Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ then say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a snake.” New Living Translation “Pharaoh will demand, ‘Show me a miracle.’ When he does this, say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down in front of Pharaoh, and it will become a serpent.’” English Standard Version “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” Berean Standard Bible “When Pharaoh tells you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ you are to say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a serpent.” Berean Literal Bible “When Pharaoh speaks to you⁺, saying, ‘Give for yourselves a wonder,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before the face of Pharaoh,’ let it become a monster.” King James Bible When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. New King James Version “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Show a miracle for yourselves,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and let it become a serpent.’ ” New American Standard Bible “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Work a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, so that it may turn into a serpent.’” NASB 1995 “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Work a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” NASB 1977 “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Work a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” Legacy Standard Bible “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Work a miraculous wonder,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” Amplified Bible “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Work a miracle [to prove your authority],’ then you say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, so that it may become a serpent.’” Berean Annotated Bible “When Pharaoh (great house) tells you⁺, ‘Perform a miracle, you are to say to Aaron (light bringer), ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, and it will become a serpent {tannin}. Christian Standard Bible “When Pharaoh tells you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh. It will become a serpent.’ ” Holman Christian Standard Bible When Pharaoh tells you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh. It will become a serpent.’” American Standard Version When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Show a wonder for you; then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent. English Revised Version When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a wonder for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent. GOD'S WORD® Translation "When Pharaoh says to you, 'Give me a sign to prove that God has sent you,' tell Aaron, 'Take your shepherd's staff and throw it down in front of Pharaoh,' and it will become a large snake." Good News Translation "If the king demands that you prove yourselves by performing a miracle, tell Aaron to take his walking stick and throw it down in front of the king, and it will turn into a snake." International Standard Version "When Pharaoh says to you, 'Perform a miraculous sign,' then you are to say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and throw it in front of Pharaoh.' It will become a serpent." NET Bible "When Pharaoh says to you, 'Do a miracle,' and you say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,' it will become a snake." New Heart English Bible "When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, 'Perform a miracle.' then you shall tell Aaron, 'Take your rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent.'" Webster's Bible Translation When Pharaoh shall speak to you, saying, Show a miracle for you: then thou shalt say to Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“When Pharaoh tells you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ you are to say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a serpent.” World English Bible “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Perform a miracle!’ then you shall tell Aaron, ‘Take your rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, and it will become a serpent.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, Give a wonder for yourselves; then you have said to Aaron, Take your rod and cast [it] before Pharaoh—it becomes a dragon.” Berean Literal Bible “When Pharaoh speaks to you⁺, saying, ‘Give for yourselves a wonder,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before the face of Pharaoh,’ let it become a monster.” Young's Literal Translation 'When Pharaoh speaketh unto you, saying, Give for yourselves a wonder; then thou hast said unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast before Pharaoh -- it becometh a monster.' Smith's Literal Translation When Pharaoh shall speak to you, saying, Give ye a wonder for you; and say to Aaron, Take thy rod and cast down before Pharaoh, it shall be into a dragon. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhen Pharao shall say to you, Shew signs: thou shalt say to Aaron: Take thy rod, and cast it down before Pharao, and it shall be turned into a serpent. Catholic Public Domain Version “When Pharaoh will say to you, ‘Show signs,’ you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff, and cast it down before Pharaoh, and it will be turned into a snake.’ ” New American Bible When Pharaoh demands of you, “Produce a sign or wonder,” you will say to Aaron: “Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, and it will turn into a serpent.” New Revised Standard Version “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Perform a wonder,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, and it will become a snake.’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf Pharaoh should say to you, Show me a sign; then you shall say to Aaron, Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated “If Pharaoh says to you, ‘Give me a sign’, say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast before Pharaoh and it will be a dragonsea serpent.’” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying: Show a wonder for you; then thou shalt say unto Aaron: Take thy rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent.' Brenton Septuagint Translation Now if Pharao should speak to you, saying, Give us a sign or a wonder, then shalt thou say to thy brother Aaron, Take thy rod and cast it upon the ground before Pharao, and before his servants, and it shall become a serpent. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Aaron's Staff Becomes a Serpent8The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 9“When Pharaoh tells you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ you are to say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a serpent.” 10So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD had commanded. Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent.… Cross References When Pharaoh tells you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ Exodus 4:8-9 And the LORD said, “If they refuse to believe you or heed the witness of the first sign, they may believe that of the second. / But if they do not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. Then the water you take from the Nile will become blood on the ground.” Deuteronomy 13:1-2 If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, / and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes about, but he says, “Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,” John 2:18 On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?” you are to say to Aaron, Exodus 4:14-16 Then the anger of the LORD burned against Moses, and He said, “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well, and he is now on his way to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. / You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth. I will help both of you to speak, and I will teach you what to do. / He will speak to the people for you. He will be your spokesman, and it will be as if you were God to him. Exodus 4:27-28 Meanwhile, the LORD had said to Aaron, “Go and meet Moses in the wilderness.” So he went and met Moses at the mountain of God and kissed him. / And Moses told Aaron everything the LORD had sent him to say, and all the signs He had commanded him to perform. Exodus 4:29-31 Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the Israelites, / and Aaron relayed everything the LORD had said to Moses. And Moses performed the signs before the people, / and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their affliction, they bowed down and worshiped. ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ Exodus 4:2-4 And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. / “Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. / “Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail,” the LORD said to Moses, who reached out his hand and caught the snake, and it turned back into a staff in his hand. Exodus 4:17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform signs with it.” Exodus 14:16 And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. and it will become a serpent.” Numbers 21:6-9 So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died. / Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people. / Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” … John 3:14-15 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, / that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. Acts 28:3-6 Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand. / When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” / But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. … Exodus 4:21 The LORD instructed Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put within your power. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. Exodus 8:5-6 And the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers and canals and ponds, and cause the frogs to come up onto the land of Egypt.’” / So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. Exodus 9:8-12 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from the furnace; in the sight of Pharaoh, Moses is to toss it into the air. / It will become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and festering boils will break out on man and beast throughout the land.” / So they took soot from the furnace and stood before Pharaoh. Moses tossed it into the air, and festering boils broke out on man and beast. … Exodus 10:1-2 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials, that I may perform these miraculous signs of Mine among them, / and that you may tell your children and grandchildren how severely I dealt with the Egyptians when I performed miraculous signs among them, so that all of you may know that I am the LORD.” Treasury of Scripture When Pharaoh shall speak to you, saying, Show a miracle for you: then you shall say to Aaron, Take your rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. shew Isaiah 7:11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: John 2:18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? take Exodus 7:10-12 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent… Exodus 4:2,17,20 And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod… Exodus 9:23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. a serpent Psalm 74:12,13 For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth… Ezekiel 29:3 Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself. Jump to Previous Aaron Cast Earth Miracle Perform Pharaoh Prove Rod Serpent Show Speak Speaketh Speaks Staff Throw Wonder Work Working YourselvesJump to Next Aaron Cast Earth Miracle Perform Pharaoh Prove Rod Serpent Show Speak Speaketh Speaks Staff Throw Wonder Work Working YourselvesExodus 7 1. Moses and Aaron are encouraged to go again to Pharaoh8. 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 When Pharaoh tells you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ This phrase sets the stage for a confrontation between the power of God and the authority of Pharaoh, who was considered a god in Egyptian culture. The demand for a miracle reflects the Egyptian belief in magic and the supernatural. In the biblical narrative, miracles serve as signs of divine authority and power, distinguishing the true God from false gods. This request for a miracle is reminiscent of other biblical instances where signs are requested, such as in 1 Kings 18:24, where Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal. you are to say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a serpent. Persons / Places / Events 1. PharaohThe ruler of Egypt, representing opposition to God's will and a hardened heart against the Israelites. 2. Moses God's chosen leader to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, acting as God's spokesperson. 3. Aaron Moses' brother, who serves as his spokesperson and performs miracles with the staff. 4. Egypt The land where the Israelites are enslaved, representing a place of oppression and idolatry. 5. The Staff A symbol of God's power and authority, used to perform miracles and demonstrate God's supremacy. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and PowerThe transformation of the staff into a serpent is a demonstration of God's control over creation and His ability to perform miracles. Faith in Action Moses and Aaron's obedience in performing the miracle reflects their trust in God's instructions, encouraging believers to act in faith even when facing opposition. Confronting Hard Hearts Pharaoh's demand for a miracle highlights the challenge of dealing with hardened hearts, reminding us to pray for softened hearts and open minds to God's truth. Symbolism of the Staff The staff represents God's authority and presence, teaching us to rely on God's power rather than our own strength in spiritual battles. Miracles as a Testimony Miracles serve as a testimony to God's power and purpose, encouraging believers to share their experiences of God's work in their lives as a witness to others. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 7:9?2. How does Exodus 7:9 demonstrate God's power over Pharaoh's magicians? 3. What role does Aaron's staff play in God's plan in Exodus 7:9? 4. How does Exodus 7:9 connect to God's signs in the New Testament? 5. How can we trust God's authority in challenging situations, as seen in Exodus 7:9? 6. What lessons from Exodus 7:9 can we apply to our faith journey today? 7. How did Aaron's staff turning into a serpent demonstrate God's power in Exodus 7:9? 8. What is the significance of Pharaoh's magicians replicating the miracle in Exodus 7:9? 9. Why did God choose a serpent as the sign in Exodus 7:9? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 7? 11. What is the biblical perspective on snakes? 12. What lessons does the story of Moses and Aaron teach? 13. Exodus 7:22-24: Why could Egypt's magicians replicate the plague if it was supposedly divine judgment? 14. Exodus 6:7-9: If the Israelites still doubt Moses, what empirical proof did he provide to convince them then or later? What Does Exodus 7:9 Mean When Pharaoh tells you• God foresees the exact moment Pharaoh will demand proof. This shows the Lord’s omniscience, just as He “declares the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10). • The narrative reminds us that nothing in Egypt’s court will catch God off guard; events unfold according to His sovereign timetable, just as in Exodus 3:19-20 where He foretells Pharaoh’s resistance. “Perform a miracle” • Pharaoh wants visible evidence before he will listen. The same heart posture appears in John 4:48: “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.” • Miracles in Scripture serve to authenticate God’s messengers (Hebrews 2:3-4) and to expose unbelief when hearts remain hard (Luke 16:31). You are to say to Aaron • Moses receives the words, but Aaron delivers them, continuing the partnership begun in Exodus 4:14-16. • This teamwork underscores that God uses willing servants, even those who feel inadequate, paralleling Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13:2-3. Take your staff • The staff, once a shepherd’s tool, is now an emblem of divine authority (Exodus 4:2-4). • Like David’s sling (1 Samuel 17:45) or Elijah’s mantle (2 Kings 2:13-14), ordinary objects become powerful when surrendered to God. Throw it down before Pharaoh • The sign is performed openly “before Pharaoh,” so the highest earthly authority must confront the highest heavenly authority, echoing Elijah calling fire “before all the people” on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:37-39). • God’s works are not done in a corner; they are public and verifiable (Acts 26:26). And it will become a serpent • Serpents symbolized royal power in Egypt; the cobra graced Pharaoh’s crown. By turning a shepherd’s staff into a serpent, God declares superiority over Egypt’s gods, much like the plagues later dismantle those deities (Exodus 12:12). • The miracle also prefigures Christ’s victory over the serpent of old, Satan (Revelation 12:9), showing that God alone controls the forces of evil. summary Exodus 7:9 reveals a God who knows the future, equips humble servants, and confronts earthly powers with unmistakable signs. By instructing Moses and Aaron to throw down the staff and turn it into a serpent, the Lord asserts His supremacy, exposes Pharaoh’s hardened heart, and sets the stage for the larger redemption to come. (9) Shew a miracle for you.--Pharaoh had perhaps heard of the miracles wrought by Aaron before the people of Israel (Exodus 4:30), and was curious to be an eye-witness of one, as was Herod Antipas (Luke 23:8). Or he may have thought that if Moses and Aaron "shewed a miracle," his own magicians would be able to show greater ones, and he would then dismiss the brothers as charlatans and impostors. He certainly did hot intend to be influenced by any miracle which they might show, or to accept it as evidence that their message to him was a command from God.Thy rod.--The rod is now called Aaron's, because Moses had entrusted him with it. (Comp. Exodus 7:19, and Exodus 8:5; Exodus 8:16-17.) . . . Verse 9. - When Pharaoh shall speak to you, saying, Shew a miracle. It is obvious that there would have been an impropriety in Moses and Aaron offering a sign to Pharaoh until he asked for one. They claimed to be ambassadors of Jehovah, and to speak in his name (Exodus 5:1). Unless they were misdoubted, it was not for them to produce their credentials. Hence they worked no miracle at their former interview. Now, however, the time was come when their credentials would be demanded, and an express command was given them to exhibit the first "sign." CHAPTER 7:10-13 Hebrew “Whenכִּי֩ (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction Pharaoh פַּרְעֹה֙ (par·‘ōh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings tells you, יְדַבֵּ֨ר (yə·ḏab·bêr) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue ‘Perform תְּנ֥וּ (tə·nū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 5414: To give, put, set a miracle,’ מוֹפֵ֑ת (mō·w·p̄êṯ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4159: A miracle, a token, omen you are to say וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ (wə·’ā·mar·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to Aaron, אַהֲרֹ֗ן (’a·hă·rōn) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses ‘Take קַ֧ח (qaḥ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take your staff מַטְּךָ֛ (maṭ·ṭə·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe and throw it down וְהַשְׁלֵ֥ךְ (wə·haš·lêḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away before לִפְנֵֽי־ (lip̄·nê-) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 6440: The face Pharaoh,’ פַרְעֹ֖ה (p̄ar·‘ōh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings [and] it {will} become יְהִ֥י (yə·hî) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be a serpent.” לְתַנִּֽין׃ (lə·ṯan·nîn) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8577: A marine, land monster, sea-serpent, jackal Links Exodus 7:9 NIVExodus 7:9 NLT Exodus 7:9 ESV Exodus 7:9 NASB Exodus 7:9 KJV Exodus 7:9 BibleApps.com Exodus 7:9 Biblia Paralela Exodus 7:9 Chinese Bible Exodus 7:9 French Bible Exodus 7:9 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 7:9 When Pharaoh speaks to you saying 'Perform (Exo. 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