Exodus 12:29-42

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 12:29-36

Here we have, I. The Egyptians? sons, even their first-born, slain, Exod. 12:29, 30. If Pharaoh would have taken the warning which was given him of this plague, and would thereupon have released Israel, what a great many dear and valuable lives might have been preserved! But see what obstinate infidelity brings upon men. Observe, 1. The time when this blow was given: It was at midnight, which added to the terror of it. The three preceding nights were made dreadful by the additional plague of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 12:37-42

Here is the departure of the children of Israel out of Egypt; having obtained their dismission, they set forward without delay, and did not defer to a more convenient season. Pharaoh was now in a good mind; but they had reason to think he would not long continue so, and therefore it was no time to linger. We have here an account, 1. Of their number, about 600,000 men (Exod. 12:37), besides women and children, which I think, we cannot suppose to make less than 1,200,000 more. What a vast... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 12:29

And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt ,.... The midnight of the fifteenth of Nisan, as the Targum of Jonathan, when fast asleep, and thoughtless of any danger; and it being at such a time must strike with a greater horror and terror, when sensible of the blow, which might be attended with a great noise, that might awaken the rest: from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne ; the heir to his crown, who was to have sat upon... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 12:30

And Pharaoh rose up in the night ,.... Being awakened by the uncommon noise he heard: he and all his servants, and all the Egyptians ; he and his nobles, and ministers of state, courtiers, and counsellors, and his subjects in common, perhaps everywhere in his kingdom, but particularly in the metropolis: and there was a great cry in Egypt ; throughout the whole land, the firstborn being everywhere slain, which caused a most dreadful lamentation of parents for their eldest son, of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 12:31

And he called for Moses and Aaron by night ,.... Not that Pharaoh went in person, but he sent his servants to call them; for they never saw his face more after he had drove them from his presence; but now was fulfilled what Moses told him, that his servants should come to him in a very suppliant manner, and entreat him and his people to get away in all haste, Exodus 10:28 . Where Moses and Aaron now were is not certain, probably in the city, or suburbs of it, where Pharaoh's palace was,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 12:32

Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said ,.... Which they had insisted upon should go with them, but he had refused, but now he is willing they should go with them: and be gone ; out of his city and country in all haste: and bless me also ; or pray for me, as the Targum of Onkelos; pray the Lord to bestow a blessing upon me also, as I have done well by you in suffering you to depart with your whole families, flocks, and herds. The Targum of Jonathan is,"I desire nothing... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 12:33

And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people ,.... The people of Israel; not using force, but strong entreaties, the most powerful arguments, and importunate language they were masters of: that they might send them out of the land in haste : this looks as if it was the people about Pharaoh, his ministers and courtiers, they were pressing upon to dismiss the Israelites at once, and to hasten their departure; or else Moses and Aaron, and the elders of the people, to stir them up to a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 12:34

And the people took their dough before it was leavened ,.... They had that evening mixed their flour with water, and made it into dough, but had put no leaven into it; and the Egyptians being so very earnest to have them gone, they stayed not to put any leaven into it: but their kneadingtroughs , or rather "their dough": being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders ; for it is not likely that their troughs should be wrapped up in the skirts of their garments; but their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 12:35

And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses ,.... Exodus 3:22 . and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment ; or "they asked" F1 וישאלו "et postulaverunt", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; "petierunt", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. them of the Egyptians to give them them, which they readily did to get rid of them; for upon their being urgent with the Israelites to be gone in haste, they might reply, that they were not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 12:36

And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians ,.... Their minds were disposed towards them, and their hearts were inclined to grant their request, and did grant it: so they lent unto them : such things as they required; or "they gave unto them" F2 וישאלום "ut petita darent", Tigurine version, "ut dederint", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Ainsworth, Cartwright. ; made presents of them freely to them; and so Josephus says F3 Antiqu. l. 2. c. 14. sect. 6.... read more

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