Numbers 33:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For the Egyptians buried all [their] firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments.

Complete Jewish Bible:

while the Egyptians were burying those among them whom ADONAI had killed, all their firstborn; ADONAI had also executed judgment on their gods.

Berean Standard Bible:

who were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck down among them; for the LORD had executed judgment against their gods.

American Standard Version:

while the Egyptians were burying all their first-born, whom Jehovah had smitten among them: upon their gods also Jehovah executed judgments.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For the Egyptians{H4714} buried{H6912} all their firstborn{H1060}, which the LORD{H3068} had smitten{H5221} among them: upon their gods{H430} also the LORD{H3068} executed{H6213} judgments{H8201}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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.

Isaiah 19:1

  • ¶ The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

Exodus 18:11

  • Now I know that the LORD [is] greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly [he was] above them.

Revelation 12:7

  • And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

Revelation 12:9

  • And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Zephaniah 2:11

  • The LORD [will be] terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and [men] shall worship him, every one from his place, [even] all the isles of the heathen.

Psalms 105:36

  • He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:


Commentary for Numbers 33:4

1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Justice:** The verse emphasizes the theme of divine justice, where God punishes the Egyptians for their oppression of the Israelites and their idolatry.
- **The Power of God Over False Gods:** It illustrates the power and sovereignty of the God of Israel over the gods of Egypt, as He not only delivers His people but also judges the deities that the Egyptians worshiped.
- **The Final Plague:** The verse alludes to the tenth and final plague, the death of the firstborn, which was the climactic event leading to the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **The Exodus:** Numbers 33:4 is set within the context of the Israelites' departure from Egypt, following a series of miraculous plagues that God inflicted upon the Egyptians to compel Pharaoh to release the Hebrew slaves.
- **The Plague of the Firstborn:** This plague was the culmination of God's judgments against Egypt. While the Israelites were spared by marking their doorposts with the blood of a lamb (Passover), the Egyptians suffered the loss of their firstborn children and animals.
- **The Defeat of Egyptian Deities:** The plagues were not only a contest of power between God and Pharaoh but also a direct challenge to the Egyptian pantheon, whose gods were believed to control various aspects of nature and life. The judgments executed upon these gods demonstrated their impotence in the face of the true God.
- **The Journey to the Promised Land:** This verse is part of a larger section in Numbers that recounts the stages of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to Canaan. It serves as a reminder of God's mighty acts and His faithfulness to His people.

In summary, Numbers 33:4 reflects on the profound impact of the final plague, highlighting the themes of divine retribution, the supremacy of the God of Israel, and the historical turning point that led to the liberation of the Israelites and their journey towards the Promised Land.

*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: 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.
  2. Strong's Number: H6912
    There are 122 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קָבַר
    Transliteration: qâbar
    Pronunciation: kaw-bar'
    Description: a primitive root; to inter; [idiom] in any wise, bury(-ier).
  3. 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).
  4. 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.
  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: 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.