Exodus 9:33 Meaning: The Prayer That Stopped the Storm
Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread out his hands to Yahweh; and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured on the earth.
And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the Lord: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto Jehovah: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
And Moses goeth out from Pharaoh, from the city, and spreadeth his hands unto Jehovah, and the voices and the hail cease, and rain hath not been poured out to the earth;
And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread out his hands to Jehovah; and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not [any more] poured on the earth.
Meaning in one sentence
Moses' outspread hands stopped the hail. But why did Pharaoh still harden his heart? Discover the meaning of intercession in Exodus 9:33.
Context
The seventh plague struck Egypt with terrifying hail and fire, destroying crops and killing livestock. Pharaoh, shaken, called for Moses and Aaron, confessing his sin and begging for relief. Moses agreed to pray, but he knew Pharaoh's heart was not changed. He left the city, spread his hands toward the Lord, and the storm ceased. Yet the next verse shows that when Pharaoh saw the rain and hail stop, he sinned again and hardened his heart. This verse sits at a hinge: the prayer is answered, but the answer does not produce repentance.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words carry the weight of this moment. Paras, the verb for 'spread out' his hands, means to stretch open or display, Moses held nothing back, palms open toward heaven. It is the posture of full dependence, the opposite of Pharaoh's clenched fist. Chadal, meaning 'ceased,' is the same word used earlier when God commands the storm to stop; its root carries the sense of leaving off completely, not just pausing. And natakh, 'poured out,' describes rain that is not released. The Niphal form here (passive) subtly shows that the rain was withheld entirely. These words together show a real, complete answer to an honest prayer, yet the same chapter shows that even such power does not coerce a willing heart.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen this as a powerful picture of intercession. Wesley and other Methodist commentators highlight that Moses 'prevailed with God', prayer truly moves the heart of God. Reformed voices like Matthew Henry note that Moses' open hands express earnest desire and humble expectation, and that the prayer itself was the means God used to stop the plague. Baptist expositor Gill emphasizes that the immediate ceasing of the storm shows the 'power and prevalence of prayer.' At the same time, many traditions point to the sobering truth that Pharaoh's relief did not bring repentance. All agree that God hears His people, but that human hardness can resist even the clearest signs.
A common misunderstanding
Some assume that the storm stopping meant Pharaoh's confession was genuine and the crisis was over. In fact, the next verse shows the opposite: when Pharaoh saw the hail and rain had ceased, he 'sinned yet more.' The answered prayer did not lead to repentance. God's mercy gave relief, but Pharaoh used it as a chance to harden himself further.
Living This Out
This week, you may be praying for someone who seems to hold their heart closed, a relative, a coworker, even yourself. Like Moses, you can spread your hands to the Lord, asking Him to lift the storm. The answer may come quickly, or it may take time. But the real question is what happens after the storm lifts. Will you or they take the relief as a sign of God's goodness and turn toward Him, or will the quiet lull you back into stubbornness? Pray with open hands, and watch what you do with the peace that follows.
Main takeaway: Moses' open hands moved God to stop the storm, yet Pharaoh's heart stayed hard, prayer is powerful, but only God can soften a heart.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Moses asked God to stop the big storm, and God did. When we pray, God listens to us too. You can spread your hands out like Moses and talk to God anytime.
For ages 9, 12
Moses went outside, away from Pharaoh, and stretched his hands toward heaven. He didn't just say a quick prayer, he showed God he was serious. The storm stopped right away. But Pharaoh didn't learn his lesson. Sometimes we ask God for help, and He answers, but then we forget to change. Next time you pray for something, think about what you will do after God answers.
Questions People Ask
Why did Moses go out of the city to pray?
Moses wanted to be alone with God, away from Pharaoh's presence. The city was likely full of Egyptian officials and the aftermath of the storm. Going outside gave him privacy and showed he trusted God's protection even with the hail still falling.
Does this verse mean that God changed His mind when Moses prayed?
The Bible often shows that prayer moves God to act differently. But in Exodus, God had already said through Moses that the storm would stop when he prayed. So Moses was praying in line with what God had already promised. God's actions are consistent with His character, and He chooses to work through the prayers of His people.
If God stopped the storm, why didn't Pharaoh repent?
That is the heart of the tragedy in Exodus. Pharaoh admitted his sin but repented only because he was afraid, not because he truly honored God. When the danger passed, his fear faded and his stubbornness returned. This shows that outward change under pressure is not the same as genuine repentance.
What does 'spread out his hands' mean in prayer?
In the Old Testament, spreading out the hands was a physical gesture of prayer, like raising open palms. It showed that the person was empty-handed before God, depending on Him alone. Moses did this openly, without shame, and it became a sign of honest pleading.
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