Exodus 9:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The hail struck down everything that was in the field in all the land of Egypt, both man and beast. And the hail struck down every plant of the field and broke every tree of the field.

NIV: Throughout Egypt hail struck everything in the fields—both people and animals; it beat down everything growing in the fields and stripped every tree.

NASB: The hail struck everything that was in the field through all the land of Egypt, from people to animals; the hail also struck every plant of the field, and shattered every tree of the field.

CSB: Throughout the land of Egypt, the hail struck down everything in the field, both people and animals. The hail beat down every plant of the field and shattered every tree in the field.

NLT: It left all of Egypt in ruins. The hail struck down everything in the open field — people, animals, and plants alike. Even the trees were destroyed.

KJV: And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.

NKJV: And the hail struck throughout the whole land of Egypt, all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail struck every herb of the field and broke every tree of the field.

The seventh plague (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10) was predicted to be unlike anything Egypt had ever seen (Exodus 9:18–19). When the storm came, it brought a vicious combination of hail and lightning (Exodus 9:23–24). Even small hailstones can damage plants and animals. Larger stones, the width of a thumb, can become deadly. Hailstones have been recorded at the size of a human hand—which would be instantly lethal. Scripture does not tell us how large the hailstones were in this storm, but when God uses hail as judgment, it can be extreme (Revelation 16:21).

As expected, this terrifying burst of ice and lightning destroys everything exposed. People and animals are killed. Trees and plants are smashed. Only those crops which had not yet sprouted managed to survive (Exodus 9:31–32). This would make a drastic visual impact on the Egyptian landscape. Decorative plants, less-sturdy structures, trees, crops, grasses, and other parts of a typical scene would be crushed and / or burnt.

Those Egyptians who listened to God's warning avoided the worst effects (Exodus 9:20–21). The Hebrews were entirely free from the storm (Exodus 9:26). This distinction highlights that this was a supernatural event. It also serves as a reminder that Egyptian idols such as Set and Horus, associated with weather, were powerless. Only the One True God, the God of Israel, had influence. He demanded the release of His people (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 21; 9:1). These disasters were the result of defiance (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7).

This storm will continue until Pharaoh admits that he is wrong (Exodus 9:27–28).

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.