Exodus 7:24
New International Version
And all the Egyptians dug along the Nile to get drinking water, because they could not drink the water of the river.

New Living Translation
Then all the Egyptians dug along the riverbank to find drinking water, for they couldn’t drink the water from the Nile.

English Standard Version
And all the Egyptians dug along the Nile for water to drink, for they could not drink the water of the Nile.

Berean Standard Bible
So all the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink, because they could not drink the water from the river.

King James Bible
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.

New King James Version
So all the Egyptians dug all around the river for water to drink, because they could not drink the water of the river.

New American Standard Bible
So all the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink, because they could not drink from the water of the Nile.

NASB 1995
So all the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink, for they could not drink of the water of the Nile.

NASB 1977
So all the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink, for they could not drink of the water of the Nile.

Legacy Standard Bible
So all the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink, for they could not drink of the water of the Nile.

Amplified Bible
So all the Egyptians dug near the river for water to drink, because they could not drink the water of the Nile.

Christian Standard Bible
All the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink because they could not drink the water from the river.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
All the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink because they could not drink the water from the river.

American Standard Version
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.

Contemporary English Version
The Egyptians had to dig holes along the banks of the Nile for drinking water, because water from the river was unfit to drink.

English Revised Version
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
All the Egyptians dug along the Nile for water to drink because they couldn't drink any of the water from the river.

Good News Translation
All the Egyptians dug along the bank of the river for drinking water, because they were not able to drink water from the river.

International Standard Version
All the Egyptians dug around the Nile River for water to drink because they could not drink from the water in the Nile River.

Majority Standard Bible
So all the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink, because they could not drink the water from the river.

NET Bible
All the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink, because they could not drink the water of the Nile.

New Heart English Bible
All the Egyptians dug around the river for water to drink; for they couldn't drink of the water of the river.

Webster's Bible Translation
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.

World English Bible
All the Egyptians dug around the river for water to drink; for they couldn’t drink the river water.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and all the Egyptians seek water all around the River to drink, for they have not been able to drink of the waters of the River.

Young's Literal Translation
and all the Egyptians seek water round about the river to drink, for they have not been able to drink of the waters of the River.

Smith's Literal Translation
And all the Egyptians will dig round about the river for water to drink; for they will not be able to drink from the water of the river.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And all the Egyptians dug round about the river for water to drink: for they could not drink of the water of the river.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then all the Egyptians dug along the borders of the river for water to drink. For they were not able to drink from the water of the river.

New American Bible
All the Egyptians had to dig round about the Nile for drinking water, since they could not drink any water from the Nile.

New Revised Standard Version
And all the Egyptians had to dig along the Nile for water to drink, for they could not drink the water of the river.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And all the Egyptians dug round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all the Egyptians dug around the river to drink water, because they were not able to drink from the waters of the river.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And all the Egyptians dug round about the river, so as to drink water, for they could not drink water from the river.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The First Plague: Blood
23Instead, Pharaoh turned around, went into his palace, and did not take any of this to heart. 24So all the Egyptians dug around the Nile for water to drink, because they could not drink the water from the river. 25And seven full days passed after the LORD had struck the Nile.…

Cross References
Exodus 17:1-7
Then the whole congregation of Israel left the Desert of Sin, moving from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. / So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?” / But the people thirsted for water there, and they grumbled against Moses: “Why have you brought us out of Egypt—to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” ...

Numbers 20:2-13
Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron. / The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD! / Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? ...

Psalm 78:15-16
He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as abundant as the seas. / He brought streams from the stone and made water flow down like rivers.

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

Isaiah 41:17-18
The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. / I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs.

Isaiah 48:21
They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He made water flow for them from the rock; He split the rock, and water gushed out.

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

John 4:10-14
Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” / “Sir,” the woman replied, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then will You get this living water? / Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock?” ...

John 7:37-38
On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

Revelation 8:10-11
Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven and landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. / The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter like wormwood oil, and many people died from the bitter waters.

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.”

2 Kings 2:19-22
Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please note, our lord, that the city’s location is good, as you can see. But the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.” / “Bring me a new bowl,” he replied, “and put some salt in it.” So they brought it to him, / and Elisha went out to the spring, cast the salt into it, and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will it cause death or unfruitfulness.’” ...

2 Kings 3:9-20
So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom set out, and after they had traveled a roundabout route for seven days, they had no water for their army or for their animals. / “Alas,” said the king of Israel, “for the LORD has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab!” / But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.” ...

Nehemiah 9:15
In their hunger You gave them bread from heaven; in their thirst You brought them water from the rock. You told them to go in and possess the land that You had sworn to give them.

Nehemiah 9:20
You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold Your manna from their mouths, and You gave them water for their thirst.


Treasury of Scripture

And all the Egyptians dig round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.

for they

Exodus 7:18-21
And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river…

Jump to Previous
Able Couldn't Digged Drink Drinking Drinking-Water Dug Egyptians Holes Nile River Round Seek Water Waters
Jump to Next
Able Couldn't Digged Drink Drinking Drinking-Water Dug Egyptians Holes Nile River Round Seek 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














So all the Egyptians
This phrase emphasizes the collective experience of the Egyptian people. The Hebrew word for "all" (כָּל, kol) signifies the totality of the population, indicating that the plague affected every individual, regardless of status or wealth. This collective suffering underscores the severity of God's judgment and the futility of relying on human resources when divine intervention is at play. Historically, Egypt was a powerful and resourceful nation, yet even they were brought to their knees by the hand of God, demonstrating His supreme authority over all nations.

dug along the Nile
The act of digging along the Nile reflects the desperation and resourcefulness of the Egyptians. The Hebrew verb used here (חָפַר, chafar) implies a laborious and determined effort to find relief. The Nile was central to Egyptian life, both economically and spiritually, often revered as a deity. By forcing the Egyptians to dig for water, God was challenging their reliance on the Nile and their pantheon of gods, showing that He alone is the true source of life and sustenance. Archaeological evidence supports the importance of the Nile, as it was the lifeblood of Egyptian civilization, providing water, transportation, and fertile soil.

for water to drink
Water is a basic necessity for life, and the Egyptians' need to find drinkable water highlights their vulnerability. The Hebrew word for "water" (מַיִם, mayim) is often used in Scripture to symbolize life, purity, and divine provision. In this context, the lack of drinkable water serves as a physical manifestation of spiritual barrenness and the consequences of opposing God's will. The Egyptians' plight serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking spiritual nourishment from God, the living water, as emphasized in John 4:14.

because they could not drink the water from the river
This phrase underscores the complete transformation of the Nile from a life-giving source to a symbol of judgment. The Hebrew word for "drink" (שָׁתָה, shatah) is used here to indicate the inability to consume what was once a reliable resource. The river, turned to blood, represents the consequences of Pharaoh's hardened heart and refusal to heed God's command. This transformation serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the futility of resisting His will. The historical context of the plagues reveals God's purpose in demonstrating His power not only to the Egyptians but also to the Israelites, affirming His covenant and faithfulness to His people.

(24) All the Egyptians digged round about the river.--Wells may be sunk in any part of the alluvium, and will always yield water, which is, however, brackish and unpalatable. This water is, no doubt, derived by percolation from the river; but the percolation is a slow process, and blood would scarcely percolate far. The water obtained was probably in the ground before the miracle took place, and was not made subject to it.

Verses 24-25. - Necessity is the mother of invention. Finding the Nile water continue utterly undrinkable, the Egyptians bethought themselves of a means of obtaining water to which they never had recourse in ordinary times. This was to dig pits or wells at some distance from the river, and so obtain the moisture that lay in the ground, no doubt derived from the river originally, but already there before the change of the water into blood took place. This, it appears, remained water, and was drinkable, though probably not very agreeable, since, owing to the nitrous quality of the soil in Egypt, well-water has always a bitter and brackish taste. It sufficed, however, for drinking and culinary purposes during the "seven days" that the plague continued (ver. 25). Verse 24. - All the Egyptians digged. Not the Hebrews. The water stored in the houses of the Hebrews in reservoirs, cisterns, and the like, was (it would seem) not vitiated; and this would suffice for the consumption of seven days. Water to drink. Blood would not become water by percolation through earth, as Canon Cook appears to think ('Speaker's Commentary,' vol. 1. p. 278); but there might have been sufficient water in the ground before the plague began, to fill the wells dug, for seven days.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So all
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the Egyptians
מִצְרַ֛יִם (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4713: Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt

dug
וַיַּחְפְּר֧וּ (way·yaḥ·pə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2658: To pry into, to delve, to explore

around
סְבִיבֹ֥ת (sə·ḇî·ḇōṯ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

the Nile
הַיְאֹ֖ר (hay·’ōr)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2975: Nile -- a channel, a fosse, canal, shaft, the Nile, the Tigris

for water
מַ֣יִם (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

to drink,
לִשְׁתּ֑וֹת (liš·tō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

because
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they could
יָֽכְלוּ֙ (yā·ḵə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

not
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

drink
לִשְׁתֹּ֔ת (liš·tōṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

the water
מִמֵּימֵ֖י (mim·mê·mê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

from the river.
הַיְאֹֽר׃ (hay·’ōr)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2975: Nile -- a channel, a fosse, canal, shaft, the Nile, the Tigris


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OT Law: Exodus 7:24 All the Egyptians dug around the river (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 7:23
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