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Exodus Chapter Study

God’s Sovereignty Revealed Through Judgment

Exodus 9 (KJV)

Exodus 9 reveals God's mighty power through a series of devastating plagues on Egypt, demonstrating His authority over creation and Pharaoh’s stubborn refusal to obey.

What You'll Learn

• God’s power is supreme over all creation and rulers.
• The consequences of hardening one’s heart against God.
• God’s protection over His people amid judgment.
• The call to respond in reverence and obedience to God’s word.

God displays His sovereign power to deliver His people and judge the disobedient.

Bible Translation Note Scripture Verse-by-Verse Study Chapter Synopsis Prayer Personal Application Weekly Actions Chapter Summary

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

Exodus 9:1 Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Exodus 9:2 For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still,

Exodus 9:3 Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.

Exodus 9:4 And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children’s of Israel.

Exodus 9:5 And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land.

Exodus 9:6 And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one.

Exodus 9:7 And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.

Exodus 9:8 And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.

Exodus 9:9 And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.

Exodus 9:10 And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.

Exodus 9:11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.

Exodus 9:12 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.

Exodus 9:13 And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Exodus 9:14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.

Exodus 9:15 For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.

Exodus 9:16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

Exodus 9:17 As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?

Exodus 9:18 Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.

Exodus 9:19 Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.

Exodus 9:20 He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:

Exodus 9:21 And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.

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 9:23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.

Exodus 9:24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.

Exodus 9:25 And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.

Exodus 9:26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.

Exodus 9:27 And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.

Exodus 9:28 Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.

Exodus 9:29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD’S.

Exodus 9:30 But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God.

Exodus 9:31 And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.

Exodus 9:32 But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.

Exodus 9:33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.

Exodus 9:34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

Exodus 9:35 And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.

Exodus 9:1

Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Study: God again sends Moses to Pharaoh with the same clear command. Israel belongs to the Lord, and their deliverance is for the purpose of worship and service, not merely escape from oppression.

Exodus 9:2

For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still,

Study: Pharaoh’s sin is described as both refusal and continued oppression. God confronts not only Pharaoh’s words, but also his determination to keep holding Israel in bondage.

Exodus 9:3

Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.

Study: The hand of the Lord moves against Egypt’s livestock, striking resources that represented wealth, labor, transportation, and food. God is showing Pharaoh that Egypt’s strength and economy are under His authority.

Exodus 9:4

And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children’s of Israel.

Study: God makes a clear distinction between Egypt and Israel. His judgment is not random; He is able to strike the oppressor while preserving what belongs to His people.

Exodus 9:5

And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land.

Study: God appoints the exact time when the plague will come. This removes any possibility of coincidence and shows Pharaoh that the Lord rules over both events and timing.

Exodus 9:6

And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one.

Study: The plague happens exactly when God said it would, and Israel’s livestock are spared completely. The verse confirms both the reliability of God’s word and His faithful protection over His people.

Exodus 9:7

And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.

Study: Pharaoh investigates and sees that God’s distinction between Egypt and Israel is real. Even with clear evidence before him, he hardens his heart and refuses to obey.

Exodus 9:8

And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.

Study: God commands Moses and Aaron to use ashes from the furnace, a symbol connected to labor, affliction, and judgment. The act is done openly before Pharaoh so he can see that the coming plague is from the Lord.

Exodus 9:9

And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.

Study: The ashes become dust that brings painful boils on people and animals throughout Egypt. God’s judgment now touches the bodies of the Egyptians directly, showing that no part of life is beyond His reach.

Exodus 9:10

And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.

Study: Moses obeys God’s command in Pharaoh’s presence, and the plague comes immediately. The visible act confirms that the suffering is not accidental, but the direct result of Pharaoh’s continued resistance to God.

Exodus 9:11

And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.

Study: The magicians who once tried to oppose Moses are now unable even to stand before him. Egypt’s spiritual representatives are humiliated, showing that false power collapses before the judgment of God.

Exodus 9:12

And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.

Study: Pharaoh’s hardness continues under God’s sovereign judgment. His refusal does not frustrate God’s plan; it fulfills what the Lord had already spoken to Moses.

Exodus 9:13

And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Study: God sends Moses back to Pharaoh early in the morning with the same command. The repetition shows God’s patience, but also the unchanging nature of His demand.

Exodus 9:14

For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.

Study: God reveals the purpose behind the plagues: Pharaoh is to know that there is none like the Lord. The judgments are not random acts of power; they are revelations of God’s unmatched authority over all the earth.

Exodus 9:15

For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.

Study: God makes clear that He has the power to remove Pharaoh and Egypt completely. Pharaoh’s continued existence is not proof of strength, but proof that God is choosing to display His purpose through him.

Exodus 9:16

And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

Study: God explains that Pharaoh has been raised up so that God’s power may be displayed and His name declared throughout the earth. Even a rebellious ruler cannot escape serving the larger purpose of God.

Exodus 9:17

As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?

Study: Pharaoh’s refusal is described as self-exaltation against God’s people. At the heart of his rebellion is pride, placing his own authority above the command of the Lord.

Exodus 9:18

Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.

Study: God warns that the coming hail will be unlike anything Egypt has ever experienced. The severity of the plague matches the seriousness of Pharaoh’s pride and continued defiance.

Exodus 9:19

Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.

Study: Even before sending judgment, God mercifully provides a warning and a way to escape it. Those who heed His word can avoid destruction, revealing that God’s judgments are accompanied by opportunities to respond in faith.

Exodus 9:20

He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:

Study: Some Egyptians believe God's warning and act accordingly. Their response shows that reverence for the Lord is demonstrated by trusting His word enough to obey it.

Exodus 9:21

And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.

Study: Others ignore God's warning and leave everything exposed. The difference between those spared and those who suffer is not access to the warning, but whether they believed and acted upon it.

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.

Study: Moses is instructed to stretch out his hand, but the power belongs entirely to God. The coming hail demonstrates that the Lord rules over the heavens as completely as He rules over the earth.

Exodus 9:23

And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.

Study: Moses obeys, and the Lord responds with thunder, hail, and fire. The dramatic display leaves no doubt that creation itself answers to God's command.

Exodus 9:24

So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.

Study: The unprecedented storm demonstrates the greatness of God's power. Egypt experiences a judgment unlike anything in its history, emphasizing that no earthly kingdom can withstand the Lord.

Exodus 9:25

And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.

Study: The hail destroys people, animals, crops, and trees that remained exposed. God's judgment reaches every part of Egypt's economy and food supply, revealing the cost of persistent rebellion.

Exodus 9:26

Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.

Study: While Egypt suffers, Goshen remains untouched. God once again demonstrates His ability to protect His covenant people while carrying out judgment on those who oppose Him.

Exodus 9:27

And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.

Study: Pharaoh openly admits that he has sinned and acknowledges God's righteousness. Yet his confession comes under pressure, revealing remorse over consequences rather than a transformed heart.

Exodus 9:28

Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.

Study: Pharaoh pleads for the plague to stop and promises obedience. Like earlier promises, his words are motivated by suffering rather than genuine submission to God's authority.

Exodus 9:29

And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD’S.

Study: Moses promises to pray so Pharaoh will know that the entire earth belongs to the Lord. The ending of the storm will be as much a testimony to God's sovereignty as its beginning.

Exodus 9:30

But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God.

Study: Moses recognizes that Pharaoh's confession has not changed his heart. True fear of the Lord produces lasting obedience, not temporary promises made during hardship.

Exodus 9:31

And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.

Study: The hail destroys crops that were already mature, causing significant economic loss. The detail shows that God's judgment affected real livelihoods and the future harvest of Egypt.

Exodus 9:32

But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.

Study: Some crops survive because they had not yet matured. Even within judgment, God demonstrates precise control over what is destroyed and what is spared.

Exodus 9:33

And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.

Study: Moses prays exactly as he promised, and God immediately stops the storm. Once again, the beginning and ending of the plague are directed entirely by the Lord.

Exodus 9:34

And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

Study: When the danger passes, Pharaoh returns to his sin and hardens his heart once more. His actions demonstrate that outward regret without inward repentance always returns to rebellion.

Exodus 9:35

And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.

Study: Pharaoh's hardened heart fulfills exactly what God had foretold through Moses. Despite overwhelming evidence of God's power, Pharaoh continues to resist, highlighting both human stubbornness and the certainty of God's word.

In Exodus 9, God sends severe plagues upon Egypt’s livestock and unleashes a devastating hailstorm to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. Despite clear evidence of God’s power and protection over His people, Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened. This chapter highlights God’s sovereignty, justice, and mercy as He works to fulfill His promise of deliverance.

Lord, help us to recognize Your power and sovereignty in our lives. Teach us to respond with humble obedience rather than hard-hearted resistance. Protect us as You did Your people and guide us to serve You faithfully. Amen.

• Reflect daily on areas where you may be resisting God’s guidance and ask Him to soften your heart.
• Pray for faith to trust God’s protection in your life.
• Commit to obeying God’s Word promptly and fully this week.

Exodus 9 powerfully demonstrates God’s authority over nature and nations through plagues that reveal His justice and mercy. Despite clear signs, Pharaoh’s hardened heart resists God’s call to freedom for His people. This chapter encourages believers to trust God’s protection, obey His commands, and acknowledge His unmatched sovereignty.

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