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Exodus 7:21 - Nile's lifeblood turns to death

Exodus 7:21 - שמות 7:21

Hebrew Text

וְהַדָּגָה אֲשֶׁר־בַּיְאֹר מֵתָה וַיִּבְאַשׁ הַיְאֹר וְלֹא־יָכְלוּ מִצְרַיִם לִשְׁתּוֹת מַיִם מִן־הַיְאֹר וַיְהִי הַדָּם בְּכָל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

And the fish that was in the River died; and the River stank, and Miżrayim could not drink of the water of the River; and there was blood throughout all the land of Miżrayim.

Transliteration

Vehadaga asher-baye'or metah vayivash haye'or velo-yachlu Mitzrayim lishtot mayim min-haye'or vayehi hadam bechol-eretz Mitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהַדָּגָ֨ה אֲשֶׁר־בַּיְאֹ֥ר מֵ֙תָה֙ וַיִּבְאַ֣שׁ הַיְאֹ֔ר וְלֹא־יָכְל֣וּ מִצְרַ֔יִם לִשְׁתּ֥וֹת מַ֖יִם מִן־הַיְאֹ֑ר וַיְהִ֥י הַדָּ֖ם בְּכׇל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
וְהַדָּגָ֨ה אֲשֶׁר־בַּיְאֹ֥ר מֵ֙תָה֙ וַיִּבְאַ֣שׁ הַיְאֹ֔ר וְלֹא־יָכְל֣וּ מִצְרַ֔יִם לִשְׁתּ֥וֹת מַ֖יִם מִן־הַיְאֹ֑ר וַיְהִ֥י הַדָּ֖ם בְּכׇל־אֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Overview of the Plague of Blood

The verse describes the first of the Ten Plagues inflicted upon Egypt, where the Nile River turned to blood, causing the fish to die and the water to become undrinkable. This plague targeted the Nile, which the Egyptians worshipped as a god, demonstrating Hashem's supremacy over their false deities (Shemot Rabbah 9:9).

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Shemot 7:18) explains that the fish died because they could not survive in blood, and the river emitted a foul odor (וַיִּבְאַשׁ) as a result. He further notes that the Egyptians were unable to drink from the Nile or any other water source in Egypt, as even stored water turned to blood (based on Shemot 7:19). This emphasizes the totality of the plague—no Egyptian could escape its effects.

Symbolism of the Nile

The Nile was central to Egyptian life and mythology, representing fertility and divine sustenance. By striking the Nile first, Hashem undermined Pharaoh's claim of divinity (Rambam, Hilchot Avodah Zarah 1:1). The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 9:10) adds that the plague lasted seven days, corresponding to the seven days of mourning for the Nile, mocking the Egyptians' reliance on a false god.

Moral and Theological Implications

  • Divine Justice: The Egyptians drowned Jewish infants in the Nile (Sotah 11b), so they were punished measure-for-measure with blood in the same river.
  • Idolatry Exposed: The Nile's inability to protect itself revealed the folly of Egyptian idol worship (Ibn Ezra on Shemot 7:17).
  • Distinction Between Egypt and Israel: The plague affected only Egyptian water sources; Jews could still drink from their own wells (Mechilta d'Rabbi Yishmael, Bo 11).

Halachic Insights

The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 6:5) cites the plagues as proof of Hashem's direct intervention in history to reward and punish. The transformation of water to blood also serves as a reminder of the miraculous nature of creation, where Hashem can suspend natural laws at will (Maharal, Gevurot Hashem 25).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the fish in the Nile River die during the first plague?
A: According to Rashi, the fish died because the Nile turned to blood, depriving them of oxygen and making the water undrinkable. This was a direct punishment from Hashem, as the Egyptians worshipped the Nile as a god, and this plague showed Hashem's supremacy over nature.
Q: Why was the first plague blood in the Nile River?
A: The Midrash explains that the Nile was struck first because Pharaoh had decreed that all Jewish baby boys be drowned in the river (Exodus 1:22). Measure for measure, the Nile—a source of life—turned into blood, symbolizing the spilled blood of the innocent.
Q: How long did the first plague of blood last?
A: The Torah states that the plague lasted seven days (Exodus 7:25). According to the Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 11b), this duration was a warning to Pharaoh, giving him time to repent before the next plague.
Q: Did the plague of blood affect the Jewish people in Egypt?
A: No, the Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 9:10) teaches that the water remained drinkable for the Jews. This distinction between Egyptians and Israelites demonstrated Hashem’s protection over His people.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the plague of blood today?
A: The Rambam teaches that miracles in Egypt remind us of Hashem’s control over nature and His justice. Just as He punished the Egyptians for their cruelty, we must recognize divine justice in our lives and strive for righteousness.