Exodus 11:6
ESV
There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever will be again.
NIV
There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt—worse than there has ever been or ever will be again.
NASB
So there shall be a great cry in all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been before and such as shall never be again.
CSB
Then there will be a great cry of anguish through all the land of Egypt such as never was before or ever will be again.
NLT
Then a loud wail will rise throughout the land of Egypt, a wail like no one has heard before or will ever hear again.
KJV
And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.
NKJV
Then there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as was not like it before, nor shall be like it again.
What does Exodus 11:6 mean?
This describes how Egypt will react to the tenth and final disaster (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23) resulting from their enslavement of the Israelites (Exodus 1:11–14). Moses has been threatened by the Egyptian pharaoh (Exodus 10:28–29) for not accepting a partial release of the slaves (Exodus 10:25–26). In response, Moses delivers the Lord's dire promise (Exodus 4:21–23) that during the night He will kill all the firstborn in Egypt (Exodus 11:4–5). This would forever be known as the most devastating event in Egypt's history (Exodus 12:30). Later information given to Israel suggests that there were at least several days between Moses' declaration and the coming of the plague (Exodus 12:3–6).The primary heir, usually the oldest son, is described using the word "firstborn." This translates the Hebrew root word bekōr. Others could become the "firstborn" without literally being the earliest-born if the intended heir somehow lost their right to the title (Genesis 25:31–32; 49:3–4; Hebrews 12:16). In ancient culture, descendants were a person's legacy, security in old age, and so forth. Beyond emotional bonds, the firstborn also represented any hope for the future. Such a loss would be terrible for any family and shattering if it happened to an entire culture. This plague will strike every firstborn of Egypt, making no exception for animals, servants, or even royalty (Exodus 11:5).
In contrast, the people of Israel will experience no effects from this plague (Exodus 11:7). Those who fear the Lord will be given a sign to avoid judgment (Exodus 12:13).
