Exodus 9:15 Meaning and Explanation
“For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will use His power to strike Pharaoh and Egypt with plague, resulting in their destruction.
The Context of Exodus 9:15
God warns of the ultimate consequence of Pharaoh's defiance: complete destruction through plague.
What Does Exodus 9:15 Mean?
The stretching out of God's hand is a repeated image of divine action—the same gesture that parted the sea. Now it brings pestilence (plague). The 'hand' represents God's direct, personal involvement in judgment.
Being 'cut off from the earth' suggests removal, elimination, or separation from the living. This is the threat of complete destruction, not mere discipline but erasure. Yet Pharaoh continues to resist.
Exodus 9:15 in the Original Language
pestilence (דָּבֶר) — plague or deadly disease, a widespread affliction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 9:15
What does Exodus 9:15 mean?
God will use His power to strike Pharaoh and Egypt with plague, resulting in their destruction.
What is the context of Exodus 9:15?
God warns of the ultimate consequence of Pharaoh's defiance: complete destruction through plague.