Exodus 11:6

KJV

And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.

KJV (with Strong's)

And there shall be {H1961} a great {H1419} cry {H6818} throughout all the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, such as there was none {H3808} like it, nor {H3808} shall be like it any more {H3254}.

Complete Jewish Bible

There will be a horrendous wailing throughout all the land of Egypt - there has never been another like it, and there never will be again.

Berean Standard Bible

Then a great cry will go out over all the land of Egypt. Such an outcry has never been heard before and will never be heard again.

American Standard Version

And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there hath not been, nor shall be any more.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 11:6 delivers a chilling divine prophecy to Pharaoh, foretelling an unparalleled national lament throughout Egypt. This "great cry" is the direct, devastating consequence of the tenth and final plague—the death of the firstborn—a climactic judgment designed by God to break Pharaoh's hardened resistance, demonstrate Yahweh's supreme power, and secure the long-awaited liberation of Israel from centuries of bondage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the dramatic climax of God's final warning to Pharaoh, delivered through Moses, concerning the tenth and most severe plague. It immediately follows God's explicit declaration in [Exodus 11:4-5](/exodus/11-4-5 "God's Warning of the Tenth Plague") that "about midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt, and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die." The "great cry" predicted in this verse stands in stark contrast to the divine protection promised to the Israelites in [Exodus 11:7](/exodus/11-7 "No Harm to Israel"), where "not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, from man to beast." This immediate juxtaposition highlights God's clear distinction between His covenant people and their oppressors, setting the irreversible stage for Israel's exodus and the definitive demonstration of Yahweh's sovereignty over all gods and nations. The preceding nine plagues, detailed from [Exodus 7](/exodus/7 "The First Plague: Water to Blood") through [Exodus 10](/exodus/10 "The Eighth and Ninth Plagues"), progressively escalated in severity, each serving as a warning and a demonstration of God's power, culminating in this final, inescapable judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was a polytheistic society where Pharaoh was considered a divine king, a son of the sun god Ra, and the embodiment of cosmic order (Ma'at). The plagues were not random acts of destruction but targeted assaults on specific Egyptian deities and their perceived domains, meticulously demonstrating Yahweh's supreme power and exposing the impotence of Egypt's gods. The "great cry" (Hebrew: *tsa'aqah gedolah*) was a common, profound expression of national grief and mourning in the ancient Near East, often accompanied by public displays of sorrow, wailing, and lamentation. For such a cry to sweep "throughout all the land of Egypt," from the Pharaoh's palace to the humblest slave's dwelling, signifies a judgment that spared no one and struck at the very heart of Egyptian society—the lineage, strength, and future of every household. Pharaoh's persistent "hardening of heart" (a recurring theme from [Exodus 7:3](/exodus/7-3 "God Hardens Pharaoh's Heart") onwards), his defiant refusal to "let my people go" despite repeated divine commands and escalating judgments, made this ultimate, devastating plague necessary to fulfill God's ancient promise to Abraham and deliver His people Israel.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 11:6 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, showcasing Yahweh's absolute authority over all creation, including the most powerful earthly empire. The "great cry" is the ultimate manifestation of God's righteous judgment against Pharaoh's stubbornness and Egypt's systemic oppression of His chosen people, demonstrating that God is not indifferent to the suffering of the oppressed but actively intervenes on their behalf. This verse also powerfully underscores God's **Faithfulness to His Covenant Promises**, as this climactic judgment directly facilitates the liberation of Israel, fulfilling His ancient pledge to Abraham to make him a great nation ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham")). Furthermore, it highlights God's ability to **Distinguish Between His People and Their Oppressors**, offering protection and salvation to the former while bringing decisive judgment upon the latter, a distinction made clear in [Exodus 8:22-23](/exodus/8-22-23 "God Distinguishes Israel from Egypt") and reinforced throughout the plague narratives.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cry (Hebrew, _tsaʻăqâh'_):** From H6818, meaning "a shriek; cry(-ing)." This word denotes a loud, desperate outcry of anguish, distress, or lamentation. It is not merely a complaint but a profound, visceral expression of grief and despair, often associated with deep suffering or national calamity, as seen in [1 Samuel 5:10](/1_samuel/5-10 "Great Cry in Ekron"). In Exodus 11:6, it signifies the audible manifestation of the profound and widespread loss that would sweep through every Egyptian household.
* **great (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** From H1419, meaning "great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent." The adjective *gâdôwl* amplifies the intensity and scope of the "cry," indicating an overwhelming, pervasive, and unprecedented lament. It emphasizes the magnitude of the sorrow, signifying that the wailing would be immense in volume and universal in reach, gripping every segment of Egyptian society.
* **any more (Hebrew, _yâçaph'_):** From H3254, meaning "to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing); add, again, any more." This word, combined with the negation *lôʼ* (H3808, "not"), forms the superlative phrase "nor shall be like it any more." It emphasizes the unique and unparalleled nature of this specific plague and the resulting national sorrow, signifying that such a comprehensive and devastating cry of grief would never again be experienced in Egypt's history. It underscores the finality and severity of this particular divine judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there shall be a great cry":** This declarative statement, delivered as a prophecy by Moses, announces the inevitable and widespread lamentation that is about to engulf Egypt. The use of "shall be" conveys absolute certainty and divine decree, highlighting the unstoppable nature of God's impending judgment.
* **"throughout all the land of Egypt":** This phrase emphasizes the universal and inescapable scope of the impending sorrow. No household, no social stratum—from the royal palace to the prison, from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the slave girl, and even the firstborn of livestock—would be exempt from the devastating impact. The judgment is comprehensive, touching every corner and every family within the nation.
* **"such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more":** This powerful superlative statement underscores the unprecedented and singular nature of this particular judgment. It implies that the depth, breadth, and intensity of this national grief would be unmatched in Egypt's history, both past and future. This highlights its unique role as the climactic act of divine justice against Pharaoh's stubbornness and Egypt's prolonged oppression, marking it as a definitive and unforgettable event.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **hyperbole** and **superlative language** ("none like it, nor shall be like it any more") to underscore the unparalleled severity and uniqueness of the tenth plague's impact. This rhetorical emphasis serves to magnify the power and decisiveness of God's judgment, ensuring that its significance is not understated and that the resulting national grief is understood as utterly without precedent. The vivid imagery of a "great cry" also functions as a **metonymy**, where the sound of the lament stands in for the overwhelming grief, devastation, and profound loss itself, allowing the reader to viscerally grasp the magnitude of the catastrophe.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 11:6 powerfully illustrates several core theological truths. Primarily, it underscores God's **absolute sovereignty** and His unwavering commitment to **divine justice**. This "great cry" is the culmination of God's righteous judgment against Pharaoh's persistent defiance and Egypt's systemic oppression of His people. It demonstrates that God is not indifferent to the suffering of the oppressed and will act decisively to deliver them, even if it requires severe measures against their oppressors. The verse also highlights God's **faithfulness** to His covenant promises, as this judgment directly facilitates the liberation of Israel, fulfilling His ancient pledge to Abraham. Furthermore, it reveals God's ability to **distinguish** between His people and those who defy Him, offering protection and salvation to the former while bringing judgment upon the latter.

This theme of a "great cry" of judgment and lament echoes throughout the biblical narrative, often associated with ultimate divine reckoning:
* [Exodus 3:7](/exodus/3-7 "God Hears Israel's Cry")
* [Matthew 24:21](/matthew/24-21 "Great Tribulation")
* [Revelation 18:18-19](/rev/18-18-19 "Lament Over Babylon's Fall")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 11:6 serves as a profound reminder of the seriousness of God's warnings and the inevitable, often devastating, consequences of persistent defiance against His will. It teaches us that God is not passive in the face of injustice; He hears the cries of the oppressed and acts decisively on their behalf, demonstrating both His power and His righteous character. For believers today, this passage calls us to a deeper understanding of God's nature and our responsibilities in light of it. We are called to heed God's warnings in our own lives, recognizing that spiritual hardening can lead to severe consequences. Furthermore, we are compelled to advocate for justice in our world, to be voices for the voiceless, and to work to alleviate suffering, trusting that God actively champions the cause of the vulnerable and will ultimately bring all injustice to account. Finally, it reminds us of the profound distinction God makes between those who are His and those who are not, urging us to align ourselves with Him through faith, so that we might be found under His protective grace rather than under His righteous judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly hardening my heart to God's warnings or promptings from His Word or Spirit?**
* **How does God's willingness to bring such severe judgment for the sake of His people's liberation inform my understanding of His character and His commitment to justice?**
* **What "cries" of injustice in our world today is God calling me to hear, and how might He be prompting me to respond with compassion and action?**

### FAQ
**Was this judgment fair, given that many innocent Egyptians would suffer?**

Answer: This is a common and understandable question that prompts reflection on the nature of divine justice. From a biblical perspective, God's judgments are always just, though His justice may operate on principles beyond our full human comprehension. Pharaoh's persistent hardening of his heart, despite nine prior plagues and numerous warnings, brought this ultimate consequence upon his nation. The firstborn were symbolic of the nation's strength, future, and the very essence of its households. The judgment was not arbitrary but a direct and proportional response to Pharaoh's prolonged oppression of Israel, whom God explicitly called His "firstborn" son in [Exodus 4:22-23](/exodus/4-22-23 "Israel is God's Firstborn"). While the suffering was immense, it highlighted the extreme severity of defying the Creator of the universe and oppressing His chosen people. God had given ample opportunity for repentance and release, but Pharaoh refused, thereby bringing the consequences upon his entire land.

**Does "such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more" mean no other great tragedy would ever occur?**

Answer: This phrase is best understood as a **hyperbolic superlative** specific to the context of Egypt's history and the nature of this particular plague. It emphasizes that this judgment was uniquely devastating for Egypt, unparalleled in its direct and comprehensive impact on every household, and decisive in securing Israel's freedom. It does not preclude other "great cries" or tragedies in world history (e.g., the global Flood in [Genesis 6-9](/genesis/6-9 "The Flood Narrative"), the destruction of Jerusalem in [Lamentations 2:13](/lamentations/2-13 "Lament Over Jerusalem's Destruction"), or future eschatological events described in Revelation). Rather, it highlights the singular, climactic nature of this event within the Exodus narrative, marking it as the definitive act that broke Egyptian resistance and unequivocally demonstrated Yahweh's supremacy over all the gods of Egypt.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 11:6, with its prophecy of an unparalleled "great cry" of judgment and its ultimate outcome of deliverance, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways, revealing God's consistent plan for salvation. The tenth plague, culminating in the "great cry" throughout Egypt, is a powerful type of God's ultimate judgment against sin and rebellion; while it brought physical death to Egypt's firstborn, it foreshadows the spiritual death and eternal judgment that awaits all who remain in defiance of God. Yet, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate "firstborn over all creation" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Christ is the Firstborn of All Creation")), experienced the ultimate "cry" of abandonment and suffering on the cross ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?")) to bear the judgment for humanity's sin. Through His sacrificial death, He secured the ultimate deliverance for all who believe, freeing them not from physical slavery, but from the spiritual bondage of sin and death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The Wages of Sin Is Death")). Furthermore, the "great cry" was averted for Israel through the blood of the Passover lamb applied to their doorposts ([Exodus 12:7](/exodus/12-7 "Blood on the Doorposts")), pointing directly to Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Lamb of God")). His shed blood on the cross is the ultimate sign that causes God's wrath to "pass over" those who are covered by His sacrifice, ensuring that they will not experience the "great cry" of eternal judgment. Just as God made a clear distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites, Christ's work establishes the ultimate distinction between those who are "in Christ" and those who are not, so that while the world faces a future "great cry" of judgment at Christ's return ([Revelation 6:15-17](/rev/6-15-17 "Kings of the Earth Hide from Wrath")), those who have trusted in Him will experience ultimate deliverance and eternal life, forever free from the cry of despair.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 12:30

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.

Amos 5:17

And in all vineyards [shall be] wailing: for I will pass through thee, saith the LORD.

Lamentations 3:8

Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.

Revelation 6:16

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

Revelation 6:17

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Proverbs 21:13

¶ Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

Isaiah 15:8

For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beerelim.