Exodus 11:4

¶ And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:

And Moses {H4872} said {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, About midnight {H3915}{H2676} will I go out {H3318} into the midst {H8432} of Egypt {H4714}:

Moshe said, "Here is what ADONAI says: 'About midnight I will go out into Egypt,

So Moses declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt,

And Moses said, Thus saith Jehovah, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:

Commentary

Exodus 11:4 records Moses delivering a precise and ominous prophecy from the LORD to Pharaoh, setting the stage for the tenth and final plague upon Egypt. This verse is a powerful declaration of divine judgment, detailing the exact timing and nature of the coming catastrophe that would finally compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites.

Context

This verse comes at a critical juncture in the Exodus narrative. Nine devastating plagues have already afflicted Egypt, each designed to demonstrate the LORD's supremacy over the gods of Egypt and Pharaoh's stubborn defiance. Despite immense suffering and repeated opportunities to relent, Pharaoh has consistently hardened his heart, refusing to let God's people go. Moses has just informed Pharaoh that he will never again seek his face (Exodus 10:28), and this prophecy of the final plague serves as God's ultimate word before its execution. It underscores God's foreknowledge and His commitment to delivering Israel, even through the most severe judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The LORD's declaration, "About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt," emphasizes His direct, personal, and meticulously timed intervention in human history. This was not a random event but a sovereign act of God's will against an oppressive regime and its idolatry.
  • The Clash of Deities: The death of the firstborn was a direct assault on the core of Egyptian religious belief, particularly targeting Pharaoh himself (considered a living god) and various deities associated with life, fertility, and protection. It was a clear demonstration that the God of Israel was supreme over all Egyptian gods (Exodus 12:12).
  • God's Protection of His People: While judgment would fall upon Egypt, God's people, Israel, would be spared. This foreshadows the institution of the Passover, where the blood of the lamb would mark the homes of the Israelites for protection from the destroyer (Exodus 12:13).
  • Consequences of Defiance: The verse highlights the severe consequences of persistent rebellion against God's commands and His chosen people. Pharaoh's hardening of his heart ultimately led to the most devastating loss for his nation.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Thus saith the LORD" (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה - koh amar Yahweh): This powerful phrase, frequently used by prophets, signifies that Moses is not speaking his own words but delivering a direct, authoritative message from God Himself. The use of God's covenant name, Yahweh (the LORD), emphasizes His personal relationship with Israel and His absolute power.
  • "About midnight" (כַּחֲצֹת הַלַּיְלָה - k'chatsot halaylah): The specificity of the timing underscores God's precise control and foreknowledge. This was not a vague threat but a detailed, imminent warning, making the judgment even more impactful when it occurred.
  • "I will go out into the midst of Egypt" (אֲנִי יוֹצֵא בְּתוֹךְ מִצְרָיִם - ani yotzei b'tokh Mitzrayim): The phrase "I will go out" indicates God's active, personal involvement in executing the judgment. "Into the midst of Egypt" suggests a pervasive and unavoidable judgment that would affect every household in the land.

Practical Application

Exodus 11:4 reminds us that God is a God of justice who sees oppression and hears the cries of His people. While He is patient, there are consequences for persistent sin and defiance of His will. This verse also points to the ultimate deliverance God provides for His own, often through dramatic and powerful means. Just as the Israelites were delivered from bondage in Egypt, believers today find deliverance from the bondage of sin through the greater Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ. It encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, both in judgment and in salvation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 12:29 (6 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that [was] in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.

  • Exodus 12:12 (4 votes)

    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.

  • Psalms 60:10 (4 votes)

    [Wilt] not thou, O God, [which] hadst cast us off? and [thou], O God, [which] didst not go out with our armies?

  • Amos 4:10 (4 votes)

    I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

  • Job 34:20 (4 votes)

    In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.

  • Matthew 25:6 (3 votes)

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

  • Exodus 12:23 (3 votes)

    For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite [you].