Exodus 9:20 describes a group of Pharaoh’s servants who took God’s warning seriously. Because they feared the LORD’s word, they moved their workers and livestock indoors before the hail fell, which shows that trusting God’s word can lead to practical, protective action. The verse is narrated by Moses, who records this detail as part of the account of the seventh plague, the hail that struck Egypt.
Those who feared the LORD’s word among the servants of Pharaoh made their servants and their livestock flee into the houses.
Exodus 9:20 (WEB)
What Exodus 9:20 Means
The phrase “those who feared the LORD’s word” refers to Egyptians who took seriously what Moses had announced. Fear here is not terror so much as reverence and respect, the recognition that the word spoken by the God of Israel carries real weight. Their response was to act on that word rather than dismiss it.
The servants “made their servants and their livestock flee into the houses.” In plain terms, they hurried their people and animals under shelter before the storm arrived. The verse describes what these men did, and it sets them against the next verse, where others ignored the warning. It does not promise that anyone who obeys God will escape every harm, but it does show that heeding God’s word can bring real protection in the moment.
The Context of Exodus 9:20
Exodus is traditionally attributed to Moses, and it tells the story of Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt and God’s covenant with them at Sinai. The book was written for the Israelite community, who needed to understand who the LORD was and how He dealt with Pharaoh. The plagues demonstrate that Pharaoh’s refusal to release the people brought escalating judgment on Egypt, while the God of Israel showed Himself sovereign over the land and its gods.
Just before the verse, God announces through Moses that a very grievous hail is coming and tells Pharaoh to bring his livestock in from the field. Just after it, the narrative contrasts those who respected the warning with those who did not, and then describes the hail falling. Reading the verse in this setting makes its point clearer: the servants who obeyed were not hedged against God’s action but were responding wisely to a word that was about to be fulfilled.
Key Phrases in Exodus 9:20
Proverbs 22:3
A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
(WEB)
This proverb describes the prudent person who sees danger coming and hides from it, which mirrors the servants who brought their people indoors. Read together, the two passages show that wise action in the face of threat is a mark of sound judgment shaped by a right view of God’s warnings.
Psalm 91:1
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
(WEB)
Psalm 91 speaks of finding refuge in God Himself, a deeper shelter than the houses of Egypt. Set beside Exodus 9:20, it reminds you that the physical shelter the servants sought points toward the greater security found in trusting the LORD.
A Short Prayer From Exodus 9:20
Lord, you have spoken, and I want to take your word seriously in the ordinary decisions of my life. Give me the wisdom to notice the warnings you send through Scripture, through people who love me, and through my own conscience. When I am tempted to dismiss what you have said, remind me that your word is trustworthy and worth acting on. Help me respond with reverence and promptness, trusting that you care for me even when I cannot see what is coming. Amen.
