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 is a chilling divine prophecy delivered to Pharaoh, foretelling an unparalleled national lament throughout Egypt as a direct consequence of the tenth and final plague—the death of the firstborn. This verse emphasizes the unique and devastating nature of God's ultimate judgment, designed to break Pharaoh's hardened resistance and secure the long-awaited liberation of Israel.

### CONTEXT
**Literary Context:**
This verse is the climax of God's final warning to Pharaoh, delivered through Moses, regarding the tenth plague. It follows God's explicit declaration that "about midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt, and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die" ([Exodus 11:4-5](/exodus/11-4 "God's warning of the tenth plague")). The "great cry" predicted in [Exodus 11:6](/exodus/11-6 "The great cry in Egypt") 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." This immediate juxtaposition highlights God's clear distinction between His covenant people and their oppressors, setting the stage for Israel's exodus.

**Historical & Cultural Context:**
Ancient Egypt was a polytheistic society, with Pharaoh considered a divine king, a son of Ra. The plagues were not random acts of destruction but targeted assaults on specific Egyptian deities and their perceived domains, demonstrating Yahweh's supreme power. The "great cry" (Hebrew: *tse'aqah gedolah*) was a common expression of profound 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 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) in defiance of God's repeated commands made this ultimate, devastating judgment necessary to fulfill God's promise to Abraham and deliver Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
**Key Word Analysis:**
* ***Tse'aqah Gedolah*** (צְעָקָה גְדֹלָה): Translated "great cry." *Tse'aqah* denotes a loud, desperate shriek, an outcry of anguish, distress, or lamentation, often associated with deep suffering or national calamity ([1 Samuel 5:10](/1_samuel/5-10 "Great cry in Ekron")). It's not merely a complaint but a profound, visceral expression of grief. The adjective *gedolah* ("great," "large," "intense") amplifies this, indicating an overwhelming, pervasive, and unprecedented lament that would grip every household in Egypt. This "great cry" is the audible manifestation of the profound loss and despair that would sweep the nation.
* **"Such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more":** This superlative phrase emphasizes the unique and unparalleled nature of this specific plague and the resulting national sorrow. It signifies a judgment of ultimate finality and severity, designed to compel Pharaoh to release Israel. While other "great cries" occurred in history (e.g., [Joel 2:2](/joel/2-2 "A day of darkness and gloom")), this phrase highlights the *specific* nature of this judgment as a singular, decisive event in the history of Egypt, directly orchestrated by Yahweh to accomplish His redemptive purpose. It underscores the divine uniqueness of this particular act of 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. The use of "shall be" conveys certainty and divine decree.
* **"throughout all the land of Egypt":** This phrase emphasizes the universal 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 and inescapable for the Egyptians.
* **"such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more":** This powerful hyperbolic statement underscores the unprecedented and singular nature of this particular judgment. It implies that the depth and breadth of this national grief would be unmatched in Egypt's history, both past and future, signifying its unique role as the climactic act of divine justice against Pharaoh's stubbornness and Egypt's oppression.

**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. The vivid imagery of a "great cry" also functions as a **metonymy**, where the sound of the lament stands in for the overwhelming grief and devastation itself.

### 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:
* God heard the "cry" of the oppressed Israelites in their bondage, prompting His intervention ([Exodus 3:7](/exodus/3-7 "God hears Israel's cry")).
* The "great cry" foreshadows future, unparalleled times of distress and judgment, such as the "great tribulation" described by Jesus ([Matthew 24:21](/matthew/24-21 "Great tribulation")).
* It also resonates with the laments over the fall of wicked empires, like the "great cry" of mourning over Babylon's destruction in the book of Revelation, where no one is left to mourn her ([Revelation 18:18-19](/revelation/18-18 "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 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. For us today, this means:

* **Heeding God's Warnings:** Just as Pharaoh ignored repeated warnings, we are called to take God's word seriously. Disregarding His commands or delaying repentance can lead to severe, undesirable consequences.
* **Advocating for Justice:** The verse reminds us of God's heart for the oppressed. We are called to be agents of justice in our world, speaking out against injustice and working to alleviate suffering, trusting that God actively champions the cause of the vulnerable.
* **Understanding God's Distinction:** God makes a clear distinction between those who are His and those who are not. While His common grace extends to all, ultimate salvation and protection are reserved for those who align themselves with Him through faith.

**Thought-Provoking Questions:**
* In what areas of my life might I be subtly hardening my heart to God's warnings or promptings?
* How does God's willingness to bring such severe judgment for the sake of His people's liberation inform my understanding of His character?
* What "cries" of injustice in our world today is God calling me to hear and respond to?

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

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

**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 Flood, the destruction of Jerusalem, or future eschatological events). 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 demonstrated Yahweh's supremacy.

### 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:

* **The Ultimate Judgment and Deliverance:** The tenth plague, culminating in the "great cry," 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. Jesus Christ, however, is the ultimate "firstborn" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Christ is the firstborn of all creation")), who 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 death, He secured the ultimate deliverance for all who believe, freeing them not from physical slavery, but from the bondage of sin and death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The wages of sin is death")).

* **The Lamb Who Averts Judgment:** 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")). This points 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.

* **The Final Distinction:** 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. While the world faces a future "great cry" of judgment at Christ's return ([Revelation 6:15-17](/revelation/6-15 "Kings of the earth hide from wrath")), those who have trusted in Him will experience ultimate deliverance and eternal life, 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.