Exodus 12:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock.

NIV: At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well.

NASB: Now it came about at midnight that the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of cattle.

CSB: Now at midnight the Lord struck every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in the dungeon, and every firstborn of the livestock.

NLT: And that night at midnight, the Lord struck down all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn son of the prisoner in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: And it came to pass at midnight that the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock.

Egypt's refusal to release Hebrew slaves has resulted in the tenth (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23) and worst of all plagues. As promised (Exodus 11:4–6), God kills the firstborn of everyone in Egypt. This includes royalty, prisoners, and even livestock. Israel is spared because of their obedience (Exodus 12:28) and faith, applying lamb's blood to their doors (Exodus 12:13).

When Moses was young, one of Egypt's kings ordered all male Hebrew babies killed (Exodus 1:16, 22). Now, God is judging Egypt with a similar tragedy. The "firstborn" was the primary heir: usually the oldest male child. In ancient cultures, the firstborn was a family's best hope for the future. For taking the futures of so many Israelites and brutally enslaving the people (Exodus 1:11–14), God gives Egypt a taste of their own evils (Psalm 7:12, 16). The shock and despair of this event will finally break Pharaoh's resolve, and he will grant Israel unconditional release (Exodus 12:31–32).

Details about this stroke of death are limited. Scripture mentions no mechanism for how people died. Nor does the Bible give an explicit time—the Hebrew word translated "midnight" means something more like "in the middle of the night." What is clear is the scope: not a single Egyptian home is spared from loss (Exodus 12:30).

Exodus 12:29–32 describes the tenth (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23) and most devastating of the Lord's judgments on Egypt (Exodus 3:19–20). As promised (Exodus 11:4–6), God kills every firstborn in Egypt, from the lowliest animals to the Egyptian king's own family. Only the Israelites, whose homes are marked with lamb's blood, are spared (Exodus 12:23). Reeling from the death of his own son, Pharaoh finally agrees to release the Hebrew slaves (Exodus 4:21–23).

Israel is to realign their calendar to begin with the current month. They receive instructions to prepare a special meal. This includes sacrificing lambs and applying their blood to the doorway of each home. Following these instructions will cause God's wrath to "pass over" that house. Egypt's firstborn are killed and they demand Israel leave immediately. The people quickly gather their belongings and march out in a single massive group. These events are to be remembered with festivals to be celebrated for all time.

Moses was sent to lead Israel into freedom (Exodus 3:10). This meant announcing the Lord's supernatural judgments on Egypt (Exodus 3:19–21). After nine such disasters (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23), a tenth was promised (Exodus 4:21–23; 11:4–6). In this chapter, God provides instructions for Israel to both survive and commemorate this first Passover night. Egypt reels from the death of its firstborn and demands Israel leave that very night. More directions about the future are to come (Exodus 13). Then Pharaoh will once again change his mind and confront the Hebrews on the shores of the Red Sea (Exodus 14).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.