The nine signs given to Moses

[theplains]

Can someone explain what are the nine signs given to Moses?

And of a truth We gave Moses nine manifest Signs. So ask then the children of Israel. When he came to them, Pharaoh said to him, ‘I do think thee, O Moses, to be a victim of deception.’ (17:102)

 

[Wood Pigeon]

The nine signs given to Musa عليه السلام are generally understood as:

1.) The staff turned into a serpent

“So he threw it down, and it became a serpent, moving quickly.” (20:20)

2.) The hand coming out white

“And draw your hand close to your side; it will come out white without harm.” (20:22)

3.) Flood

4.) Locusts

5.) Lice

6.) Frogs

7.) Blood

“So We sent upon them the flood, the locusts, the lice, the frogs, and the blood as distinct signs…” (7:133)

8.) Drought

9.) Shortage of fruits/crops

“And We seized Pharaoh’s people
with years of famine and shortness of fruits…” (7:130)

 

[theplains]

The nine signs given to Musa عليه السلام are generally understood as:

1.) The staff turned into a serpent

“So he threw it down, and it became a serpent, moving quickly.” (20:20)

2.) The hand coming out white

“And draw your hand close to your side; it will come out white without harm.” (20:22)

3.) Flood

4.) Locusts

5.) Lice

6.) Frogs

7.) Blood

“So We sent upon them the flood, the locusts, the lice, the frogs, and the blood as distinct signs…” (7:133)

8.) Drought

9.) Shortage of fruits/crops

“And We seized Pharaoh’s people
with years of famine and shortness of fruits…” (7:130)

What flood?

Why does the Quran omit the death of the first born when homes were not marked with the blood of the lamb in the door posts?

 

[Wood Pigeon]

1.) The KJV Bible does not describe a “flood” among Moses’ signs or the Egyptian plagues. The closest event is the severe hailstorm, which included rain, thunder, and fire. The relevant passage is Exodus 9:22–26, 33–34 (KJV):

22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.

23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.

24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.

25 And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.

26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.

33 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.

34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

The passage says hail and rain, not a flood. In the Qur’an, the “flood” is usually understood as one of the signs given to Pharaoh in Qur’an 7:133 and 17:101. In Exodus, the corresponding judgment is generally identified with the hail—the seventh plague—not a separate flood. The Bible records ten plagues, whereas the Qur’an refers to Moses being given nine signs.
2.) The Qur’an does not narrate the Passover story—the death of Egypt’s firstborn and the Israelites’ protection by lambs’ blood on their doorposts. It mentions several signs against Pharaoh, including the flood, locusts, lice, frogs, and blood, but it does not mention the final plague or the lamb’s blood.”

The Qur’an’s list appears in 7:133:

“So We sent upon them the flood and the locusts and the lice and the frogs and the blood as distinct signs, but they were arrogant and were a criminal people.”

It also says:

“And We certainly gave Moses nine evident signs…” — Qur’an 17:101

The Passover account is found in Exodus 11–12. The key KJV passage is:

Exodus 12:12–13
12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

And regarding the firstborn:

Exodus 12:29–31
29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people…

So the straightforward answer is: it is not in the Qur’an because the Qur’an gives a shorter account of Moses and Pharaoh and does not reproduce every event recorded in Exodus. From a Christian perspective, the omission is significant because Passover is central to the Bible’s redemption theme. From a Muslim perspective, the Qur’an’s account is selective and focuses on Moses’ signs, Pharaoh’s arrogance, and his eventual destruction—not on retelling the entire Exodus narrative.

As-Salaamu Alaykum!

 

[theplains]

Thank you.

I would say that specifically mentioning only 9 signs would have confounded Jews and
Christians who were reading their scripture. I count about 24 signs.

I'll comment on a few and mention the list later.

The staff turned into a serpent

He left out some key details. While it was a serpent, it ate the serpents which the Egpytian magicians
also produced. Then it became a staff again.


The hand coming out white

Leprosy is mentioned a few times in the Quran (3:49 and 5:110) but it doesn't appear Muhammad was aware
that what happened to Moses was not just a change in colour but leprosy, later to be healed by God
(Exodus 4:6–7).


Shortage of fruits/crops

“And We certainly seized the people of Pharaoh with years of drought and a shortage of fruits,
so that perhaps they would take heed” (7:130)

Did Muhammad really believe the plagues (the flood and the locusts and the lice and the frogs and the blood)
spanned a long time when you add the years of drought?

I don't see anything in the Quran where Muhammad gives people the impression he is giving a shorter
account.

Miracles surrounding Moses and the Exodus

1. Moses' staff becomes a serpent, then a staff again - Exodus 4:2–5
2. Moses' hand becomes leprous and is healed - Exodus 4:6–7
3. Water becomes blood - Exodus 4:8–9

Then the Ten Plagues of Egypt

4. Water turned to blood - Exodus 7:14–25
5. Frogs - Exodus 8:1–15
6. Lice/gnats - Exodus 8:16–19
7. Flies - Exodus 8:20–32
8. Death of Egyptian livestock - Exodus 9:1–7
9. Boils - Exodus 9:8–12
10. Hail and fire - Exodus 9:13–35
11. Locusts - Exodus 10:1–20
12. Three days of darkness - Exodus 10:21–29
13. Death of the firstborn - Exodus 11:4–10; 12:29–30

The Exodus itself

14. The pillar of cloud and fire - Exodus 13:21–22
15. The Red Sea is divided - Exodus 14:16, 21–22
16. The Egyptians are destroyed in the sea - Exodus 14:26–28

Miracles in the wilderness

17. Bitter water made drinkable - Exodus 15:22–25
18. Manna from heaven - Exodus 16:4, 13–15, 35
19. Quail provided for Israel - Exodus 16:12–13
20. Water comes from the rock - Exodus 17:1–6
21. Israel's victory while Moses holds up his hands - Exodus 17:8–13
22. Mount Sinai covered with fire, smoke, thunder, and an earthquake-like shaking - Exodus 19:16–19; 20:18
23. Moses' face shines after speaking with God - Exodus 34:29–35
24. God's glory appears at the tabernacle - Exodus 40:34–38