Exodus 12:38

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 12:38

And a mixed multitude went up also with them ,.... Some of these were Egyptians, and some of other nations that had resided in Egypt, and who, on various accounts, might choose to go along with the children of Israel; some through intermarriages with them, being loath to part with their relations, see Leviticus 20:10 , others on account of religion, being proselytes of righteousness, and others through worldly interest, the land of Egypt being by the plagues a most desolate place; and such... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 12:38

Verse 38 38.And a mixed multitude. Although Abraham possessed many servants, yet is it scarcely probable that in the famine Jacob maintained any other persons in his family besides his own children, whom he could hardly so sustain as to preserve them from dying of hunger. And since Moses, in relating their coming into Egypt, does not mention any servants, we may conjecture that they brought no great number, because necessity compelled them to be content at any rate with a few. From hence we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 12:29-42

Egypt's sorrow: Israel's joy. I. THE JUDGMENT OF EGYPT EMBLEM AND PROMISE OF THE WORLD 'S JUDGMENT . 1 . The time of visitation; midnight, when all were wrapt in deepest slumber and, notwithstanding the warning which had been given, busy only with dreams. The world will be surprised in the midst of its false security. "As it was in the days of Noel etc. 2 . Its universality. There were none so high that God's hand did not reach them, and none so low that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 12:29-42

March at midnight. "This is that night of Jehovah" ( Exodus 12:42 ). Observe the striking words of the text! "The night of Jehovah," a night in which he specially appeared and acted on behalf of Israel. For a description of the scenery of this eventful night see Dr. W . M . Taylor's "Moses," 99-101. In the treatment of this subject considerable exposition will be necessary. For material, see expository section of this commentary. It may, in order to include all important points, be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 12:37-38

In the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, after they had received permission to set out, two things are principally remarkable: 1 . All were of one mind—none hung back; 2 . A mixed multitude cast in their lot with them, elected to accompany them, and resolved to share their fortunes. The first of these two facts shows— I. THAT IN TIMES OF EXCITEMENT , UNDER DIVINE GUIDANCE , A WHOLE NATION WILL ACT AS ONE MAN . Critical times are favourable to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 12:37-39

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 12:37-40

The exodus as a fact in history. The exodus from Egypt lay at the foundation of the national life of Israel. It appears in the history as a supernatural work of God. The subsequent legislation assumes it to have possessed this character. The bond of covenant declared to exist between the people and Jehovah had its ground in the same transaction. They were God's people, and were bound to adhere to him, and to obey his laws, because he had so marvellously redeemed them. Every motive and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 12:38

A mixed multitude went up also with them . Kalisch supposes that these strangers were native Egyptians, anxious to escape the tyranny of the kings. Canon Cook suggests that they were "remains of the old Semitic population" of the Eastern provinces. Perhaps it is more probable that they consisted of fugitives from other subject races (as the Shartana) oppressed by the Pharaohs. We have again mention of this "mixed multitude" in Numbers 11:4 , where we find that they were the first to regret... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 12:38

The mixed multitude. The mass of this mixed multitude which left Egypt with Moses, would consist of foreign settlers in the Delta, victims, like the Hebrews, of the tyranny of the Pharaohs, and, like them, glad to take this opportunity of making their escape (cf. Exodus 1:10 ). The enthusiasm of a great body of people is contagious. When the Israelites left Egypt, numbers would be moved to leave with them. Recent events, too, had doubtless produced a powerful impression on these mixed... read more

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