Exodus Chapter 7 — The Rod and the River of Blood
Moses and Aaron perform a miraculous sign with a rod before Pharaoh, followed by the first plague where the Nile River turns into blood.
Open this chapter in the Biblicast app for the full reading experience with audio narration and explanations.
Notable Verses
Exodus 7:5
“The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD when I stretch out my hand on Egypt, and bring the children of Israel out from among them.”
This verse establishes the primary purpose of the miracles and plagues: to reveal God's identity and power to Egypt.
Exodus 7:12
“For they each cast down their rods, and they became serpents; but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.”
This event demonstrates the superior power of God over the magic and enchantments of the Egyptian court.
Exodus 7:17
“The LORD says, “In this you shall know that I am the LORD. Behold: I will strike with the rod that is in my hand on the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.””
This marks the formal beginning of the ten plagues that will eventually lead to the Exodus.
Chapter Summary
In Exodus Chapter 7, God instructs Moses and Aaron to confront Pharaoh once again, establishing Aaron as Moses' spokesperson. At eighty and eighty-three years old respectively, they appear before the king of Egypt. Aaron casts down his rod, which transforms into a serpent. Although Pharaoh's magicians replicate the feat using their enchantments, Aaron's rod swallows theirs. Despite this sign, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened as God predicted. Following God's specific command, Moses and Aaron meet Pharaoh at the bank of the Nile in the morning. Aaron strikes the water with his rod, turning the river and all Egyptian water sources into blood. This miracle causes the fish to die and the water to become foul and undrinkable throughout the land. While the Egyptian magicians use secret arts to mimic the miracle, Pharaoh refuses to relen and returns to his palace, leaving the Egyptians to dig for fresh water for seven days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moses was eighty years old and Aaron was eighty-three years old when they went to speak to Pharaoh as representatives of God.
When Aaron's rod became a serpent, Pharaoh's magicians did the same with their enchantments, but Aaron’s rod swallowed up the magicians' rods.
The water in the Nile and throughout Egypt turned to blood, the fish died, the river became foul-smelling, and the Egyptians were unable to drink the water for seven days.
Study Note
The turning of the Nile into blood was a significant blow to Egyptian society, as the river was central to their economy, agriculture, and religious life.
Continue in the App
Get the full experience — immersive audio, instant explanations, highlights, notes, and reading plans.