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Exodus 7:19 - Divine judgment through water

Exodus 7:19 - שמות 7:19

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה אֱמֹר אֶל־אַהֲרֹן קַח מַטְּךָ וּנְטֵה־יָדְךָ עַל־מֵימֵי מִצְרַיִם עַל־נַהֲרֹתָם עַל־יְאֹרֵיהֶם וְעַל־אַגְמֵיהֶם וְעַל כָּל־מִקְוֵה מֵימֵיהֶם וְיִהְיוּ־דָם וְהָיָה דָם בְּכָל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם וּבָעֵצִים וּבָאֲבָנִים׃

English Translation

And the Lord spoke to Moshe, Say to Aharon, Take thy rod, and stretch out thy hand upon the waters of Miżrayim, upon their streams, upon their canals, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Miżrayim, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Adonai el-Moshe emor el-Aharon kach matecha u'nete-yadcha al-meimei Mitzrayim al-naharotam al-ye'oreihem ve'al-agmeihem ve'al kol-mikvei meimeihem ve'yihyu-dam ve'haya dam be'chol-eretz Mitzrayim u'va'etzim u'va'avanim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה אֱמֹ֣ר אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֡ן קַ֣ח מַטְּךָ֣ וּנְטֵֽה־יָדְךָ֩ עַל־מֵימֵ֨י מִצְרַ֜יִם עַֽל־נַהֲרֹתָ֣ם&thinsp
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה אֱמֹ֣ר אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֡ן קַ֣ח מַטְּךָ֣ וּנְטֵֽה־יָדְךָ֩ עַל־מֵימֵ֨י מִצְרַ֜יִם עַֽל־נַהֲרֹתָ֣ם&thinsp

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Parasha Commentary

The Command to Turn Water into Blood

The verse describes Hashem's instruction to Moshe to command Aharon to strike the waters of Egypt, turning them into blood. This marks the first of the ten plagues, demonstrating Hashem's supremacy over the Nile, which the Egyptians worshipped as a deity (Rashi, Shemot 7:19). The specificity of the command—targeting rivers, canals, ponds, and all water sources—emphasizes the totality of the plague, leaving no doubt of its divine origin.

Aharon's Role in Executing the Plague

Rashi (Shemot 7:19) explains that Aharon, rather than Moshe, was chosen to initiate this plague because the Nile had protected Moshe when he was cast into it as an infant. It would be inappropriate for Moshe to strike the very waters that had safeguarded him. This teaches the principle of hakarat hatov (recognizing and repaying kindness), even to inanimate objects.

The Extent of the Plague

The verse states that the blood would appear "in vessels of wood and stone." The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 9:10) elaborates that even water stored in containers turned to blood, demonstrating that the miracle transcended natural boundaries. The plague was not merely a contamination of the Nile but a complete transformation of all water sources, including those already drawn and stored.

Symbolism of the Plague

  • Divine Judgment: Blood represents death and judgment. The Egyptians had drowned Israelite infants in the Nile (Shemot 1:22), and now their life-sustaining water became a symbol of their guilt (Rambam, Moreh Nevuchim 3:29).
  • Humiliation of Egyptian Deities: By striking the Nile, Hashem displayed His dominance over what the Egyptians revered as a god (Ibn Ezra, Shemot 7:17).
  • Contrast with Jewish Survival: The Midrash (Tanchuma, Va'eira 14) notes that the Israelites still had access to drinkable water, highlighting divine protection over Bnei Yisrael.

The Rod as an Instrument of Miracles

Aharon uses his rod to initiate the plague, a recurring motif in the Exodus narrative. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 97a) teaches that miracles are often performed through natural-seeming instruments to allow room for human free will—those who wish to see divine intervention can, while skeptics may attribute it to other causes.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 36b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the miracles performed in Egypt, particularly the plague of blood, highlighting Aaron's role in executing God's command.
📖 Sanhedrin 67b
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the nature of miracles and the specific actions taken by Aaron under Moses' direction during the plagues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Hashem tell Moshe to have Aharon perform the plague of blood instead of doing it himself?
A: Rashi explains that since the Nile River protected Moshe when he was a baby (when he was placed in a basket there), it was inappropriate for Moshe to strike it. Therefore, Aharon was commanded to initiate this plague out of hakarat hatov (recognition of the good) that the Nile did for Moshe.
Q: What was the significance of turning the water into blood as the first plague?
A: The Midrash teaches that the plague of blood corresponded to the Egyptians' sin of shedding Jewish blood by drowning Jewish babies in the Nile. This measure-for-measure punishment showed that Hashem repays nations according to their actions.
Q: Why did the plague affect both the Nile and all other water sources in Egypt?
A: The Ramban explains that the Egyptians worshipped the Nile as a god, believing it provided life. By turning all water - including stored water in vessels - into blood, Hashem demonstrated complete mastery over all water sources, proving their deities were powerless.
Q: How long did the plague of blood last?
A: According to the Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 11b), each plague lasted seven days, with three weeks between plagues. This means the Egyptians suffered from undrinkable water for an entire week before the next plague began.
Q: Did the plague affect the Jewish people in Goshen too?
A: The Torah makes clear in later verses (Exodus 8:18) that during the plagues, Hashem made a distinction between Egypt and Goshen where the Jews lived. Rashi explains this showed that Hashem watches over His people even when punishing others.