“Thus says the Lord: By this you shall know that I am the Lord… I will strike the water… and it shall turn into blood.” – Exodus 7:17-21
The Sea of Galilee has turned a striking blood red, prompting biblical plague comparisons and End Times speculation. Locals and visitors likened the scene to Exodus 7:17-21, where the Nile turned to blood at God’s command. Social media lit up with apocalyptic warnings, but Israeli scientists quickly offered a natural explanation.
Israel’s environmental ministry said the transformation was caused by a bloom of Botryococcus braunii, a harmless green microalga whose pigments turn red under intense sunlight. Tests confirmed the water is safe for swimming, with no reported health risks.
“This is a natural pigment buildup, not divine judgment,” officials stressed.
The Sea of Galilee holds deep religious significance, featuring prominently in Jesus’ New Testament miracles. While similar red-water events have occurred before, including a 2021 incident near the Dead Sea, scientists note they are linked to specific environmental conditions, not prophecy.
Still, the crimson waves continue to draw pilgrims, tourists, and the curious.