Definition: And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that [were] in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that [were] in the river were turned to blood.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 7:20. It's a really significant and dramatic passage about God’s plan to stop a massive flood. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: God’s Plan: The Bible says God wants to end the great flood that had been devastating for millennia. He has a specific plan – he wants to stop it. Moses and Aaron: These are Moses, the leader of Israel, and his brother Aaron. They're part of the group tasked with carrying out this plan. Following Instructions: God instructs them to do something very unusual: they lift up a rod (a staff) and smote (hit or strike) the waters in the river. The Result – Blood! This is where it gets shocking. The verse says that all the water turned into blood. Let's unpack it further: “As the LORD commanded” : This means God gave them a specific instruction to do this. It wasn’t just any command; it was a very deliberate and important one. “He lifted up the rod, and smote…” : The rod is like a tool for striking or directing something. God used this rod to directly target the water. “The sight of Pharaoh” : This refers to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. He was in charge of managing the river and its resources. It’s important because God wanted to show him that he was not alone in his decision. “In the sight of his servants” : This means everyone watching – the Egyptians, the people of Israel, and maybe even those who were observing from afar. Why is this so significant? This verse is considered one of the most shocking parts of the Old Testament because it's a direct demonstration of God’s power and judgment. It shows that God isn’t just concerned with the overall outcome of the flood; He's actively controlling it. Important Note: The Bible doesn't fully explain why God chose this specific action. It’s generally interpreted as a demonstration of God’s absolute power and his desire to protect humanity from a catastrophic event. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Discuss the context of this passage within the larger story of the creation and flood? Talk about the symbolism behind this event (like it representing God’s control over a natural disaster)?