Exodus 12:41

KJV

And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass at the end {H7093} of the four {H702} hundred {H3967}{H8141} and thirty {H7970} years {H8141}, even the selfsame {H6106} day {H3117} it came to pass, that all the hosts {H6635} of the LORD {H3068} went out {H3318} from the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

At the end of 430 years to the day, all the divisions of ADONAI left the land of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible

At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass at the end of four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of Jehovah went out from the land of Egypt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 12:41 records the precise, divinely orchestrated departure of the Israelites from Egypt after exactly 430 years, highlighting God's unwavering faithfulness to His ancient promises and His sovereign power to deliver His people as a unified, divinely-led "host." This pivotal moment marks the culmination of the Abrahamic covenant's initial fulfillment and the miraculous birth of Israel as a distinct nation, demonstrating God's meticulous control over history and His commitment to His redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic conclusion to the narrative of the ten plagues and the institution of the Passover. Immediately preceding this, Pharaoh, broken by the death of the firstborn throughout Egypt, finally commands Moses and Aaron to take the Israelites and depart ([Exodus 12:31-32](/exodus/12-31-32 "Pharaoh commands Moses and Aaron to depart")). The Israelites, having observed the first Passover and secured divine protection, gather their belongings and leave, even plundering the Egyptians as they go, fulfilling God's earlier promise ([Exodus 12:35-36](/exodus/12-35-36 "Israelites plunder the Egyptians")). Following this verse, the text continues to detail the regulations for the Passover ([Exodus 12:43-51](/exodus/12-43-51 "Passover regulations")) and then transitions to the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, led by the pillar of cloud and fire ([Exodus 13:17-22](/exodus/13-17-22 "God leads Israel through the wilderness")). Thus, [Exodus 12:41](/exodus/12-41 "The Exodus") acts as the definitive statement of the Exodus event itself, marking the literal fulfillment of prophecy and the physical liberation of God's people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Exodus from Egypt is the foundational event in Israelite history, shaping their identity as a people chosen and redeemed by Yahweh. The "four hundred and thirty years" refers to the entire period from Abraham's arrival in Canaan and the promise of a great nation to the Exodus itself, encompassing the time Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived in Canaan, and the subsequent period of enslavement in Egypt. This duration underscores God's long-term plan and patience, fulfilling the prophecy given to Abraham in [Genesis 15:13-16](/genesis/15-13-16 "God's covenant with Abraham and prophecy of affliction"). Egyptian society was highly structured, with Pharaoh at its apex, considered a god-king. The Israelites' departure was not a clandestine escape but a public, divinely-empowered exodus, challenging the very authority of Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt. This event established Yahweh's supremacy over all other deities and demonstrated His commitment to His covenant people, transforming a subjugated people into a distinct nation under His direct leadership, ready to receive His law and inherit His promises.

* **Key Themes:** [Exodus 12:41](/exodus/12-41 "The Exodus") powerfully contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. First, it underscores God's **unwavering faithfulness** to His covenant promises, demonstrating that despite centuries of waiting and severe oppression, God meticulously fulfills His word on the exact day. Second, it highlights God's **absolute sovereignty over history and time**, revealing that His plans unfold according to His perfect timetable, not human expectations or limitations. Third, the description of the Israelites as "hosts of the LORD" emphasizes God's **transformative power** and His ability to deliver His people from the strongest oppression, turning a nation of slaves into a divinely-appointed multitude. This act of deliverance is a foundational theme, establishing God as the Redeemer who acts decisively to liberate His people and form them into a holy nation, setting the stage for the giving of the Law and the journey to the Promised Land, as seen in subsequent chapters like [Exodus 19](/exodus/19 "The Covenant at Sinai").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **end (Hebrew, _qêts'_):** From H7093, meaning "an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after; [phrase] after, (utmost) border, end, (in-) finite, [idiom] process." In this context, "at the end" signifies the precise culmination of a divinely appointed period. It emphasizes that the 430 years was not an arbitrary duration but a finite, predetermined span, reaching its absolute conclusion on this specific day, demonstrating God's precise control over time and history.
* **selfsame (Hebrew, _ʻetsem'_):** From H6106, meaning "a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame; body, bone, [idiom] life, (self-) same, strength, [idiom] very." When combined with "day" (yôwm, H3117), "selfsame day" (b'etzem hayom hazeh) is a powerful idiom conveying absolute punctuality and exactness. It means "on the very bone of that day" or "on that very day itself," underscoring that the Exodus was not a random event or a hasty reaction, but the culmination of a divine plan executed with perfect, unyielding precision.
* **hosts (Hebrew, _tsâbâʼ'_):** From H6635, meaning "a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship); appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare)." This term, often translated as "armies" or "organized bodies," transforms the image of a scattered, oppressed slave population into a divinely marshaled, disciplined multitude. They did not flee as fugitives but marched out as an organized, powerful assembly under God's command. This signifies their new identity as God's chosen people, ready to be formed into a nation and fulfill His purposes, demonstrating God's power to transform and organize.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years":** This opening clause immediately establishes the fulfillment of a long-standing divine promise, emphasizing the passage of a specific, divinely ordained period. It highlights God's faithfulness to His word spoken centuries earlier to Abraham concerning his descendants' sojourn and affliction.
* **"even the selfsame day it came to pass":** This repetition and emphatic phrase ("selfsame day") powerfully underscore the absolute precision of God's timing. The reiteration of "it came to pass" reinforces the certainty and historical reality of the event, leaving no doubt that the deliverance occurred exactly when God intended, to the very day.
* **"that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt":** This final clause describes the momentous event itself, portraying the Israelites not as a disorganized rabble but as a divinely ordered and powerful "host," marching out under the direct leadership and authority of Yahweh. This signifies their transformation from enslaved individuals into a unified, dignified people, demonstrating God's might and their new, divinely-appointed status.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 12:41 masterfully employs **repetition** and **emphatic phrasing** to underscore the certainty and precision of God's action. The phrase "it came to pass" is repeated, lending a sense of historical inevitability and divine orchestration to the Exodus. The addition of "even the selfsame day" serves as powerful **emphasis**, highlighting God's meticulous punctuality and unwavering faithfulness to His promises. Furthermore, the use of "hosts of the LORD" is a profound **metaphor** or **metonymy**, transforming the image of a subjugated slave population into a divinely organized and powerful army. This literary choice not only elevates the status of the departing Israelites but also magnifies the power and authority of Yahweh, who leads them out not as fugitives, but as a triumphant, divinely-marshaled force.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 12:41 powerfully teaches several core theological truths. Primarily, it demonstrates God's **unwavering faithfulness** to His covenant promises. Despite centuries of waiting and severe oppression, God meticulously fulfilled His word to Abraham ([Genesis 15:13-16](/genesis/15-13-16 "God's prophecy to Abraham about his descendants")) on the exact day. This highlights God's **sovereignty over history and time**, showing that His plans unfold according to His perfect timetable, not human expectations or limitations. Furthermore, the description of the Israelites as "hosts of the LORD" underscores God's **transformative power** and His ability to deliver His people from the strongest oppression, turning a nation of slaves into a divinely-appointed army. This act of deliverance is a foundational theme, establishing God as the Redeemer who acts decisively to liberate His people and establish His kingdom.

This theme of divine deliverance and faithfulness resonates throughout the biblical narrative:
* [Deuteronomy 7:8](/deuteronomy/7-8 "God's love and faithfulness to Israel") reiterates that God delivered Israel because of His love and His oath to their fathers, emphasizing the covenantal basis of the Exodus.
* [Psalm 105:43](/psalms/105-43 "God bringing out His people with joy") celebrates God's bringing out His people with joy and His chosen ones with singing, emphasizing the triumph and joyful liberation of the Exodus.
* [Joshua 21:45](/joshua/21-45 "God's promises fulfilled to Israel") declares that "Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass," a powerful testament to God's consistent faithfulness, rooted in the historical reality of the Exodus.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 12:41 offers profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us that God is a God of promises, and He always keeps His word, even if fulfillment takes a long time or involves periods of intense difficulty. His timing is perfect, even when we experience delays, setbacks, or when our waiting period feels prolonged. The "selfsame day" emphasizes that God's plan unfolds with absolute precision, assuring us that no detail is overlooked and no promise forgotten. Just as He delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage with precise timing and overwhelming power, He continues to work in our lives, bringing freedom from spiritual bondage, fulfilling His purposes, and leading us through challenges. This verse is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness and His sovereign control over all of history and every individual life. It calls us to trust in His perfect timing and His ability to transform our circumstances, turning our periods of waiting into opportunities to witness His exact and powerful intervention.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what area of your life are you currently waiting on God's timing, and how can the precision of Exodus 12:41 strengthen your trust in His perfect plan?**
* **How does the transformation of the Israelites from "slaves" to "hosts of the LORD" inspire you about God's ability to change your identity or circumstances, even in seemingly impossible situations?**
* **What "bondage" or difficult situation in your life do you need God's precise and powerful deliverance from today, and how does this verse encourage you to pray with renewed faith?**

### FAQ
**Why is there a difference between 430 years in Exodus and 400 years in Genesis 15:13?**

Answer: The 400 years in [Genesis 15:13](/genesis/15-13 "God's prophecy to Abraham about affliction") refers specifically to the period of affliction and enslavement that Abraham's descendants would endure in a foreign land. The 430 years in [Exodus 12:41](/exodus/12-41 "The Exodus") and affirmed in [Galatians 3:17](/galatians/3-17 "Paul on the Law and Promise") is generally understood to encompass the entire period from God's covenant with Abraham (when he was a "stranger" in a land not his own) to the Exodus. This includes the approximately 215 years Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived in Canaan before Jacob's family moved to Egypt, plus the subsequent 215 years in Egypt, culminating in the enslavement. Both numbers are accurate, referring to slightly different, but related, durations within God's overarching redemptive plan.

**Does "hosts of the LORD" mean the Israelites were a trained army at this point?**

Answer: Not necessarily a trained military army in the conventional sense, equipped for battle. The term *tzâbâʼ* (hosts) implies an organized, disciplined, and numerous body, rather than a chaotic rabble. It emphasizes that their departure was not a disorganized escape but an orderly, divinely-commanded procession. It highlights their new identity as God's chosen people, marching under His banner, transformed from enslaved individuals into a unified, purposeful "company" or "assembly" ready to serve His purposes. It signifies divine order, power, and a collective identity under God's leadership, rather than immediate military prowess. Their subsequent battles (e.g., against the Amalekites in [Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8-16 "Battle against Amalek")) show their military development came later, under divine guidance.

**What is the significance of "the selfsame day"?**

Answer: "The selfsame day" (Hebrew: *b'etzem hayom hazeh*) is a powerful idiom that emphasizes absolute precision and punctuality. It literally means "on the very bone of that day," leaving no room for ambiguity, delay, or chance. Its profound significance lies in demonstrating God's meticulous faithfulness to His promises. It shows that God's plan unfolded exactly as He foretold, to the precise day, reinforcing His sovereignty, reliability, and complete control over all circumstances and timelines. It assures the reader that God's word is utterly dependable and that His redemptive purposes will be fulfilled with perfect accuracy, regardless of human obstacles or the passage of time.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Exodus, culminating in the precise deliverance of [Exodus 12:41](/exodus/12-41 "The Exodus"), is one of the most significant typological events in the Old Testament, pointing directly to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God delivered Israel from physical bondage in Egypt, Jesus Christ brings about a greater, spiritual deliverance from the bondage of sin and death. The Passover lamb, whose blood marked the homes of the Israelites for salvation from death ([Exodus 12:1-13](/exodus/12-1-13 "Passover institution")), is explicitly fulfilled in Jesus, who is identified by John the Baptist as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God")). His sacrificial death on the cross is the ultimate act of deliverance, freeing humanity from the dominion of sin and the power of Satan, just as the blood of the lamb secured Israel's freedom. The "hosts of the LORD" marching out of Egypt foreshadows the new spiritual "host" – the Church – redeemed by Christ's blood and marching under His leadership, no longer slaves to sin but children of God, called to fulfill His purposes in the world ([1 Peter 2:9-10](/1_peter/2-9-10 "A chosen race, a royal priesthood")). The precise timing of the Exodus also prefigures God's perfect timing in sending Christ "in the fullness of time" ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "God sent his Son in the fullness of time")) to accomplish salvation, demonstrating that Christ's redemptive work was not an afterthought but the culmination of God's eternal plan, meticulously executed to the very day.

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

Acts 1:7

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

Habakkuk 2:3

For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

John 7:8

Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.

Exodus 12:17

And ye shall observe [the feast of] unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.

Joshua 5:14

And he said, Nay; but [as] captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

Daniel 9:24

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Psalms 102:13

Thou shalt arise, [and] have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.