Exodus 12:29
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֣י׀
H1961
וַיְהִ֣י׀
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַלַּ֗יְלָה
H3915
הַלַּ֗יְלָה
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
3 of 23
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
וַֽיהוָה֮
the LORD
H3068
וַֽיהוָה֮
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הִכָּ֣ה
smote
H5221
הִכָּ֣ה
smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
5 of 23
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיֹּשֵׁ֣ב
that sat
H3427
הַיֹּשֵׁ֣ב
that sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּסְא֔וֹ
on his throne
H3678
כִּסְא֔וֹ
on his throne
Strong's:
H3678
Word #:
14 of 23
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
עַ֚ד
H5704
עַ֚ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
15 of 23
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַשְּׁבִ֔י
of the captive
H7628
הַשְּׁבִ֔י
of the captive
Strong's:
H7628
Word #:
17 of 23
exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּבֵ֣ית
that was in the dungeon
H1004
בְּבֵ֣ית
that was in the dungeon
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
19 of 23
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַבּ֑וֹר
H953
וְכֹ֖ל
H3605
וְכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Psalms 78:51And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:Exodus 4:23And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.Psalms 136:10To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:Psalms 135:8Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.Psalms 105:36He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.Numbers 8:17For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself.Numbers 33:4For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments.Exodus 12:12For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
Historical Context
Midnight placed the judgment in complete darkness, heightening terror. The death of Pharaoh's own firstborn (likely crown prince) personally broke Egypt's ruler. Captives' firstborn died despite having no power or responsibility for enslaving Israel.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the judgment falling on all ranks of society illustrate that sin levels humanity before God?
- What does the sudden, midnight timing teach about judgment arriving when least expected?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The phrase 'at midnight' emphasizes the precise timing of God's judgment—not gradual or uncertain, but sudden and exact. 'The LORD smote all the firstborn' fulfills the warned judgment (Exodus 4:23, 11:5). The comprehensive scope—'from the firstborn of Pharaoh...unto the firstborn of the captive...and all the firstborn of cattle'—demonstrates no Egyptian escaped, regardless of rank. Divine judgment is no respecter of persons.