Exodus 12:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

For that night, I will pass through the land of Egypt and kill all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both men and animals; and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt; I am ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible:

On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn male, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.

American Standard Version:

For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am Jehovah.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For I will pass^{H5674} through the land^{H776} of Egypt^{H4714} this night^{H3915}, and will smite^{H5221} all the firstborn^{H1060} in the land^{H776} of Egypt^{H4714}, both man^{H120} and beast^{H929}; and against all the gods^{H430} of Egypt^{H4714} I will execute^{H6213} judgment^{H8201}: I am the LORD^{H3068}.

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Commentary for Exodus 12:12

1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Judgment:** The verse emphasizes God's sovereignty to execute judgment, specifically against the Egyptian gods and the oppressive regime that enslaved the Israelites.
- **Deliverance:** It foreshadows the final plague that will lead to the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
- **Theophany:** The passage suggests a direct intervention of God in history, signaling His presence among His people.
- **Distinction Between Egypt and Israel:** The plague is selective, affecting only the Egyptians, thereby highlighting God's protection of the Israelites.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The events described in Exodus are traditionally dated to the late Bronze Age, around the 13th century BCE.
- **Situation:** The Israelites, who had been living in Egypt, had grown in number and were subsequently enslaved by the Egyptians.
- **The Plagues:** A series of supernatural plagues were brought upon Egypt as a means of persuading Pharaoh to release the Israelites. The tenth and final plague was the death of the firstborn.
- **Passover:** Exodus 12:12 sets the stage for the Passover, an event commemorating God's deliverance. The Israelites were instructed to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, which would serve as a sign to spare their firstborn from the plague.
- **The Exodus:** This verse is part of the instructions given by God to Moses and Aaron in preparation for the Exodus, the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land.
- **Challenge to Egyptian Gods:** The plagues, and particularly the final one, were a direct challenge to the Egyptian pantheon, undermining the authority and power of their gods.

In summary, Exodus 12:12 is set within the narrative of the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt and conveys themes of divine judgment, protection, and the assertion of Yahweh's supremacy over the gods of Egypt. It serves as a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, solidifying their identity as a people chosen and delivered by God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5674
   There are 493 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַר
   Transliteration: ʻâbar
   Pronunciation: aw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation); alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath.
   
2. 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.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3915
   There are 223 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לַיִל
   Transliteration: layil
   Pronunciation: lah'-yil
   Description: or (Isaiah 21:11) לֵיל; also לַיְלָה; from the same as לוּל; properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity; (mid-)night (season).
   
5. Strong's Number: H5221
   There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָכָה
   Transliteration: nâkâh
   Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound.
   
6. 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).
   
7. Strong's Number: H120
   There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָדָם
   Transliteration: ʼâdâm
   Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
   Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
   
8. 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.
   
9. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
10. Strong's Number: H6213
    There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָשָׂה
    Transliteration: ʻâsâh
    Pronunciation: aw-saw'
    Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
    
11. Strong's Number: H8201
    There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שֶׁפֶט
    Transliteration: shepheṭ
    Pronunciation: sheh'-fet
    Description: from שָׁפַט; a sentence, i.e. infliction; judgment.
    
12. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.