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⇱ Exodus 7:20 Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood.

Bible > Exodus > Chapter 7 > Verse 20
◄ Exodus 7:20 ►
New International Version
Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood.

New Living Translation
So Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD commanded them. As Pharaoh and all of his officials watched, Aaron raised his staff and struck the water of the Nile. Suddenly, the whole river turned to blood!

English Standard Version
Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded. In the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants he lifted up the staff and struck the water in the Nile, and all the water in the Nile turned into blood.

Berean Standard Bible
Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the LORD commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck 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.

New American Standard Bible
So Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded. And he lifted up the staff and struck the water that was in the Nile in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants; and all the water that was in the Nile was turned into blood.

NASB 1995
So Moses and Aaron did even as the LORD had commanded. And he lifted up the staff and struck the water that was in the Nile, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, and all the water that was in the Nile was turned to blood.

NASB 1977
So Moses and Aaron did even as the LORD had commanded. And he lifted up the staff and struck the water that was in the Nile, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, and all the water that was in the Nile was turned to blood.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Moses and Aaron did thus, as Yahweh had commanded. And he raised up the staff and struck the water that was in the Nile, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, and all the water that was in the Nile was turned to blood.

Amplified Bible
So Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded; Aaron lifted up the staff and struck the waters in the Nile, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, and all the water that was in the Nile was turned into blood.

Christian Standard Bible
Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the sight of Pharaoh and his officials, he raised the staff and struck the water in the Nile, and all the water in the Nile was turned to blood.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the sight of Pharaoh and his officials, he raised the staff and struck the water in the Nile, and all the water in the Nile was turned to blood.

American Standard Version
And Moses and Aaron did so, as Jehovah 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.

Contemporary English Version
Moses and Aaron obeyed the LORD. Aaron held out his stick, then struck the Nile, as the king and his officials watched. The river turned into blood,

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Moses and Aaron did as the LORD had commanded. In front of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised his staff and struck the Nile. All the water in the river turned into blood.

Good News Translation
Then Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded. In the presence of the king and his officers, Aaron raised his stick and struck the surface of the river, and all the water in it was turned into blood.

International Standard Version
Moses and Aaron did just what the LORD had commanded. Aaron raised his staff and struck the water in the Nile River in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and all the water in the Nile River turned to blood.

NET Bible
Moses and Aaron did so, just as the LORD had commanded. Moses raised the staff and struck the water that was in the Nile right before the eyes of Pharaoh and his servants, and all the water that was in the Nile was turned to blood.

New Heart English Bible
Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and struck 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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 into blood.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood.

World English Bible
Moses and Aaron did so, as Yahweh commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and struck 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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Moses and Aaron do so, as YHWH has commanded, and he lifts up [his hand] with the rod, and strikes the waters which [are] in the River, before the eyes of Pharaoh and before the eyes of his servants, and all the waters which [are] in the River are turned to blood,

Young's Literal Translation
And Moses and Aaron do so, as Jehovah hath commanded, and he lifteth up his hand with the rod, and smiteth the waters which are in the River, before the eyes of Pharaoh, and before the eyes of his servants, and all the waters which are in the River are turned to blood,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Moses and Aaron will do so as Jehovah commanded; and he will lift up the rod and will smite the water which is in the river, in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants; and all the waters which are in the river shall be turned to blood.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Moses and Aaron did as the Lord had commanded: and lifting up the rod he struck the water of the river before Pharao and his servants: and it was turned into blood.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had instructed. And lifting up the staff, he struck the water of the river in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants. And it was turned into blood.

New American Bible
This, then, is what Moses and Aaron did, exactly as the LORD had commanded. Aaron raised his staff and struck the waters in the Nile in full view of Pharaoh and his servants, and all the water in the Nile was changed into blood.

New Revised Standard Version
Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD commanded. In the sight of Pharaoh and of his officials he lifted up the staff and struck the water in the river, and all the water in the river was turned into blood,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD had commanded them; and Aaron lifted up the staff which was in his hand and smote the waters of 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 into blood.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And in this way Moshe and Aaron did just as LORD JEHOVAH commanded them, and Aaron lifted his staff and struck the water that was in the river before the eyes of Pharaoh and before the eyes of his Servants, and all of the waters that were in the river were blood for them.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and Moses and Aaron did so, as the Lord commanded them; and Aaron having lifted up his hand with his rod, smote the water in the river before Pharao, and before his servants, and changed all the water in the river into blood.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The First Plague: Blood
…19And the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt—over their rivers and canals and ponds and reservoirs—that they may become blood.’ There will be blood throughout the land of Egypt, even in the vessels of wood and stone.” 20Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood. 21The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. And there was blood throughout the land of Egypt.…

Cross References
Psalm 78:44
He turned their rivers to blood, and from their streams they could not drink.

Psalm 105:29
He turned their waters to blood and caused their fish to die.

Revelation 16:4-6
And the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they turned to blood. / And I heard the angel of the waters say: “Righteous are You, O Holy One, who is and was, because You have brought these judgments. / For they have spilled the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink, as they deserve.”

John 2:7-9
Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. / “Now draw some out,” He said, “and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, / and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside

2 Timothy 3:8
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.

Acts 7:36
He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.

Hebrews 11:29
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.

2 Peter 2:9
if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

Romans 9:17
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

1 Corinthians 10:1-2
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. / They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

Deuteronomy 11:3
the signs and works He did in Egypt to Pharaoh king of Egypt and all his land;

Nehemiah 9:10
You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day.

Joshua 24:5-7
Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and afterward I brought you out. / When I brought your fathers out of Egypt and you reached the Red Sea, the Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horsemen as far as the Red Sea. / So your fathers cried out to the LORD, and He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, over whom He brought the sea and engulfed them. Your very eyes saw what I did to the Egyptians. Then you lived in the wilderness for a long time.

Isaiah 51:9-10
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon? / Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over?

Ezekiel 20:9-10
But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were living, in whose sight I had revealed Myself to Israel by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. / So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.


Exodus 17:5,6,9-12
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go…

Numbers 20:8-12
Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink…

all the waters.

Genesis 7:17,18
And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth…

Psalm 78:44
And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.

Psalm 105:29
He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.

Jump to Previous
Aaron Blood Bondmen Changed Commanded Lifted Moses Nile Officials Pharaoh Presence Raised River Rod Servants Sight Smote Staff Stretched Struck Turned Water Waters
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Aaron Blood Bondmen Changed Commanded Lifted Moses Nile Officials Pharaoh Presence Raised River Rod Servants Sight Smote Staff Stretched Struck Turned Water Waters
Exodus 7
1. Moses and Aaron are encouraged to go again to Pharaoh
8. Aaron's rod is turned into a serpent
11. The sorcerers do the like; but their rods are swallowed up by Aaron's
13. Pharaoh's heart is hardened
14. God's message to Pharaoh
19. The river is turned into blood; and the consequent distress of the Egyptians














Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded;
This phrase highlights the obedience of Moses and Aaron to God's instructions. Their actions demonstrate faith and trust in God's plan, a recurring theme throughout the Bible. Obedience to divine commands is a central tenet in Scripture, as seen in Deuteronomy 28, where blessings are promised for obedience. This act of obedience also prefigures Christ's perfect obedience to the Father, as seen in Philippians 2:8.

in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials,
The presence of Pharaoh and his officials signifies the public nature of this miracle. It was not done in secret but was a direct challenge to the authority and power of Egypt. Pharaoh, considered a god by the Egyptians, is confronted with the power of the true God. This public display is reminiscent of Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18, where God's power is demonstrated before the people.

Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile,
The staff is a symbol of God's authority and power, first introduced in Exodus 4:2-4 when God turns it into a serpent. The Nile River was the lifeblood of Egypt, essential for agriculture and daily life. Striking the Nile with the staff signifies God's control over creation and judgment against the Egyptian gods, particularly Hapi, the god of the Nile. This act foreshadows Christ's authority over nature, as seen in His calming of the storm in Mark 4:39.

and all the water was turned to blood.
The transformation of water into blood is the first of the ten plagues, each targeting specific aspects of Egyptian life and their pantheon of gods. Blood symbolizes life and death, and this plague signifies judgment and the beginning of God's deliverance of Israel. This event prefigures the blood of Christ, which brings both judgment and salvation, as seen in the New Testament, particularly in Hebrews 9:22, which states that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The prophet and leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. He acts in obedience to God's command.

2. Aaron
Moses' brother and spokesperson, who assists Moses in confronting Pharaoh and performing signs.

3. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, whose heart is hardened against letting the Israelites go, despite witnessing God's power.

4. The Nile River
A vital water source for Egypt, symbolizing life and prosperity, which God turns to blood as a sign of His power and judgment.

5. Egyptian Officials
Witnesses to the miracle, representing the Egyptian authority and their resistance to God's will.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Command
Moses and Aaron's actions demonstrate the importance of following God's instructions, even when facing powerful opposition.

God's Sovereignty Over Nature
The transformation of the Nile's waters shows God's control over creation, reminding us of His ultimate authority.

Judgment and Mercy
The plagues serve as both a judgment against Egypt and a call to repentance, highlighting God's justice and mercy.

The Hardness of Heart
Pharaoh's resistance illustrates the danger of a hardened heart, urging us to remain open to God's voice.

Faith in Action
The faith of Moses and Aaron is evident in their willingness to act on God's word, encouraging us to trust and act on our faith.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Exodus 7:20?

2. How does Exodus 7:20 demonstrate God's power over creation and false gods?

3. What role did Moses and Aaron play in executing God's command in Exodus 7:20?

4. How does the miracle in Exodus 7:20 foreshadow Christ's miracles in the Gospels?

5. How can we trust God's authority in our lives, as shown in Exodus 7:20?

6. What does Exodus 7:20 teach about obedience to God's instructions in difficult situations?

7. How did Moses and Aaron turn the Nile's water into blood in Exodus 7:20?

8. What historical evidence supports the Nile turning to blood as described in Exodus 7:20?

9. How does Exodus 7:20 align with scientific understanding of natural phenomena?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 7?

11. What were the Ten Plagues of Egypt in the Bible?

12. What causes rivers to turn blood red?

13. What are examples of miracles in the Bible?

14. Exodus 7:22–24: Why could Egypt’s magicians replicate the plague if it was supposedly divine judgment?
What Does Exodus 7:20 Mean
Did just as the LORD had commanded

- The verse opens with simple obedience. Moses and Aaron “did just as the LORD had commanded” (Exodus 7:20).

- Obedience was not optional; it was the channel through which God’s power flowed. Compare Genesis 6:22, where Noah “did everything that God had commanded him,” and John 14:15, where Jesus says, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

- Their faith expressed itself in action, trusting that the LORD’s word would accomplish what He promised (Isaiah 55:11).

In the presence of Pharaoh and his officials

- The act was public, confronting Egypt’s highest authority. God wanted Pharaoh to see firsthand that the God of Israel held power over Egypt’s prized river.

- Similar public displays appear in 1 Kings 18, when Elijah called down fire before the prophets of Baal, and in Acts 4:13–14, where Peter and John healed a man before the Sanhedrin.

- The confrontation fulfilled God’s earlier word in Exodus 7:4 that He would “lay My hand on Egypt” and compel acknowledgment of His sovereignty.

Aaron raised the staff and struck the water

- Aaron’s staff symbolized God’s delegated authority (Exodus 4:17). Each use of the staff—turning into a serpent (Exodus 7:10) and now striking the Nile—reinforced that the power belonged to God, not the men.

- Striking recalls the later miracle in Exodus 17:6, when Moses struck the rock and water flowed out—again, a tangible sign that God commands nature.

- This action dismantled Egypt’s trust in the Nile as a life-source and as a deity (e.g., their god Hapi). Romans 1:23–25 shows how God exposes false worship by confronting idols.

All the water was turned to blood

- The transformation was total: “all the water of the Nile” (Exodus 7:20). Not symbolism, but a literal miracle.

- The judgment mirrored Genesis 4:10, where blood cried out from the ground—here Egypt’s lifeblood river cried out against oppression.

- Revelation 16:3–6 echoes this plague in the final judgments, underscoring that God’s justice spans Scripture.

- The Nile turning to blood also previewed the Passover, when blood would mean both judgment and deliverance (Exodus 12:13).

summary

Exodus 7:20 records obedient servants acting publicly under God’s authority to confront a false power, resulting in a miraculous, literal judgment that exposed Egypt’s idolatry and affirmed the LORD’s supremacy.

(20) He lifted up the rod.--"He" is, undoubtedly, Aaron. (See Exodus 7:19.)

In the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants.--If the occasion was one of a Nile festival, Pharaoh would have "gone out to the water" (Exodus 7:15) accompanied by all the great officers of the Court, by a large body of the priests, and vast numbers of the people. If it was a mere occasion of bodily ablution, he would have had with him a pretty numerous train of attendants. In either case considerable publicity was given to the miracle, which was certainly not "done in a corner."

Verse 20. - He lifted up the rod. "He" must be understood to mean "Aaron" (see ver. 19); but the writer is too much engrossed with the general run of his narrative to be careful about minutia. All that he wants to impress upon us is, that the rod was used as an instrument for the working of the miracle. He is not thinking of who it was that used it. In the sight of Pharaoh. See the comment on ver. 15. And of his servants. Either "his courtiers generally," or, at any rate, a large troop of attendants.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Moses
מֹשֶׁ֨ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

and Aaron
וְאַהֲרֹ֜ן (wə·’a·hă·rōn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

did
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־ (way·ya·‘ă·śū-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

just as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

had commanded;
צִוָּ֣ה (ṣiw·wāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

in the presence
לְעֵינֵ֣י (lə·‘ê·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

of Pharaoh
פַרְעֹ֔ה (p̄ar·‘ōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

and his officials,
עֲבָדָ֑יו (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

he raised
וַיָּ֤רֶם (way·yā·rem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise

the staff
בַּמַּטֶּה֙ (bam·maṭ·ṭeh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe

and struck
וַיַּ֤ךְ (way·yaḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

the water
הַמַּ֙יִם֙ (ham·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

of the Nile,
בַּיְאֹ֔ר (bay·’ōr)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2975: Nile -- a channel, a fosse, canal, shaft, the Nile, the Tigris

and all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the water
הַמַּ֥יִם (ham·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

was turned
וַיֵּהָֽפְכ֛וּ (way·yê·hā·p̄ə·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2015: To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert

to blood.
לְדָֽם׃ (lə·ḏām)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed


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OT Law: Exodus 7:20 Moses and Aaron did so as Yahweh (Exo. Ex)