Exodus 12:33

ESV The Egyptians were urgent with the people to send them out of the land in haste. For they said, "We shall all be dead."

NIV The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. "For otherwise," they said, "we will all die!"

NASB The Egyptians urged the people, to send them out of the land in a hurry, for they said, 'We will all be dead.'

CSB Now the Egyptians pressured the people in order to send them quickly out of the country, for they said, "We’re all going to die!"

NLT All the Egyptians urged the people of Israel to get out of the land as quickly as possible, for they thought, 'We will all die!'

KJV And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.

NKJV And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.”

What does Exodus 12:33 mean?

God struck Egypt by killing every one of the nation's firstborn (Exodus 11:4–6; 12:29). This resulted in an immediate flood of mourning (Exodus 12:30). Rather than negotiate, the Egyptian king has granted Israel an immediate release from slavery (Exodus 12:31–32). Here, we see that the people share his sense of urgency. They are already intimidated by Israel and their leaders (Exodus 11:1–3) due to the series of supernatural plagues. Now they realize that to hold the Hebrews in captivity will eventually result in total annihilation.

This fulfills the Lord's predictions and preparations for the night of the first Passover. The people were instructed to eat a ceremonial meal while dressed for travel (Exodus 12:11). Their food was to include unleavened bread: quick to prepare, and easy to transport (Exodus 12:8). Now the people will be rushed to leave, with only enough time to put unrisen dough into bowls (Exodus 12:34, 39).

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