Exodus 9:22
And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.
Exodus 9:22 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from the book of Exodus, God instructs Moses to stretch out his hand towards heaven to bring forth a plague of hail upon the land of Egypt. This event is one of the ten plagues that God sent upon the Egyptians to secure the release of the Israelites from their bondage. The hail was meant to serve as a demonstration of God's power and superiority over the false gods and rulers of Egypt. The hail was not only destructive to the people and animals in the land, but also to the vegetation, symbolizing the extent of God's wrath and the severity of the punishment being inflicted. Through this act, God shows that He is in control of nature and all its elements, and that He will do whatever is necessary to fulfill His divine purposes. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the consequences of defying His will.
Theological Overview
In this verse from the book of Exodus, we see the power and authority of the LORD demonstrated through the instructions given to Moses. The act of stretching forth one's hand towards heaven was a symbolic gesture of calling upon divine intervention. The theological interpretation of this passage highlights the sovereignty of God over all creation, including the weather and natural elements. The word "hail" in this context is significant as it represents a form of punishment or judgment upon the Egyptians for their refusal to let the Israelites go. This event serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises. Through this act of sending hail, God displayed His supremacy over the gods of Egypt, showing that He alone is worthy of worship and praise. This narrative provides a profound lesson on the importance of obedience and the consequences of defying the will of God.
Exodus 9:22 in other translations
American Standard Version
And Jehovah said unto Moses, Stretch forth thy hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.
World English Bible
Yahweh said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, on man, and on animal, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.”
Douay-Rheims
And the Lord said to Moses: Stretch forth thy hand towards heaven, that there may be hail in the whole land of Egypt upon men, and upon beasts, and upon every herb of the field in the land of Egypt.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the Lord saide to Moses, Stretche foorth thine hande towarde heauen, that there may be haile in all the land of Egypt, vpon man, and vpon beast, and vpon all the herbes of the fielde in the lande of Egypt.