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Exodus 7:18

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 7:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the fish that are in the river shall die, and the river shall become foul; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink water from the river.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the fish that are in the river shall die, and the river shall become foul; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink water from the river.
Exodus 7:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river`s brink to meet him; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thy hand.
16And thou shalt say unto him, Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews, hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou hast not hearkened.
17Thus saith Jehovah, In this thou shalt know that I am Jehovah: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in my hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
18And the fish that are in the river shall die, and the river shall become foul; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink water from the river.
19And Jehovah said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thy hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, over their streams, and over their pools, and over all their ponds of water, that they may become blood; and there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.
20And 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.
21And the fish that were in the river died; and the river became foul, and the Egyptians could not drink water from the river; and the blood was throughout all the land of Egypt.
← Exodus 7:17Exodus 7:19 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the fish that is in the river shall die, etc.] Their element being changed, and they not able to live in any other but water: and the river shall stink; with the blood, into which it should be congealed, and with the putrefied bodies of fishes floating in it: and the Egyptians shall loath to drink of the water of the river; the very colour of it, looking like blood, would set them against it, and create a nausea in them; or “shall be weary” f205, tired of drinking it in a little time, through the loathsomeness of it; or be weary in digging about it, (<020724>Exodus 7:24) to get some clear water to drink of; or in seeking to find out ways and methods to cure the waters, that so they might…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Shall lothe - The water of the Nile has always been regarded by the Egyptians as a blessing unique to their land. It is the only pure and wholesome water in their country, since the water in wells and cisterns is unwholesome, while rain water seldom falls, and fountains are extremely rare. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the fish: Exo 7:21 Egyptians: "The water of Egypt," says Abbe Mascrier, "is so delicious, that one would not wish the heat to be less, or to be delivered from the sensation of thirst. The Turks find it so exquisite, that they excite themselves to drink of it by eating salt." "A person," adds Mr. Harmer, "who never before heard of the deliciousness of the Nile water, and of the large quantities which on that account are drunk of it, will, I am sure, find an energy in those words of Moses to Pharaoh, the Egyptians shall loathe to drink of the water of the river, which he never did before." shall loathe: Exo 7:24; Num 11:20, Num 21:5 Exodus 7:19”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification