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But Aaron&#8217s staff swallowed up their staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They threw down their staffs, which also became serpents! But then Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For each one threw down his staff, and they turned into serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed their staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For each one threw down his staff and they turned into serpents. But Aaron&#8217s staff swallowed up their staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For each one threw down his staff and they turned into serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And each one threw down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For every man threw down his staff and they turned into serpents; but Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed their staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron&#8217s staff swallowed their staffs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />they threw down sticks that turned into snakes. But Aaron's snake swallowed theirs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Each of them threw his staff down, and they all became large snakes. But Aaron's staff swallowed theirs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They threw down their walking sticks, and the sticks turned into snakes. But Aaron's stick swallowed theirs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So each one threw down his staff and it became a serpent, but Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron?s staff swallowed up the other staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Each man threw down his staff, and the staffs became snakes. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For they each cast down their rods, and they became serpents; but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they each cast down his rod, and they become dragons, and the rod of Aaron swallows their rods;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they cast down each his rod, and they become monsters, and the rod of Aaron swalloweth their rods;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will cast down each their rod, and they will be for dragons: and Aaron's rod swallowed their rods.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they every one cast down their rods, and they were turned into serpents: but Aaron's rod devoured their rods. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And each one cast down their staffs, and they were turned into serpents. But the staff of Aaron devoured their staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Each one threw down his staff, and they turned into serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed their staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Each one threw down his staff, and they became snakes; but Aaron’s staff swallowed up theirs.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For they cast down every man his staff and they became serpents; but Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the men cast, each one, his staff, before Pharaoh and they became dragonssea serpents, and the scepter of Aaron devoured their staves.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents; but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they cast down each his rod, and they became serpents, but the rod of Aaron swallowed up their rods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/7-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=1490" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/7.htm">Aaron's Staff Becomes a Serpent</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">Each</a> <a href="/hebrew/7993.htm" title="7993: way·yaš·lî·ḵū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To throw, fling, cast. A primitive root; to throw out, down or away.">one threw down</a> <a href="/hebrew/4294.htm" title="4294: maṭ·ṭê·hū (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Or mattah; from natah; a branch; figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising, ruling, throwing, or walking.">his staff,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·yih·yū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">and it became</a> <a href="/hebrew/8577.htm" title="8577: lə·ṯan·nî·nim (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- Serpent, dragon, sea monster. Or tanniym; intensive from the same as tan; a marine or land monster, i.e. Sea-serpent or jackal.">a serpent.</a> <a href="/hebrew/175.htm" title="175: ’a·hă·rōn (N-proper-ms) -- An elder brother of Moses. Of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses.">But Aaron’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4294.htm" title="4294: maṭ·ṭêh- (N-msc) -- Or mattah; from natah; a branch; figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising, ruling, throwing, or walking.">staff</a> <a href="/hebrew/1104.htm" title="1104: way·yiḇ·la‘ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To swallow down, swallow up, engulf. A primitive root; to make away with; generally, to destroy.">swallowed up</a> <a href="/hebrew/4294.htm" title="4294: maṭ·ṭō·ṯām (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Or mattah; from natah; a branch; figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising, ruling, throwing, or walking.">the other staffs.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>Still, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-8.htm">2 Timothy 3:8</a></span><br />Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-24.htm">Matthew 24:24</a></span><br />For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-8.htm">Acts 13:8-10</a></span><br />But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. / Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas / and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/13-13.htm">Revelation 13:13-14</a></span><br />And the second beast performed great signs, even causing fire from heaven to come down to earth in the presence of the people. / Because of the signs it was given to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image to the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet had lived.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/2-9.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:9</a></span><br />The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-22.htm">Mark 13:22</a></span><br />For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-14.htm">2 Corinthians 11:14-15</a></span><br />And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/16-14.htm">Revelation 16:14</a></span><br />These are demonic spirits that perform signs and go out to all the kings of the earth, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1</a></span><br />Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-22.htm">Matthew 7:22</a></span><br />Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-1.htm">Deuteronomy 13:1-3</a></span><br />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,” / you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21-22</a></span><br />Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. / Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19</a></span><br />When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-14.htm">Jeremiah 14:14</a></span><br />“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/13-6.htm">Ezekiel 13:6-7</a></span><br />They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. / Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.</p><p class="hdg">but Aaron's</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/8-18.htm">Exodus 8:18,19</a></b></br> And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/9-11.htm">Exodus 9:11</a></b></br> And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/8-9.htm">Acts 8:9-13</a></b></br> But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/7-10.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/exodus/6-25.htm">Aaron's</a> <a href="/exodus/7-10.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/exodus/7-10.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/exodus/2-20.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-3.htm">Monsters</a> <a href="/exodus/7-10.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/genesis/30-41.htm">Rods</a> <a href="/revelation/9-19.htm">Serpents</a> <a href="/exodus/7-10.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/revelation/9-19.htm">Snakes</a> <a href="/exodus/7-10.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/luke/22-52.htm">Staffs</a> <a href="/luke/22-52.htm">Staves</a> <a href="/genesis/41-24.htm">Swallowed</a> <a href="/exodus/7-10.htm">Threw</a> <a href="/exodus/5-22.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/7-14.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Aaron's</a> <a href="/exodus/10-19.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/exodus/8-16.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/exodus/12-7.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/psalms/74-13.htm">Monsters</a> <a href="/exodus/7-15.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/exodus/25-13.htm">Rods</a> <a href="/numbers/21-6.htm">Serpents</a> <a href="/numbers/21-8.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/numbers/21-6.htm">Snakes</a> <a href="/exodus/7-15.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/exodus/25-13.htm">Staffs</a> <a href="/exodus/25-13.htm">Staves</a> <a href="/exodus/15-12.htm">Swallowed</a> <a href="/exodus/9-10.htm">Threw</a> <a href="/exodus/7-15.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/7-1.htm">Moses and Aaron are encouraged to go again to Pharaoh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/7-8.htm">Aaron's rod is turned into a serpent</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/7-11.htm">The sorcerers do the like; but their rods are swallowed up by Aaron's</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/7-13.htm">Pharaoh's heart is hardened</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/7-14.htm">God's message to Pharaoh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/7-19.htm">The river is turned into blood; and the consequent distress of the Egyptians</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent.</b><br>This event occurs during the confrontation between Moses and Aaron and the Egyptian magicians in Pharaoh's court. The staff turning into a serpent is a demonstration of God's power over the Egyptian magicians, who were likely using sleight of hand or demonic power to replicate the miracle. In ancient Egypt, serpents were symbols of power and authority, often associated with the Pharaoh himself. This act challenges the authority of Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt, showing that the God of Israel is supreme. The staff, a symbol of authority and leadership, becoming a serpent, also connects to Moses' earlier encounter with God at the burning bush, where his staff was turned into a serpent as a sign of divine power (<a href="/exodus/4-2.htm">Exodus 4:2-4</a>).<p><b>But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs.</b><br>This phrase highlights the superiority of God's power over the magicians' tricks. The swallowing of the other staffs by Aaron's staff is a direct challenge to the Egyptian belief system and a foreshadowing of the plagues that will demonstrate God's dominance over Egypt's gods. This act can be seen as a type of Christ, who ultimately triumphs over all powers and authorities (<a href="/colossians/2-15.htm">Colossians 2:15</a>). The swallowing of the staffs also prefigures the victory of God's people over their enemies, as seen throughout the biblical narrative. This event sets the stage for the subsequent plagues, emphasizing that God's power is unmatched and His will is unstoppable.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. He is a central figure in the account of Exodus.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a></b><br>Moses' brother and spokesperson. He plays a crucial role in confronting Pharaoh and performing signs.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a></b><br>The ruler of Egypt who opposes Moses and Aaron, representing the hardened heart against God's will.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites are enslaved, symbolizing oppression and the worldly system opposed to God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_magicians_of_egypt.htm">The Magicians of Egypt</a></b><br>These are Pharaoh's wise men and sorcerers who attempt to replicate God's miracles through their own enchantments.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_false_powers.htm">God's Sovereignty Over False Powers</a></b><br>The swallowing of the magicians' staffs by Aaron's staff demonstrates God's ultimate authority over all false powers and deceptions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_opposing_god.htm">The Futility of Opposing God</a></b><br>The magicians' attempt to replicate God's miracle shows the futility of opposing God with human or demonic power.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_superiority.htm">Faith in God's Superiority</a></b><br>Believers are encouraged to trust in God's power and not be intimidated by the apparent strength of worldly systems.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_the_serpent.htm">Symbolism of the Serpent</a></b><br>The serpent, often a symbol of evil, is used by God to demonstrate His control over what is typically feared or revered.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_obedience_in_witnessing_god's_power.htm">The Role of Obedience in Witnessing God's Power</a></b><br>Aaron's obedience in casting down his staff is a reminder that witnessing God's power often requires our active participation and faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_aaron's_rod.htm">What is Aaron's Rod?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_snakes.htm">What is the biblical perspective on snakes?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_a_rod_become_a_serpent.htm">Exodus 7:10-12: How could a rod turn into a serpent in a scientifically verifiable sense?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_400_years_in_acts_7_6_vs._430_in_ex._12_40.htm">Why does Stephen cite a 400-year period in Acts 7:6 when Exodus 12:40 indicates 430 years of Israelite bondage?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods</span>. Aaron's serpent turned upon its rivals and devoured them, thus exhibiting a marked superiority. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/7-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Each</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֣ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one threw down</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּשְׁלִ֙יכוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaš·lî·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7993.htm">Strong's 7993: </a> </span><span class="str2">To throw out, down, away</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his staff,</span><br /><span class="heb">מַטֵּ֔הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(maṭ·ṭê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4294.htm">Strong's 4294: </a> </span><span class="str2">A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and it became</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּהְי֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yih·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a serpent.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְתַנִּינִ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ṯan·nî·nim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8577.htm">Strong's 8577: </a> </span><span class="str2">A marine, land monster, sea-serpent, jackal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But Aaron’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אַהֲרֹ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(’a·hă·rōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_175.htm">Strong's 175: </a> </span><span class="str2">Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses</span><br /><br /><span class="word">staff</span><br /><span class="heb">מַטֵּֽה־</span> <span class="translit">(maṭ·ṭêh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4294.htm">Strong's 4294: </a> </span><span class="str2">A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">swallowed up</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּבְלַ֥ע</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiḇ·la‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1104.htm">Strong's 1104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To swallow down, swallow up, engulf</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the other] staffs.</span><br /><span class="heb">מַטֹּתָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(maṭ·ṭō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4294.htm">Strong's 4294: </a> </span><span class="str2">A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/7-12.htm">Exodus 7:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/7-12.htm">Exodus 7:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/7-12.htm">Exodus 7:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/7-12.htm">Exodus 7:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/7-12.htm">Exodus 7:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/7-12.htm">Exodus 7:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/7-12.htm">Exodus 7:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/7-12.htm">Exodus 7:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/7-12.htm">Exodus 7:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/7-12.htm">Exodus 7:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/7-12.htm">OT Law: Exodus 7:12 For they cast down every man his (Exo. 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