Exodus 11:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So Moses said, "Thus says the Lord: ‘About midnight I will go out in the midst of Egypt,

NIV: So Moses said, "This is what the Lord says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt.

NASB: Then Moses said, 'This is what the Lord says: ‘About midnight I am going out into the midst of Egypt,

CSB: So Moses said, "This is what the Lord says: About midnight I will go throughout Egypt,

NLT: Moses had announced to Pharaoh, 'This is what the Lord says: At midnight tonight I will pass through the heart of Egypt.

KJV: And Moses said, Thus saith the Lord, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:

NKJV: Then Moses said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt;

Pharaoh has just threatened to kill Moses if the two men ever meet in person again (Exodus 10:28–29). The Egyptian king has repeatedly defied God's commands to release the Israelite people (Exodus 1:11–14). This brought nine separate disasters on the nation (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23). Because Moses refuses to accept anything other than total freedom, Pharaoh is stubborn.

The prior passage (Exodus 11:1–3) records instructions Moses was to give the Israelites. These would be passed along and obeyed with great success (Exodus 12:35–36). But Moses is still standing in front of Pharaoh. He now delivers an intense threat straight from the Lord (Exodus 4:21–23).

During the night, the Lord will kill all of Egypt's firstborn (Exodus 11:5–6). This will once again distinguish between God's people and their captors (Exodus 11:7). The Egyptians will beg the Hebrews to leave immediately (Exodus 11:8). Only after delivering this message will Moses turn and leave Pharaoh.

Exodus 11:4–10 records Moses' declaration of the final plague. He is still in the presence of Pharaoh, who has just threated Moses with death after the ninth plague (Exodus 10:28–29). In the night, God will kill every firstborn in Egypt—including those of cattle, slaves, and even the royal family itself. The Israelites will be spared, and Egypt will beg for the Israelites to leave. Moses then leaves, furious at Pharaoh. God reminds Moses that Pharaoh was never going to submit; these events happened to proclaim God's power to the world.

Immediately after being threatened by Pharaoh (Exodus 10:28–29), Moses is given more instructions from the Lord. He is to instruct the Israelites to ask Egyptians for jewelry. Recent events will have intimidated them enough to be generous. God also tells Moses to predict the last and worst plague: the death off all Egyptian firstborn. This will be the most terrible disaster of Egypt's entire history. It will also lead directly to Israelite freedom. Moses expresses this grim promise in furious anger but is reassured by God that this is all part of an expected plan.

Since the Lord sent Moses back into Egypt (Exodus 3—4), Pharoah has refused multiple commands to release the Hebrew slaves. This has brought nine epic disasters to his nation (Exodus 5—10). Most recently, Pharaoh has threatened to kill Moses if these discussions continue (Exodus 10:28–29). Moses hears instructions from the Lord which include a prediction about the last, and worst, of the plagues of Egypt. In the following chapter, God will establish the Passover and free the Israelites as Egypt mourns catastrophic losses (Exodus 12).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 6/15/2025 11:30:48 AM