Exodus 12:29

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 12:29

(29) All the firstborn.—The Hebrew word used applies only to males.The firstborn of Pharaoh.—The law of primogeniture prevailed in Egypt, as elsewhere generally. The Pharaoh’s eldest son was recognised as “hereditary crown prince,” and sometimes associated in the kingdom during his father’s lifetime. This had been the case with Lameses II., probably the Pharaoh from whom Moses fled (Exodus 2:15); but the practice was not common. In any case, however, the eldest son of the reigning monarch... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Exodus 12:29-30

THE TENTH PLAGUE.(29, 30) The nature of the tenth plague is indubitable, but as to the exact agency which was employed there may be different views. In every family in which the firstborn child had been a male, that child was stricken with death. Pharaoh’s firstborn son—the erpa suten sa—the heir to his throne, was taken; and so in all other families. Nobles, priests, tradesmen, artisans, peasants, fishermen—all alike suffered. In the hyperbolic language of the narrator, “there was not a house... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Exodus 12:1-51

Exodus 12:8 Christianity, considered as a moral system, is made up of two elements, beauty and severity; whenever either is indulged to the loss or disparagement of the other, evil ensues.... Even the Jews, to whom this earth was especially given, and who might be supposed to be at liberty without offence to satiate themselves in its gifts, were not allowed to enjoy it without restraint. Even the Paschal Lamb, their great typical feast, was eaten 'with bitter herbs'. Newman, Sermons on... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Exodus 12:29-36

THE TENTH PLAGUE.Exodus 12:29-36.And now the blow fell. Infants grew cold in their mothers’ arms; ripe statesmen and crafty priests lost breath as they reposed: the wisest, the strongest and the most hopeful of the nation were blotted out at once, for the firstborn of a population is its flower.Pharaoh Menephtah had only reached the throne by the death of two elder brethren, and therefore history confirms the assertion that he "rose up," when the firstborn were dead; but it also justifies the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Exodus 12:1-51

5. Redemption by Blood, the Passover and the Law of the Firstborn CHAPTER 12 The Passover Instituted and Kept, the Death of the Firstborn and the Exodus 1. The Passover instituted and the feast of unleavened bread (Exodus 12:1-20 ) 2. The command given to the people and obeyed (Exodus 12:21-28 ) 3. The death of the firstborn in Egypt (Exodus 12:29-30 ) 4. The departure of the children of Israel (Exodus 12:31-36 ) 5. From Rameses to Succoth (Exodus 12:37-39 ) 6. The fulfillment of... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 12:1-51

THE PASSOVER FEAST (vs.1-28) The time finally arrives for the Lord to accomplish a work of amazing power in Egypt in the deliverance of a nation numbering over two million, from the bondage of Egypt. Speaking to Moses and Aaron, the Lord tells them that this month was to be to Israel the beginning of months, the first month of their year. A new beginning was to take place at this time, a beginning based on the value of the blood of the lamb of sacrifice (v.2). Clearly this is typical of the... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Exodus 12:1-36

THE PASSOVER At the close of the tenth chapter Moses declares Pharaoh shall see his face no more, while in the eleventh he is present with him again. Therefore with the exception of the first three verses of chapter 11 the remainder must be a continuation of chapter 10. Let us consider it thus, taking up the questions in Exodus 11:1-3 in connection with chapter 12. THE LAST PLAGUE ANNOUNCED (Exodus 11:4-10 ) Hitherto God plagued Egypt mediately, but how was this plague to be distinguished... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Exodus 12:1-51

The Preservation of the Israelites Exo 12:1-20 During the plague of hail, when the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast, when the fire ran along upon the ground and the hail was so grievous that there had been none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation, "Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail" "The Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel." After the plague of... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Exodus 12:29

Now the awful stroke is felt: and what a midnight cry was heard in Egypt. See Exodus 4:22-23 . Reader! pause, spiritualize the history, for it is truly awful, and think what a midnight cry will be in the soul when God shall arise to shake terribly the earth! Psalms 96:6 . read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 12:29-36

29-36 The Egyptians had been for three days and nights kept in anxiety and horror by the darkness; now their rest is broken by a far more terrible calamity. The plague struck their first-born, the joy and hope of their families. They had slain the Hebrews' children, now God slew theirs. It reached from the throne to the dungeon: prince and peasant stand upon the same level before God's judgments. The destroying angel entered every dwelling unmarked with blood, as the messenger of woe. He did... read more