Exodus 1:22
And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.
Original Language Analysis
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַמּ֖וֹ
all his people
H5971
עַמּ֖וֹ
all his people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 13
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַבֵּ֣ן
Every son
H1121
הַבֵּ֣ן
Every son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַיְאֹ֙רָה֙
into the river
H2975
הַיְאֹ֙רָה֙
into the river
Strong's:
H2975
Word #:
9 of 13
a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m
תַּשְׁלִיכֻ֔הוּ
ye shall cast
H7993
תַּשְׁלִיכֻ֔הוּ
ye shall cast
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
10 of 13
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Acts 7:19The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.Proverbs 1:16For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.Psalms 105:25He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.Proverbs 4:16For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.Exodus 1:16And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.
Historical Context
This public decree suggests Pharaoh's frustration with the failure of previous measures. Commanding all Egyptians implies either popular support for genocide or at least passive compliance. The Nile's religious significance (associated with gods like Hapi and Sobek) adds theological dimension—Pharaoh conscripts Egypt's sacred river for mass murder, which God will judge.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you resist cultural complicity with evil when society normalizes injustice?
- What does God's transformation of death waters (Nile) into salvation waters (for Moses) teach about His ability to redeem even instruments of evil?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive (כָּל־הַבֵּן הַיִּלּוֹד הַיְאֹרָה תַּשְׁלִיכֻהוּ, kol-haben hayilod haye'orah tashlikhuhu)—Pharaoh escalates from secret midwife-executed genocide to public, nation-wide infanticide. Charged all his people makes every Egyptian complicit in the murder of Hebrew boys. Cast into the river—the Nile, Egypt's lifeline and divine symbol, becomes an instrument of death. The tragic irony: the river meant to destroy Moses will become his salvation (2:3), and later the Nile will be turned to blood (7:20). This decree sets up Moses' birth narrative and God's poetic justice—Pharaoh's own daughter will adopt the deliverer (2:5-10).