Definition: And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, 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 Egypt, both in [vessels of] wood, and in [vessels of] stone.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 7:19. It’s a really dramatic and terrifying prophecy about God’s plan to destroy Egypt. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: God is going to use the waters of Egypt as a weapon against them. He wants to make them bleed – literally, to spill blood – throughout the entire country. Let’s unpack each part: “And the LORD spake unto Moses…” : This means God is directly speaking to Moses, who was tasked with leading the Israelites out of Egypt. “Say unto Aaron…” : Aaron was a priest in Israel's temple and responsible for carrying the sacred vessels (like bowls and jars) containing water. “…Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters…” : This is the key instruction. God wants Aaron to raise his rod – which symbolizes power and authority – and extend his hand across all the waterways of Egypt. “...upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water…” : He wants to make a huge area of Egypt soaked in blood. “…that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt…” : This is the core of the prophecy – it means that the entire country will become a place of bloodshed. “Both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.” : This is a really strange part! God wants to make the blood stain both wooden objects (like boats or barrels) and stone structures (like temples). What’s the point? The verse describes a terrifying scenario: God is going to unleash a devastating flood of blood upon Egypt, causing widespread destruction and death. It's a powerful message about God’s judgment and his intent to bring about His plan of liberation. Important Note: This is a very symbolic passage. It wasn’t meant to be taken literally – it was a prophetic vision to prepare Moses for the coming of the Exodus. --- Do you want me to explain any aspect of this verse in more detail, perhaps focusing on its symbolism or historical context? For example, I could: Discuss the significance of the "rod" and its role. Explain the potential meaning of “vessels of wood” and “vessels of stone.” Connect it to other biblical prophecies about God’s wrath?