Exodus 12:23
For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
Original Language Analysis
וְעָבַ֣ר
will pass through
H5674
וְעָבַ֣ר
will pass through
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
1 of 24
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
יְהוָה֙
For the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
For the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לִנְגֹּֽף׃
to smite
H5062
לִנְגֹּֽף׃
to smite
Strong's:
H5062
Word #:
3 of 24
to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְרָאָ֤ה
and when he seeth
H7200
וְרָאָ֤ה
and when he seeth
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
6 of 24
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדָּם֙
the blood
H1818
הַדָּם֙
the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
8 of 24
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְעַ֖ל
H5921
וְעַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּפָסַ֤ח
will pass over
H6452
וּפָסַ֤ח
will pass over
Strong's:
H6452
Word #:
14 of 24
to hop, i.e., (figuratively) skip over (or spare); by implication, to hesitate; also (literally) to limp, to dance
יְהוָה֙
For the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
For the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַפֶּ֔תַח
the door
H6607
הַפֶּ֔תַח
the door
Strong's:
H6607
Word #:
17 of 24
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִתֵּן֙
and will not suffer
H5414
יִתֵּן֙
and will not suffer
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
19 of 24
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
הַמַּשְׁחִ֔ית
the destroyer
H7843
הַמַּשְׁחִ֔ית
the destroyer
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
20 of 24
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Revelation 7:3Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.Revelation 9:4And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.Hebrews 11:28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.1 Corinthians 10:10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.Ezekiel 9:6Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.Isaiah 37:36Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.2 Samuel 24:16And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.Hebrews 12:24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.Ezekiel 9:4And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
Historical Context
This night of terror for Egypt became Israel's night of salvation. The visible distinction between blood-marked and unmarked homes demonstrated faith versus unbelief.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's blood similarly cause God's wrath to 'pass over' believers while falling on the unbelieving?
- What does the destroyer's inability to enter blood-marked homes teach about Satan's powerlessness over those in Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The 'LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians' uses the same verb ('avar, עָבַר—to pass through/over) with different outcomes. Seeing the blood, 'the LORD will pass over' (pasach) means to skip or spare. The 'destroyer' (hamashchit, הַמַּשְׁחִית) is God's agent of judgment, possibly an angel of death. The blood's protective power demonstrates substitutionary atonement—judgment satisfied, wrath averted.