Topical Encyclopedia The Plague of Hail is one of the ten plagues that God inflicted upon Egypt as described in the Book of Exodus. This particular plague is the seventh in the series and serves as a demonstration of God's power and judgment against Pharaoh and the Egyptian deities. The narrative is found in Exodus 9:13-35.Biblical Account The Lord instructed Moses to rise early in the morning and confront Pharaoh with a message: "This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: 'Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. Otherwise, I will send all My plagues against you and your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth'" (Exodus 9:13-14). The purpose of the plagues, including the hail, was to demonstrate the sovereignty of the God of Israel over all creation and to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. God warned Pharaoh that He would send a severe hailstorm, unlike any that had ever occurred in Egypt. Moses was instructed to tell Pharaoh to bring his livestock and everything he had in the field to a place of safety, as the hail would fall on every person and animal left in the open field and they would die (Exodus 9:18-19). The Plague Unleashed Despite the warning, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, and he did not heed the command of the Lord. Consequently, the Lord sent thunder, hail, and lightning flashing down to the earth. The hail struck down everything in the fields throughout Egypt—both man and beast—and shattered every tree (Exodus 9:23-25). The land of Goshen, where the Israelites resided, was spared from the devastation, highlighting God's protection over His people. Pharaoh's Response The severity of the plague prompted Pharaoh to summon Moses and Aaron. He confessed, "This time I have sinned; the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Pray to the LORD, for there has been enough of God’s thunder and hail. I will let you go; you do not need to stay any longer" (Exodus 9:27-28). Moses agreed to pray for the cessation of the storm, but he also warned Pharaoh that he knew he and his officials still did not fear the Lord God (Exodus 9:30). After Moses prayed, the thunder and hail ceased, and the rain stopped. However, as soon as the plague was lifted, Pharaoh's heart was hardened once more, and he refused to let the Israelites go (Exodus 9:34-35). Theological Significance The Plague of Hail serves as a powerful testament to God's control over nature and His ability to protect His people while executing judgment on His enemies. It underscores the futility of resisting God's will and the consequences of a hardened heart. The sparing of the land of Goshen illustrates God's covenantal faithfulness to Israel, setting them apart as His chosen people. The narrative also highlights the theme of repentance and the insincerity of Pharaoh's contrition. Despite acknowledging his sin, Pharaoh's repentance was superficial, driven by a desire to alleviate the immediate suffering rather than a genuine change of heart. This serves as a cautionary tale about the nature of true repentance and the dangers of a hardened heart against God. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 9:18-34Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as has not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now. Nave's Topical Index Library On his Father'S Silence, Because of the Plague of Hail. Concerning the Ten Plagues which came Upon the Egyptians. The Seventh vial. The Sixth vision "On Earth" On Psalm Lxxvii. Or Lxxviii. On the Holy Ghost and his Descent Upon the Apostles Lectures of S. Cyril of Jerusalem Division ii. --The Writings. The Cost of Being Cruel and Stubborn The First Trumpet. Resources What were the emerods God afflicted the Philistines with in 1 Samuel 5? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the seven trumpets of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org Why was God so angry at David for taking the census? | GotQuestions.org Plague: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Plague of Boils and Open Sores Plague: As a Judgment on the Egyptians Plague: Death of the Firstborn Plague: Denounced As a Judgment Plague: On the Israelites for the Sin of Peor Plague: On the Israelites of Serpents Plague: On the Israelites: After Complaining About the Destruction of Korah and his Family Plague: On the Israelites: After Eating the Quail Meat Plague: On the Israelites: After Refusing to Enter the Promised Land Plague: On the Israelites: On Account of David's Sin The Plague or Pestilence was Attributed to a Destroying Angel The Plague or Pestilence: Described As Noisome The Plague or Pestilence: Desolating Effects of The Plague or Pestilence: Egypt often Afflicted With The Plague or Pestilence: Equally Fatal Day and Night The Plague or Pestilence: Fatal to Man and Beast The Plague or Pestilence: God's Judgments Upon the Apostasy The Plague or Pestilence: Inflicted by God The Plague or Pestilence: Israel Threatened With, As a Punishment for Disobedience The Plague or Pestilence: Often Broke out Suddenly The Plague or Pestilence: Often Followed War and Famine The Plague or Pestilence: One of God's Four Sore Judgments The Plague or Pestilence: Predicted to Happen Before Destruction of Jerusalem The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: David's Subjects for his Numbering the People The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Despising Manna The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Making Golden Calf The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Murmuring at Destruction of Korah The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Worshipping Baal-Peor The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: The Egyptians The Plague or Pestilence: Specially Fatal in Cities The Plague or Pestilence: The Diseased State of Man's Heart The Plague or Pestilence: The Jews Sought Deliverance From, by Prayer Related Terms |
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