Exodus 12:29

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֣י׀
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בַּֽחֲצִ֣י
H2677
And it came to pass that at midnight
the half or middle
#3
הַלַּ֗יְלָה
H3915
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
#4
וַֽיהוָה֮
H3068
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
הִכָּ֣ה
H5221
smote
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#6
כָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#7
בְּכ֥וֹר
H1060
all the firstborn
first-born; hence, chief
#8
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ
H776
in the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#9
מִצְרַיִם֒
H4714
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#10
בְּכ֥וֹר
H1060
all the firstborn
first-born; hence, chief
#11
פַּרְעֹה֙
H6547
of Pharaoh
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
#12
הַיֹּשֵׁ֣ב
H3427
that sat
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#13
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
כִּסְא֔וֹ
H3678
on his throne
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
#15
עַ֚ד
H5704
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#16
בְּכ֥וֹר
H1060
all the firstborn
first-born; hence, chief
#17
הַשְּׁבִ֔י
H7628
of the captive
exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty
#18
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#19
בְּבֵ֣ית
H1004
that was in the dungeon
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#20
הַבּ֑וֹר
H953
a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)
#21
וְכֹ֖ל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#22
בְּכ֥וֹר
H1060
all the firstborn
first-born; hence, chief
#23
בְּהֵמָֽה׃
H929
of cattle
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of kingdom of God within the theological tradition of Exodus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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