Definition: And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth [with] blains upon man, and upon beast.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 9:10. It’s a really significant passage in the Bible that deals with a powerful act of God and its consequences. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: God is angry: The verse starts with God being incredibly upset because the Israelites weren’t obeying his commands to follow him. They offer a sacrifice: The Israelites were about to offer a sacrifice to Moses, who was their leader. A strange thing happens: Instead of the sacrifice going up into the sky, it transformed into a massive, spreading boil – like a giant rash or infection – on people and animals. These boils were bright red with white stripes (blains). Let's unpack the details: “They took ashes of the furnace…” : This means they used a special kind of ash, likely made from a fire, to cover the sacrifice. It was a symbolic act – representing God’s judgment and covering over their sins. “…and stood before Pharaoh…” : Moses is being sent by God to confront Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. “Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven” : This is crucial! Moses was actively directing the ashes towards the sky. It's a powerful image - he’s trying to cleanse the land and people of their disobedience. “…and it became a boil breaking forth [with] blains upon man, and upon beast.” : This is the key part! The ash transformed into a massive, spreading boil. The word "blains" means bright red with white stripes – it’s a very vivid description of the appearance of these boils. It shows a widespread affliction. It also says that this “boil” was affecting all people and animals – not just the Israelites. What does this mean? This is often interpreted as a symbol of God's judgment on humanity’s disobedience and wickedness. It highlights: God's Sovereignty: He is in control, even over seemingly small things like a boil. Divine Punishment: It’s a consequence of rejecting God’s will. Judgment & Cleansing: The act was meant to cleanse the land and people from their evil ways. Important Note: The exact meaning of this verse is debated among theologians, but it's generally understood as a dramatic illustration of God's power and his judgment against humanity. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this passage? Discuss the symbolism behind the "blains"? Or perhaps offer a different perspective on its meaning?