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.

And Pharaoh {H6547} rose up {H6965} in the night {H3915}, he, and all his servants {H5650}, and all the Egyptians {H4714}; and there was a great {H1419} cry {H6818} in Egypt {H4714}; for there was not a house {H1004} where there was not one dead {H4191}.

Pharaoh got up in the night, he, all his servants and all the Egyptians; and there was horrendous wailing in Egypt; for there wasn't a single house without someone dead in it.

During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead.

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.

Exodus 12:30 vividly describes the immediate, devastating aftermath of the tenth and final plague in ancient Egypt: the death of the firstborn. This verse marks the climactic moment that finally breaks Pharaoh's stubborn resistance, leading directly to the release of the enslaved Israelites after centuries of bondage. The "great cry" reverberating throughout the land underscores the unprecedented and universal sorrow that gripped the nation.

Context

This verse represents the devastating culmination of a series of nine plagues sent by God upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the enslaved Israelites. Pharaoh had repeatedly hardened his heart, despite increasing signs of God's overwhelming power and judgment. The tenth plague, detailed in Exodus 11:4-6 and executed in Exodus 12:29, specifically targeted the firstborn of every Egyptian household, from Pharaoh's heir to the firstborn of captives and even livestock. This divine act of judgment directly followed the institution of the Passover, where Israelite families were instructed to sacrifice a lamb and apply its blood to their doorposts as a sign for the angel of death to "pass over" their homes. The "great cry" in Egypt underscores the universal devastation, fulfilling God's earlier warnings to Moses about the consequences of Pharaoh's defiance.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Power: Exodus 12:30 powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty and His capacity to execute severe judgment on those who defy Him. Pharaoh's persistent stubbornness met its ultimate consequence, revealing that no human power or earthly kingdom can stand against the Almighty.
  • Severity of Sin and Disobedience: The widespread death serves as a stark reminder of the grave consequences of persistent rebellion against God's explicit commands. Pharaoh's refusal to "let my people go" brought unimaginable grief and loss upon his entire nation.
  • Distinction and Deliverance: While Egypt experienced unparalleled sorrow and loss, the Israelites, protected by the blood of the Passover lamb, were miraculously spared. This highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant people and His unwavering commitment to their deliverance from bondage.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This climactic event was precisely as God had foretold to Moses, demonstrating the reliability of God's word and the certainty of His perfect plan.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "a great cry" (Hebrew: tse'aqah gedolah) is profoundly impactful, emphasizing the pervasive and intense wailing throughout Egypt. It wasn't just isolated mourning; it was a nationwide lamentation, indicating the depth of the tragedy and the universality of death in every Egyptian home. The KJV's parenthetical clarification, "for [there was] not a house where [there was] not one dead," further underscores the unimaginable scope of this plague, leaving no family untouched by loss.

Practical Application

Exodus 12:30 serves as a timeless reminder of God's justice and the seriousness of rejecting His divine will. While God is infinitely merciful and patient, He is also perfectly just, and there are profound consequences for persistent disobedience and rebellion against His commands.

This verse also underscores the critical importance of God's provision for salvation. Just as the blood of the Passover lamb protected Israel from the angel of death, believers today find redemption and protection through the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ, our ultimate Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). This historical event powerfully illustrates the futility of resisting God; Pharaoh's immense pride and power were utterly broken by divine intervention, teaching us that true wisdom lies in humility and obedience to God's commands.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Exodus 11:6

    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.

  • Amos 5:17

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

  • Proverbs 21:13

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

  • Matthew 25:6

    And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

  • James 2:13

    For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
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