Nile canals.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
thou shalt: Exo 7:5, Exo 5:2, Exo 6:7, 1Sa 17:46, 1Sa 17:47, 1Ki 20:28, 2Ki 19:19, Psa 9:16, Psa 83:18, Eze 29:9, Eze 30:8, Eze 30:19, Eze 32:15, Eze 38:23, Eze 39:28, Dan 4:17, Dan 4:32, Dan 4:37, Dan 5:21, Dan 5:23
and they: Exo 1:22, Exo 4:9, Psa 78:44, Psa 105:29, Rev 8:8, Rev 16:3-6
Reciprocal: Exo 7:20 – all the waters Exo 8:22 – know Exo 10:2 – that ye Exo 14:4 – that the Egyptians Exo 14:18 – General Exo 16:12 – ye shall know Psa 105:14 – General Eze 32:6 – water