Exodus 12:29-33

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 12:29

Smote all the first born - If we take the term first-born in its literal sense only, we shall be led to conclude that in a vast number of the houses of the Egyptians there could have been no death, as it is not at all likely that every first-born child of every Egyptian family was still alive, and that all the first-born of their cattle still remained. And yet it is said, Exodus 12:30 , that there was not a house where there was not one dead. The word therefore must not be taken in its... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 12:30

There was a great cry - No people in the universe were more remarkable for their mournings than the Egyptians, especially in matters of religion; they whipped, beat, tore themselves, and howled in all the excess of grief. When a relative died, the people left the house, ran into the streets, and howled in the most lamentable and frantic manner. See Diod. Sicul., lib. i., and Herod., lib. ii., c. 85, 86. And this latter author happening to be in Egypt on one of their solemnities, saw myriads... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 12:31

Called for Moses and Aaron - That is, he sent the message here mentioned to them; for it does not appear that he had any farther interview with Moses and Aaron, after what is mentioned Exodus 10:28 , Exodus 10:29 , and Exodus 11:8 . See Clarke's notes Exodus 10:28 , Exodus 10:29 ; (note), and Exodus 11:8 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 12:33

The Egyptians were urgent upon the people - They felt much, they feared more; and therefore wished to get immediately rid of a people on whose account they found they were smitten with so many and such dreadful plagues. read more

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