King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh sitting on his throne to the firstborn of the slave-girl at the handmill, and all the firstborn of the livestock.
Berean Standard Bible:
and every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the servant girl behind the hand mill, as well as the firstborn of all the cattle.
American Standard Version:
and all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the first-born of the maid-servant that is behind the mill; and all the first-born of cattle.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And all the firstborn{H1060} in the land{H776} of Egypt{H4714} shall die{H4191}, from the firstborn{H1060} of Pharaoh{H6547} that sitteth{H3427} upon his throne{H3678}, even unto the firstborn{H1060} of the maidservant{H8198} that is behind{H310} the mill{H7347}; and all the firstborn{H1060} of beasts{H929}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 78:51
- And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of [their] strength in the tabernacles of Ham:
Exodus 12:12
- For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I [am] the LORD.
Psalms 136:10
- ¶ To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
Psalms 135:8
- Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
Matthew 24:41
- Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Psalms 105:36
- He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.
Exodus 4:23
- And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, [even] thy firstborn.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 11:5
1. Themes of Exodus 11:5:
- Divine Justice: The verse speaks to the theme of God's justice, as the plague is a direct response to Pharaoh's refusal to release the Israelites despite the previous nine plagues.
- The Power of God: It emphasizes the power and sovereignty of God over all of Egypt, including the highest (Pharaoh) to the lowest (the maidservant).
- Liberation and Redemption: The impending death of the firstborn is part of the larger narrative of Israel's deliverance from oppression.
- The Principle of Substitution: This event sets the stage for the Passover, where the firstborn of the Israelites are spared through the substitutionary blood of the lamb.
2. Historical Context:
- The verse is set within the narrative of the Exodus, which is traditionally dated to the late Bronze Age, around the 13th century BCE.
- The Israelites, who had been living in Egypt, were enslaved by the Egyptian Pharaoh.
- Moses, as God's spokesperson, has demanded the release of the Israelites, which Pharaoh has repeatedly refused, leading to a series of supernatural plagues upon Egypt.
- Exodus 11:5 foretells the tenth and final plague, where God will strike down all the firstborn in Egypt as a final act of judgment to compel Pharaoh to let His people go.
- This plague is selective, affecting only the Egyptians and their livestock, while sparing the Israelites who follow God's instructions to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, thus inaugurating the Passover feast.
- The historical accuracy of the Exodus account is debated among scholars, with varying interpretations ranging from a literal historical event to a mythologized account of the Israelites' origins.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1060
There are 96 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּכוֹר
Transliteration: bᵉkôwr
Pronunciation: bek-ore'
Description: from בָּכַר; firstborn; hence, chief; eldest (son), firstborn(-ling). - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H4714
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
Transliteration: Mitsrayim
Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. - Strong's Number: H4191
There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּת
Transliteration: mûwth
Pronunciation: mooth
Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. - Strong's Number: H6547
There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פַּרְעֹה
Transliteration: Parʻôh
Pronunciation: par-o'
Description: of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings; Pharaoh. - Strong's Number: H3427
There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשַׁב
Transliteration: yâshab
Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. - Strong's Number: H3678
There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כִּסֵּא
Transliteration: kiççêʼ
Pronunciation: kis-say'
Description: or כִּסֵּה; from כָּסָה; properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied); seat, stool, throne. - Strong's Number: H8198
There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׁפְחָה
Transliteration: shiphchâh
Pronunciation: shif-khaw'
Description: feminine from an unused root meaning to spread out (as a family; see מִשְׁפָּחָה); a female slave (as a member of the household); (bond-, hand-) maid(-en, -servant), wench, bondwoman, womanservant. - Strong's Number: H310
There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחַר
Transliteration: ʼachar
Pronunciation: akh-ar'
Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. - Strong's Number: H7347
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֵחֶה
Transliteration: rêcheh
Pronunciation: ray-kheh'
Description: from an unused root meaning to pulverize; a mill-stone; mill (stone). - Strong's Number: H929
There are 172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּהֵמָה
Transliteration: bᵉhêmâh
Pronunciation: be-hay-maw'
Description: from an unused root (probably meaning to be mute); properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective); beast, cattle.