Exodus 9

35 verses

TL;DR

In Exodus 9 the LORD brings the fifth through eighth plagues upon Egypt—livestock pestilence, boils, hail, thunder and fire—yet Pharaoh’s heart hardens and he refuses to release the Israelites.

Summary

Exodus 9 describes the continuation of the plague series against Egypt, starting with a pestilence that kills all Egyptian cattle while sparing Israelite livestock. Moses and Aaron are instructed to sprinkle ashes, producing boils that afflict men and beasts. Pharaoh’s servants flee but the unprepared die. God then sends a severe hailstorm, accompanied by thunder and fire, that devastates all crops and livestock except those in Goshen. Pharaoh acknowledges his sin yet remains obstinate, hardening his heart again and refusing to let the Israelites go.

Outline

Livestock pestilence and boils that target Egyptian animals and men
A devastating hailstorm with thunder and fire that destroys crops and all Egyptian fields
Pharaoh’s hardened heart, his eventual confession, and the promise of release

Themes

Divine sovereignty and power over natureFaithful covenant versus stubborn human resistanceJudgment and mercy juxtaposed in God’s dealings with Pharaoh

Keywords

plaguehardening of heartMosesAaronPharaohGodEgyptIsraelcattleboilshailthunderfirecropscovenant

People

MosesAaronPharaohMagicians of EgyptServants of Pharaoh

Places

EgyptGoshenLand of EgyptThe FieldThe city

Things

Livestock plagueBoilsAsh from the furnaceHailThunderFireMoses’s rodPharaoh’s cattle

Key Verses

Exodus 9:3: Introduces the plague of livestock, marking the fifth of the series and demonstrating God's power over Egyptian resources.
Exodus 9:9: Describes the boiling plague that afflicts both man and beast, illustrating a new form of divine judgment.
Exodus 9:19: Details the severe hailstorm, the first weather-related plague, showing God's control over natural phenomena.
Exodus 9:27: Pharaoh admits his sin, revealing the internal conflict between fear and stubbornness.
Exodus 9:34: Shows the cessation of thunder and hail after Moses’s prayer, indicating a moment of divine mercy.

Questions

What does Pharaoh’s repeated hardening of heart reveal about human resistance to divine authority?
How does the pattern of plagues in Exodus 9 reflect the broader theme of God’s sovereignty over creation?
In what ways does the contrast between the suffering of the Egyptians and the relative safety of the Israelites serve theological or moral purposes?
How might the imagery of hail, thunder, and fire be interpreted symbolically in relation to divine judgment?
What role does faith play in Moses’s actions throughout this chapter?
How does the narrative balance between God’s justice and mercy?
What is the significance of the specific mention of crops that survive versus those that are destroyed?
How does this chapter set the stage for the eventual Exodus?
Why is the location Goshen emphasized as a place of protection?
What implications does the repeated mention of “God’s name” have for understanding the text’s message about divine identity?

Sentiment

mixed
The narrative contains both fear and anger at divine judgment and frustration at Pharaoh’s stubbornness, balanced by faith and the promise of release.