but the wheat and spelt were not destroyedIn the context of the plagues in Egypt, this phrase highlights the selective nature of the seventh plague, which was hail. The wheat and spelt were not destroyed because they had not yet matured. This detail underscores God's control over the natural world and His ability to protect certain elements even amidst judgment. Wheat and spelt were staple grains in ancient Egypt, essential for daily sustenance and economic stability. The preservation of these crops indicates a measure of mercy, allowing for future provision despite the devastation.
because they are late crops
Wheat and spelt are described as late crops, meaning they mature later in the growing season compared to barley and flax, which were destroyed by the hail. This agricultural detail provides insight into the timing of the plagues, likely occurring around February or March. The survival of these crops serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the precision of His judgments. It also foreshadows the continued opportunity for Pharaoh to repent, as the preservation of these crops suggests that God’s judgments are not yet final. This concept of divine timing and mercy is echoed in other scriptures, such as2 Peter 3:9, which speaks of God's patience and desire for repentance.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites, who is delivering God's messages to Pharaoh.
2.
PharaohThe ruler of Egypt, whose heart is hardened against letting the Israelites go.
3.
EgyptThe land where the Israelites are enslaved and where the plagues are taking place.
4.
The PlaguesA series of divine judgments sent by God to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites.
5.
Wheat and SpeltTypes of grain mentioned in this verse, representing the agricultural aspect of the plagues.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in JudgmentThe preservation of the wheat and spelt demonstrates God's control over nature and His ability to execute precise judgment.
Timing and PatienceThe mention of "late crops" highlights the importance of God's timing. Believers are reminded to trust in God's perfect timing in their lives.
Provision Amidst JudgmentEven in judgment, God provides. The survival of the wheat and spelt suggests that God’s mercy is present even in times of trial.
Spiritual ResilienceJust as the late crops survived the hail, believers are called to be resilient in their faith amidst trials and tribulations.
Symbolism of HarvestThe harvest imagery can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual growth and the eventual gathering of believers into God's kingdom.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 9:32?
2.How does Exodus 9:32 demonstrate God's mercy amidst judgment?
3.What lessons can we learn from the survival of the wheat and spelt?
4.How does Exodus 9:32 connect to God's provision in other Scriptures?
5.How can we apply God's mercy in Exodus 9:32 to our daily lives?
6.What does the preservation of crops in Exodus 9:32 teach about God's sovereignty?
7.Why did God spare the wheat and spelt in Exodus 9:32 during the plague?
8.What does Exodus 9:32 reveal about God's selective judgment?
9.How does Exodus 9:32 demonstrate God's control over nature?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 9?
11.What were the Ten Plagues of Egypt in the Bible?
12.How does the destruction caused by the locusts (Exodus 10:15) align with the later plague of hail in Exodus 9, which supposedly ruined crops earlier?
13.Deuteronomy 9:13-21 - How does Moses's retelling of the golden calf incident here square with the details and timing found in Exodus 32?
14.What foods are mentioned in the Bible?What Does Exodus 9:32 Mean
But• The verse opens with a contrast that links back toExodus 9:31, where the flax and barley were ruined by the devastating hail. This little word signals that God’s judgment, though fierce, was also measured (cf.Exodus 9:4;Psalm 103:10).
• By inserting “but,” Scripture shows that the LORD’s sovereignty includes both destruction and preservation, underscoring His purposeful control over every detail (cf.Job 37:11-13).
the wheat and the spelt• Wheat was Israel’s staple grain for bread (Genesis 30:14;Deuteronomy 8:8). Spelt, a hardy cousin of wheat, served as a backup crop when conditions were harsh (Isaiah 28:25).
• Mentioning both highlights God’s ongoing provision: even in judgment, He leaves what is essential for sustenance, echoing His promise never to wipe out His covenant people (Leviticus 26:44;Romans 11:5).
were not destroyed• The hailstorm “struck down everything in the field” (Exodus 9:25), yet these two crops “were not destroyed.” This selective damage demonstrates that the LORD can differentiate between what is touched by His wrath and what is shielded (cf.Exodus 8:22; 9:4).
• It also foreshadows the ultimate deliverance of Israel from Egypt—divine discipline against the oppressor, mercy toward the oppressed (Psalm 78:48-49, 52).
because they are late crops• Wheat and spelt mature later in the season, so their heads were still green and pliable; the hail could beat them down without shattering them. God’s timing in the plague coincided with each plant’s stage of growth (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2).
• This natural detail reinforces the literal reliability of Scripture and reveals the LORD’s intimate knowledge of creation (Matthew 6:30;Luke 12:7).
• Practically, the spared crops offered Egypt a chance to repent and prepare (2 Peter 3:9), while providing Israel with food when the Exodus began (Exodus 12:34-36).
summaryExodus 9:32 teaches that God’s judgments are never random: He strikes decisively yet mercifully, preserving what His people will need. The spared wheat and spelt prove His sovereign precision, His care for daily bread, and His faithful commitment to keep a remnant even amid wrath.
(32)
The wheat and the rie.--"Rie," or rye, is a wrong translation. It is a grain which has never been grown in Egypt. The only three kinds of grain cultivated were wheat, barley, and the
holcus sorghum, or
doora. There is no doubt that this last is intended by the Hebrew
cussemeth, which is a word derived from the Egyptian. The wheat is a full month later than the barley in Egypt, and does not come into ear till March. The
holcus sorghum may be grown at any time, except during the inundation. If sown with the wheat, it would ripen about the same period.
They were not grown up.--Heb.,they were late, ordark. The ear was undeveloped, and lay hid in the low tufts that grew like grass.
Verse 32.- The wheat and the rie were not smitten, for they were not grown up. In Egypt the wheat harvest is at least a month later than the barley harvest, coming in April, whereas the barley harvest is finished by the end of March. Rye was not grown in Egypt; and it is generally agreed that the Hebrew word here translated "rie" means the
Holcus sorghum, or
doora, which is the only grain besides wheat and barley represented on the Egyptian monuments. The doora is now raised commonly as an after-crop; but, if sown late in the autumn, it would ripen about the same time as the wheat.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
but the wheatוְהַחִטָּ֥ה(wə·ha·ḥiṭ·ṭāh)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2406:Wheatand the speltוְהַכֻּסֶּ֖מֶת(wə·hak·kus·se·meṯ)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3698:Spelt (a kind of wheat)were notלֹ֣א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nodestroyed,נֻכּ֑וּ(nuk·kū)Verb - Pual - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5221:To strikebecauseכִּ֥י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctiontheyהֵֽנָּה׃(hên·nāh)Pronoun - third person feminine plural
Strong's 2007:Themselvesare late crops.)אֲפִילֹ֖ת(’ă·p̄î·lōṯ)Adjective - feminine plural
Strong's 648:Unripe
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OT Law: Exodus 9:32 But the wheat and the spelt were (Exo. Ex) 
