The Science Behind Exodus’s Miracle of Hail Mixed with Fire

With respect to miracles and as a current church leader, I am fascinated by the miracles in the Book of Exodus and, more specifically, those which caused Pharaoh to let God’s people go. With that said, at least some of them are readily explainable by known natural laws and processes.

When we read about the ten plagues on Egypt, sent by the Lord God in the Book of Exodus, one was a miracle described as hail mingled with fire. The biblical account says that as the hail fell, fire ran along the ground, creating a phenomenon so terrifying that it devastated Egyptian (though not Israelite) crops, livestock, and landscape (Ex. 9:23–25).

But what if there’s more to this event than meets the eye? What if this wasn’t just a supernatural act but a glimpse into natural phenomena science has documented, yet mankind is only beginning to understand? Today, I want to explore how this miracle could connect to a recent discovery in space known as Hot Neptunes, where ice burns without melting on certain planet surfaces.

First, let’s understand what the Bible, and more specifically the Book of Exodus, outlines concerning this event. In Ex. 9:24, we learn:"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."

Wait, what? Hail and fire together? We are used to seeing hail in thunderstorms, but fire alongside hail sounds impossible. We must remember, however, that “with men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27). Ice and fire are supposed to cancel each other out, and for those of us who live in northern climates, we have witnessed how easily warmth melts snow.

Some have suggested that volcanic eruptions, lightning storms, or meteor showers could explain this event. While these theories are enough for some to accept and move on, I am the exact opposite. This explanation, at least apologetically, is unsatisfying and does not quite capture the mingled nature of the hail and fire. That’s where modern science might provide a fresh perspective irrespective of the super religious rejecting its power to reveal certain biblical truth.

There are exoplanets called Hot Neptunes that are roughly the size of Neptune but located so close to their stars that their atmospheric temperature hangs close to thousands of degrees Fahrenheit.

What’s fascinating about them is their ability to maintain substances in states that defy our everyday experiences. More plainly, have you ever witnessed an ice cube refuse to melt when subjected to even 70-degree temperatures, let alone thousands of degrees?

Scientists have found that under immense pressure, water ice can become so dense that it retains its solid form even at extremely high temperatures.

This form of ice, called Ice VII, doesn’t melt under heat; instead, it glows and burns. Imagine a piece of ice that’s so compressed it can survive the fiery conditions of a planet’s atmosphere while never melting.

To me, that sounds like the fire mingled with hail that fell on Egypt in the Exodus narrative. It’s almost as if nature itself can mimic the miraculous. As a preacher once said, “now leaning into this thought a bit further,” if compressed ice can exist under such conditions on distant planets, could something similar have happened on Earth? Understanding that we believe God created the entire universe and everything in it, this isn’t too much of a faith stretch.

According to science, to burn ice in this way requires two key factors: extreme pressure and intense heat. Earth doesn’t naturally create Ice VII on its surface, but volcanic eruptions, massive lightning storms, or meteor impacts could create localized conditions where ice behaves in unusual ways.

For example, during thunderstorms, lightning can reach temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun. If hailstones formed in such an environment, they might interact with lightning in a way that mimics the burning ice phenomenon in Egypt. Next, volcanic eruptions could introduce heat and pressure that temporarily allow ice to exist in an unusual state, glowing or burning as it interacts with molten rock or gases.

Additionally, a meteor shower could bring compressed ice from space, creating favorable conditions required for this miracle to manifest. While we may never fully recreate these conditions in a lab, the parallels between Ice VII and the Exodus plague called down by the prophet Moses, are simply mind-blowing to consider.

Beyond the science, there’s something symbolic about the combination of hail and fire: Ice represents coldness, stillness, and judgment, while fire signifies passion, purification, and power. Together, they form a paradox—two opposing forces united in a single act to bring about the result willed by our Sovereign God!

It’s almost as if God used this miracle to demonstrate His absolute authority over nature. By combining elements that seem incompatible, He showed that nothing is beyond His control. The burning ice phenomenon, if connected, would only deepen our sense of wonder at how God’s creation reflects His majesty or, as David so powerfully stated, “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Ps. 19:1).

The miracle of hail mingled with fire is a story of awe, wonder, and divine power. While we may never fully understand how God accomplished this act, the parallels with phenomena like burning ice remind us of the richness and complexity of His creation.

As we continue to explore the mysteries of the universe, let’s marvel at how science and faith intersect, pointing us back to the One who holds all things together.