Exodus 12:30
And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֨קָם
rose up
H6965
וַיָּ֨קָם
rose up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 19
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
לַ֗יְלָה
in the night
H3915
לַ֗יְלָה
in the night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
ה֤וּא
H1931
ה֤וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם
and all the Egyptians
H4714
בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם
and all the Egyptians
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
8 of 19
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
וַתְּהִ֛י
H1961
וַתְּהִ֛י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
גְדֹלָ֖ה
and there was a great
H1419
גְדֹלָ֖ה
and there was a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
11 of 19
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם
and all the Egyptians
H4714
בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם
and all the Egyptians
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
12 of 19
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בַּ֔יִת
for there was not a house
H1004
בַּ֔יִת
for there was not a house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
15 of 19
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁ֖ם
H8033
Historical Context
This cry of mourning fulfilled Moses' prophecy (Exodus 11:6). Egyptian grief would have been intense and public, with professional mourners and elaborate funeral customs.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Egypt's 'great cry' contrast with the silence in blood-marked Israelite homes demonstrate salvation's dividing line?
- What does universal Egyptian loss teach about the inescapability of divine judgment when it finally comes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Pharaoh's rising 'in the night' shows the immediacy and universality of disaster—he could not wait for morning. 'All his servants, and all the Egyptians' includes everyone; 'there was not a house where there was not one dead' indicates comprehensive judgment touched every dwelling. The 'great cry in Egypt' contrasts sharply with Israel's silent protection. This vindicates God's word and breaks Egypt's resistance.