Exodus 11:5

ESV and every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle.

NIV Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well.

NASB and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the millstones; all the firstborn of the cattle as well.

CSB and every firstborn male in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the servant girl who is at the grindstones, as well as every firstborn of the livestock.

NLT All the firstborn sons will die in every family in Egypt, from the oldest son of Pharaoh, who sits on his throne, to the oldest son of his lowliest servant girl who grinds the flour. Even the firstborn of all the livestock will die.

KJV And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

NKJV and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals.

What does Exodus 11:5 mean?

God promised to use powerful signs to free Israel from slavery (Exodus 3:20). Nine catastrophes have not convinced the Pharaoh (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23). Instead, he has threated to kill God's spokesman (Exodus 10:28–29). Moses is responding with the Lord's dire warning (Exodus 11:4). Egypt will suffer the death of their firstborn—all of their firstborn.

The term "firstborn" translates the Hebrew root word bekōr. This refers to the primary heir or most important descendant. Typically, this heir is literally the "first born:" the oldest son. Those not the eldest male child can also become "firstborn" if the heir dismisses their birthright (Genesis 25:31–32; Hebrews 12:16) or commits serious evil (Genesis 49:3–4). The firstborn represents the legacy, strength, and hopes of their ancestors.

Moses makes it clear that this stroke of death will apply to every person and animal in Egypt. Livestock, servants, and even the royal family's heir are to suffer. This is the threat God said Moses would deliver when he was first sent on this mission (Exodus 4:21–23). Pharaoh has ignored the suffering of others and threatened to kill Moses. As a result, he will suffer and see his own son die.

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