Exodus 7

Exodus 7 read aloud, in a fresh direct translation from the Hebrew — plain modern English, nothing added. Translator's notes: • Exodus 7:1 — אֱלֹהִים (Elohim): chose "as Elohim". Alternatives: "as a god", "like God". Why: Moses is set in the Elohim-role toward Pharaoh — speaking with authority while Aaron speaks for him as prophet; the rendering keeps the title word in that role sense. • Exodus 7:9 — תַּנִּין (tannin): chose "a serpent". Alternatives: "a dragon", "a crocodile", "a great reptile". Why: the word covers large reptile creatures; in Pharaoh's court scene a serpent is the creature in view, and Aaron's staff is said to swallow the others. • Exodus 7:19 — בָּעֵצִים וּבָאֲבָנִים (ba'etzim uva'avanim): chose "even in wood and in stone". Alternatives: "even in wooden and stone vessels". Why: the Hebrew names the materials only; vessels are understood from the context of stored water, but the words themselves are kept as written.