This is what the LORD says: By this you will know that I am the LORD. Behold, with the staff in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will turn to blood.
Here is the first of the ten plagues, the turning of the water into blood, which was, 1. A dreadful plague, and very grievous. The very sight of such vast rolling streams of blood, pure blood no doubt, florid and high-colored, could not but strike a horror upon people: much more afflictive were the consequences of it.
Commenting on Exodus 7:14-25
Thus saith the Lord, in this thou shalt know that I am the Lord,.... By the following instance of his power and vengeance: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in my hand; which though in the hand of Moses, Exo 7:18 yet he being his ambassador, and representing him, is said to be in the hand of the Lord; and with this...
Aaron lifted up the rod and smote the waters, &c.--Whether the water was changed into real blood, or only the appearance of it (and Omnipotence could effect the one as easily as the other), this was a severe calamity. How great must have been the disappointment and disgust throughout the land when the river became of a blood red color, of which they had a...