Exodus 9:33

And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands vnto the Lord: and the thunders and haile ceased, and the raine was not powred vpon the earth. Exodus 9:33 (KJV)

The book of Exodus recounts the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt, and this verse occurs amid the narrative of the ten plagues that God sent upon Egypt as judgment against Pharaoh’s refusal to let His people go. The specific plague highlighted here is the seventh plague, the plague of hail.

Prior to Exodus 9:33 God warned Pharaoh through Moses that a severe hailstorm would strike the land. Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and hail accompanied by thunder, fire, and rain fell on Egypt, destroying crops, livestock, and people, except for those who had taken shelter as God had instructed.

After the devastation, Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and either spread his hands abroad toward the LORD or stretched his hand toward heaven in an act of prayer and obedience. In response to this faithful act, the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was no longer poured upon the earth, as recorded in the following verse (Exodus 9:34) where the thunder, hail, and rain stopped.

This passage underscores the power and authority of God. Moses, acting as the intermediary, demonstrated dependence on God by praying and obeying divine instruction. The immediate cessation of the plague reveals God’s sovereign control over nature and His ability to both bring and halt calamities at will.

For today’s believer, Exodus 9:33‑34 teaches several lessons. It reminds us of the importance of prayer and seeking God’s intervention in times of trouble, and it stresses the significance of obedience to God’s commands. The verses also reassure us that, even amid overwhelming circumstances, God’s sovereignty can bring relief and fulfill His purposes.

Throughout the plagues narrative we see a stark contrast between Pharaoh’s hardened heart and Moses’ faithful obedience. As we study these verses, we are invited to examine our own response to God’s instructions and to trust Him in challenging situations.

In summary, Exodus 9:33 records Moses going out of the city, spreading his hands toward the LORD, and thereby prompting the cessation of the hail and rain. The passage highlights God’s power over creation, the necessity of obedient faith, and the assurance that God can intervene in our lives to accomplish His sovereign will.