Exodus 9:20 Meaning: The Fear That Drove Them to Shelter
Those who feared Yahweh’s word among the servants of Pharaoh made their servants and their livestock flee into the houses.
He that feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:
He that feared the word of Jehovah among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:
He who is fearing the word of Jehovah among the servants of Pharaoh hath caused his servants and his cattle to flee unto the houses;
He that feared the word of Jehovah among the bondmen of Pharaoh made his bondmen and his cattle flee into the houses.
Meaning in one sentence
When Pharaoh’s servants feared Yahweh’s word and brought their livestock inside, was it true faith or just self-preservation?
Context
This verse sits in the middle of the seventh plague, the hail. Moses had warned Pharaoh that a storm unlike any in Egypt’s history would strike the next day, and he urged him to bring his livestock and servants indoors. Egypt’s cattle grazed in the fields from January to April, the only time pasturage was available, so the warning meant a real disruption. The chapter shows two responses: some of Pharaoh’s officials took the warning seriously, others did not. The verse captures that dividing line.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words carry the weight here. The first is yare, the participle for “the one fearing.” It can mean reverent awe or simple dread, in this context, it leans toward the kind of fear that takes a warning at face value. These men were not necessarily converts, but they were persuaded that Moses spoke for God.
The second is davar, “word.” Not a suggestion or a general truth, but a specific, spoken command. God’s word here came with a deadline and a promise of death. To fear that word meant to treat it as real.
The third is nus in the Hiphil form: “made to flee.” It is urgent, active language. They did not quietly decide to go home later. They drove their servants and livestock toward shelter with speed. Fear of God’s word produced movement.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this moment with different eyes. John Calvin, writing in the Reformed tradition, saw a “servile fear” that did not amount to saving faith, these men were not repentant in their hearts, yet their fear still spared them from the disaster. Matthew Henry agreed that it was not true conversion, but he honored the prudence of taking God at His word. The Puritan commentator John Gill called it a “servile fear” that nonetheless showed wisdom and concern for their households. All agree: the fear that responds to God’s warning, even if imperfect, brings protection from temporal judgment.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume that fearing God’s word in this verse means these men were true believers, saved by their obedience. But the text and commentators suggest otherwise. These were Egyptians who acted from dread and self-interest, not from love or covenant faith. In fact, the fear that moved them was genuine enough to spare their livestock, but it did not transform their hearts. The verse shows that even imperfect fear can lead to wise action, not that every cautious act equals saving faith.
Living This Out
You might be facing a warning from Scripture this week, something you have read or heard that you would rather ignore. Maybe it is a command to forgive, to stop a habit, or to speak honestly. The question is not whether your fear is pure. These Egyptian servants did not have perfect motives. They just believed God enough to act. This week, notice where God’s word is pressing you toward shelter. You do not need perfect faith to move. You only need enough fear to take the first step.
Main takeaway: Fearing God’s word enough to act on it, even with mixed motives, spares us from needless harm and opens the door to deeper trust.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God sent a warning about a bad storm. Some people listened and brought their animals inside. God wants you to listen when He warns you too.
For ages 9, 12
These Egyptian servants had seen God’s power before, so when Moses warned about the hail, they scrambled to get their animals inside. They probably weren’t followers of God yet, but they took the warning seriously. Sometimes fear is the first step to wisdom. You don’t have to be perfect to obey God, you just have to move.
Questions People Ask
Does fearing Yahweh’s word mean these Egyptians were saved?
Most commentators say no. Their fear was a natural dread of punishment, not saving faith. They acted wisely and were spared the hail, but the text does not show them becoming worshippers of Yahweh. It is a reminder that God’s warnings can produce good behavior even in those who are not yet His people.
Why did some of Pharaoh’s servants fear God’s word while others did not?
The previous plagues had already shown that Moses spoke for a God who kept His promises. Some Egyptians had been convinced by the evidence; others had grown more stubborn. The difference was not in the warning but in the willingness to believe it.
Is it wrong to obey God out of fear rather than love?
The Bible shows that fear is often the starting place, not the finish line. These Egyptians obeyed from dread, and it saved their livestock. Jesus later told His disciples to fear the One who can destroy both body and soul. Fear of consequences can be a gift that leads us to take God seriously, though love is the greater goal.
What does this verse teach about God’s character?
God gave a clear warning through Moses, and He included the Egyptians in it, not just Israel. He offered a way of escape to everyone who would listen. It shows His patience and mercy even toward those who had not yet chosen to follow Him.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study