Topical Bible: Water: Turned Into Blood

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The miraculous transformation of water into blood is a significant event recorded in the Bible, primarily associated with the plagues of Egypt as described in the Book of Exodus. This event serves as a demonstration of God's power and a judgment against the Egyptians for their oppression of the Israelites.

Exodus Account

The first instance of water turning into blood occurs in Exodus 7:14-25. God commands Moses to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites. When Pharaoh refuses, God instructs Moses and Aaron to perform a sign. Aaron is to stretch out his staff over the waters of Egypt, and as he does so, the waters turn into blood. This includes the Nile River, the lifeblood of Egypt, as well as all their streams, canals, ponds, and reservoirs. The Berean Standard Bible states:

"So Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood. The fish in the Nile died, and the river reeked so badly that the Egyptians could not drink its water. There was blood throughout the land of Egypt." (Exodus 7:20-21)

This plague lasts for seven days, during which the Egyptians suffer greatly due to the lack of potable water and the stench of dead fish. Despite the severity of this sign, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened, and he refuses to let the Israelites go.

Symbolism and Theological Significance

The turning of water into blood is rich in symbolism and theological significance. It represents God's sovereignty over creation and His ability to disrupt the natural order to fulfill His purposes. The Nile, a symbol of life and sustenance for the Egyptians, becomes a source of death and judgment, highlighting the futility of relying on false gods and idols.

This miracle also serves as a direct challenge to the Egyptian pantheon, particularly the gods associated with the Nile, such as Hapi, the god of the annual flooding of the Nile, and Osiris, whose bloodstream was mythologically linked to the river. By turning the Nile into blood, God demonstrates His supremacy over these deities and asserts His authority as the one true God.

New Testament Reference

The theme of water turning into blood reappears in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Revelation. In Revelation 16:3-4, the second and third bowls of God's wrath are poured out, turning the sea and rivers into blood. This eschatological event echoes the plagues of Egypt and serves as a warning of the final judgment upon those who oppose God.

Historical and Apologetic Considerations

From a historical and apologetic perspective, the account of water turning into blood has been the subject of much discussion. Some scholars attempt to explain the event through natural phenomena, such as the red algae or silt that could cause the water to appear blood-like. However, the biblical narrative emphasizes the miraculous nature of the event, underscoring God's direct intervention in human history.

For believers, the transformation of water into blood is a testament to God's power and a reminder of His justice and mercy. It serves as a call to faithfulness and obedience, illustrating the consequences of hardening one's heart against God's will.

Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 16:3-5
And the second angel poured out his vial on the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

(On the Mysteries. Iv. )
... 2. He once in Cana of Galilee, turned the water into wine, akin to blood [2448] ,
and is it incredible that He should have turned wine into blood? ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xxii on the mysteries.htm

The Kingdom Forming
... 1 Water turned " 7 " The waters of Egypt " Pharaoh's heart " " into blood " " "
was hardened " " " " " 2 " " " " " 4 " " " " " 5 ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/ii the kingdom forming.htm

The First Miracle in Cana --The Water Made Wine
... Testament as being the emblem of His blood shed for ... the thought that sorrow may be
turned into a solemn ... The Christ who transforms the water of earthly gladness ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the first miracle in canathe.htm

The Day of Blood at Prague.
... which would, of course, have been wanton waste, they turned them into Roman Catholic ...
whips, beat the altars with sticks, sprinkled holy water to cleanse ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xv the day of.htm

Law and Grace
... Oh! how the man abhors himself when he sees all his rivers of water turned
into blood, and loathsomeness creeping over all his being. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/law and grace.htm

The Lord's Supper Instituted.
... when, according to the theory of transubstantiation, it had been turned into blood
and hence was ... Wine, mingled with water, was drunk during the paschal supper. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxx the lords supper instituted.htm

Like Precious Faith
... is the pipe by which all the water of life ... Christ, His blood and righteousness, there
flows into our hearts ... Divine life which, like a river turned into a dung ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/like precious faith.htm

Moses.
... Then Moses turned the waters of the rivers into ... Then Pharaoh was frightened into
obeying God, and he let ... Later, when they wanted water, the Lord commanded Moses ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/wee ones bible stories/moses.htm

Joel's Rhapsody of the Locust Plague
... Yea, the beasts of the field pant unto thee: For the water brooks are dried up ... The
sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/joels rhapsody of the locust.htm

The Story of a Cup of Water
... do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these ... same fine common-sense told him that
water procured at ... had become sacred, and had better be turned into a sort ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the story of a cup.htm