Exodus 12:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians. And there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where someone was not dead.

NIV: Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead.

NASB: And Pharaoh got up in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians, and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was no home where there was not someone dead.

CSB: During the night Pharaoh got up, he along with all his officials and all the Egyptians, and there was a loud wailing throughout Egypt because there wasn’t a house without someone dead.

NLT: Pharaoh and all his officials and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and loud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypt. There was not a single house where someone had not died.

KJV: And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

NKJV: So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

God knew that Egypt's king, the pharaoh, would never release Egypt's Hebrew slaves unless put under the most dire pressure (Exodus 3:19–20). Moses knew the Lord planned to threaten Pharaoh's own son with death (Exodus 4:21–23). After multiple catastrophes, Pharaoh continued to defy God. This led to a final plague (Exodus 11:4–6) which has taken the life of the king's own firstborn son (Exodus 12:29). Every household in Egypt is stricken, and the night is filled with horrified mourning. Only the Israelites (Exodus 11:7; 12:6–7, 13) are spared.

Pharaoh is utterly broken. Despite earlier threats (Exodus 10:28), he summons Moses and Aaron and releases Israel (Exodus 12:31). This comes with no conditions, requirements, or half-measures. For the first time, Pharaoh fully and completely agrees to freeing the nation's Hebrew captives (Exodus 1:11–14). His submission is exactly what Moses had predicted (Exodus 11:8)

This is not an expression of faith; Pharaoh has permanently cut himself off from any chance of repentance (Exodus 9:34–35; 10:1; Proverbs 29:1). He is simply beaten and left with no choice. This mood will only last a little while before dissolving into irrational hate once again (Exodus 14:5–9).

The people of Egypt are in a similar state of mind. They had seen evidence that these plagues were divine judgment (Exodus 8:19; 10:7). They were intimidated by Moses and the Israelite people (Exodus 11:2–3). Like Pharaoh, they will insist that their former slaves leave the country immediately (Exodus 12:33). However, it seems some Egyptians chose to join with Israel (Exodus 12:38) rather than remain in Egypt.

Exodus 12:29–32 describes the tenth (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23) and most devastating of the Lord's judgments on Egypt (Exodus 3:19–20). As promised (Exodus 11:4–6), God kills every firstborn in Egypt, from the lowliest animals to the Egyptian king's own family. Only the Israelites, whose homes are marked with lamb's blood, are spared (Exodus 12:23). Reeling from the death of his own son, Pharaoh finally agrees to release the Hebrew slaves (Exodus 4:21–23).

Israel is to realign their calendar to begin with the current month. They receive instructions to prepare a special meal. This includes sacrificing lambs and applying their blood to the doorway of each home. Following these instructions will cause God's wrath to "pass over" that house. Egypt's firstborn are killed and they demand Israel leave immediately. The people quickly gather their belongings and march out in a single massive group. These events are to be remembered with festivals to be celebrated for all time.

Moses was sent to lead Israel into freedom (Exodus 3:10). This meant announcing the Lord's supernatural judgments on Egypt (Exodus 3:19–21). After nine such disasters (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23), a tenth was promised (Exodus 4:21–23; 11:4–6). In this chapter, God provides instructions for Israel to both survive and commemorate this first Passover night. Egypt reels from the death of its firstborn and demands Israel leave that very night. More directions about the future are to come (Exodus 13). Then Pharaoh will once again change his mind and confront the Hebrews on the shores of the Red Sea (Exodus 14).

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.