Exodus 11:7
But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
Original Language Analysis
וּלְכֹ֣ל׀
H3605
וּלְכֹ֣ל׀
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּנֵ֣י
But against any of the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
But against any of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
and Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
and Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֶֽחֱרַץ
move
H2782
יֶֽחֱרַץ
move
Strong's:
H2782
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, to point sharply, i.e., (literally) to wound; figuratively, to be alert, to decide
כֶּ֙לֶב֙
shall not a dog
H3611
כֶּ֙לֶב֙
shall not a dog
Strong's:
H3611
Word #:
6 of 19
a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute
לְשֹׁנ֔וֹ
his tongue
H3956
לְשֹׁנ֔וֹ
his tongue
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
7 of 19
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
לְמֵאִ֖ישׁ
against man
H376
לְמֵאִ֖ישׁ
against man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 19
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
9 of 19
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בְּהֵמָ֑ה
or beast
H929
בְּהֵמָ֑ה
or beast
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
לְמַ֙עַן֙
H4616
לְמַ֙עַן֙
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
תֵּֽדְע֔וּן
that ye may know
H3045
תֵּֽדְע֔וּן
that ye may know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
12 of 19
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַפְלֶ֣ה
doth put a difference
H6395
יַפְלֶ֣ה
doth put a difference
Strong's:
H6395
Word #:
14 of 19
to distinguish (literally or figuratively)
יְהוָ֔ה
how that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
how that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בֵּ֥ין
H996
בֵּ֥ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
16 of 19
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
מִצְרַ֖יִם
between the Egyptians
H4714
מִצְרַ֖יִם
between the Egyptians
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
17 of 19
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
Cross References
Joshua 10:21And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.Exodus 8:22And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.Exodus 10:23They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.Malachi 3:18Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.Exodus 9:4And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel.Job 5:16So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.Exodus 7:22And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.1 Corinthians 4:7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
Historical Context
The midnight hour emphasizes God's sovereign timing and judgment coming in darkness. The scope—from royal palace to prison to barn—demonstrates no earthly status protects from divine judgment. Only the Passover blood will shield.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the universality of this judgment foreshadow universal human sinfulness?
- What does the need for blood protection teach about the coming gospel?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Verse 7 describes Moses's final warning about midnight judgment. God Himself will pass through Egypt, striking every firstborn from Pharaoh's throne to the prisoner in the dungeon, and even livestock firstborn. This universal judgment spares none, revealing sin's comprehensive curse.