Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well. New Living Translation And that night at midnight, the LORD struck down all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn son of the prisoner in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed. English Standard Version At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock. Berean Standard Bible Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. King James Bible 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. New King James Version And it came to pass at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. New American Standard Bible Now it came about at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of cattle. NASB 1995 Now it came about at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of cattle. NASB 1977 Now it came about at midnight that the LORD struck all the first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the first-born of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the first-born of cattle. Legacy Standard Bible Now it happened at midnight that Yahweh struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of cattle. Amplified Bible Now it happened at midnight that the LORD struck every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the cattle. Christian Standard Bible Now at midnight the LORD struck every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in the dungeon, and every firstborn of the livestock. Holman Christian Standard Bible Now at midnight the LORD struck every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in the dungeon, and every firstborn of the livestock. American Standard Version And it came to pass at midnight, that Jehovah smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the first-born of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the first-born of cattle. Contemporary English Version At midnight the LORD killed the first-born son of every Egyptian family, from the son of the king to the son of every prisoner in jail. He also killed the first-born male of every animal that belonged to the Egyptians. English Revised Version And it came to pass at midnight, that 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation At midnight the LORD killed every firstborn male in Egypt from the firstborn son of Pharaoh who ruled the land to the firstborn son of the prisoner in jail, and also every firstborn animal. Good News Translation At midnight the LORD killed all the first-born sons in Egypt, from the king's son, who was heir to the throne, to the son of the prisoner in the dungeon; all the first-born of the animals were also killed. International Standard Version And so at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock. Majority Standard Bible Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. NET Bible It happened at midnight--the LORD attacked all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the prison, and all the firstborn of the cattle. New Heart English Bible It happened at midnight, that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of livestock. Webster's Bible Translation And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sat on his throne, to the first-born of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the first-born of cattle. World English Bible At midnight, Yahweh struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd it comes to pass, at midnight, that YHWH has struck every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who is sitting on his throne, to the firstborn of the captive who [is] in the prison-house, and every firstborn of beasts. Young's Literal Translation And it cometh to pass, at midnight, that Jehovah hath smitten every first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh who is sitting on his throne, unto the first-born of the captive who is in the prison-house, and every first-born of beasts. Smith's Literal Translation And it will be in the middle of the night, and Jehovah struck every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh sitting upon his throne, to the first-born of the captive which is in the house of the pit; and every first-born of the cattle. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd it came to pass at midnight, the Lord slew every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharao, who sat on his throne, unto the firstborn of the captive woman that was in the prison, and all the firstborn of cattle. Catholic Public Domain Version Then it happened, in the middle of the night: the Lord struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the captive woman who was in prison, and all the firstborn of the cattle. New American Bible And so at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh sitting on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn of the animals. New Revised Standard Version At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd it came to pass that at midnight the LORD slew all the first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the first-born of the captive who was in the prison; and all the first-born of cattle. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And it was in the middle of the night and LORD JEHOVAH killed all of the firstborn of the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne and unto the firstborn of the captive that is in the house of prisoners and all the firstborn of oxen. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And it came to pass at midnight, that the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the first-born of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the first-born of cattle. Brenton Septuagint Translation And it came to pass at midnight that the Lord smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharao that sat on the throne, to the first-born of the captive-maid in the dungeon, and the first-born of all cattle. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Tenth Plague: Death of the Firstborn29Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. 30During 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.… Cross References Psalm 78:51 He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham. Psalm 105:36 Then He struck all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigor. Hebrews 11:28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn. Numbers 33:4 who were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck down among them; for the LORD had executed judgment against their gods. Psalm 135:8 He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, of both man and beast. Psalm 136:10 He struck down the firstborn of Egypt His loving devotion endures forever. Acts 7:36 He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness. Revelation 11:8 Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city—figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where their Lord was also crucified. 1 Samuel 6:6 Why harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened theirs? When He afflicted them, did they not send the people out so they could go on their way? Romans 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Exodus 4:23 and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’” Exodus 11:4-5 So Moses declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt, / and every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the servant girl behind the hand mill, as well as the firstborn of all the cattle. Exodus 13:15 And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’ Deuteronomy 6:21-22 then you are to tell him, “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. / Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household. Nehemiah 9:10 You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day. Treasury of Scripture 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 to the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. at midnight Exodus 12:12 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. Exodus 11:4 And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: Exodus 13:15 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem. the Lord smote. Numbers 3:13 Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD. Numbers 8:17 For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself. Numbers 33:4 For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments. the first-born of Pharaoh Exodus 4:23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn. Exodus 11:5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts. dungeon. Isaiah 24:22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. Isaiah 51:14 The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail. Jeremiah 38:6,13 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire… Jump to Previous Births Captive Cattle Child Death Dungeon Egypt First Firstborn First-Born Livestock Male Middle Midnight Night Pharaoh Power Prison Prisoner Sat Seat Smote Struck ThroneJump to Next Births Captive Cattle Child Death Dungeon Egypt First Firstborn First-Born Livestock Male Middle Midnight Night Pharaoh Power Prison Prisoner Sat Seat Smote Struck ThroneExodus 12 1. The beginning of the year is changed3. The Passover is instituted 11. The import of the rite of the Passover 15. Unleavened bread 29. The firstborn are slain 31. The Israelites are driven out of the land 37. They come to Succoth 41. The time of their sojourning 43. The ordinance of the Passover Now at midnight The timing of midnight is significant as it represents a moment of transition and judgment. In biblical terms, midnight often symbolizes a time of divine intervention or deliverance (e.g., Acts 16:25-26). It underscores the suddenness and unexpected nature of God's actions. the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon as well as all the firstborn among the livestock Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, who executes judgment on Egypt, demonstrating His power and sovereignty. 2. Pharaoh The ruler of Egypt, whose heart was hardened against releasing the Israelites, leading to this final plague. 3. Firstborn of Egypt The firstborn males of both humans and livestock, representing the strength and future of Egypt, who were struck down. 4. Egypt The land where the Israelites were enslaved, experiencing God's judgment through the plagues. 5. Midnight The specific time when the LORD executed this judgment, emphasizing the suddenness and completeness of the act. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and JusticeThis event demonstrates God's ultimate authority over nations and His ability to execute justice. Believers can trust in God's righteous judgment. The Cost of Disobedience Pharaoh's refusal to heed God's command led to devastating consequences. This serves as a warning about the dangers of hardening one's heart against God. The Significance of the Firstborn In biblical times, the firstborn held a place of honor and responsibility. This plague underscores the seriousness of God's claim over what is rightfully His. Protection through Obedience The Israelites were spared through their obedience in applying the blood of the lamb, pointing to the protective power of Christ's sacrifice for believers. God's Faithfulness to His Promises The deliverance of Israel from Egypt fulfills God's covenant promises, encouraging believers to trust in His faithfulness.THE TENTH PLAGUE. (29, 30) The nature of the tenth plague is indubitable, but as to the exact agency which was employed there may be different views. In every family in which the firstborn child had been a male, that child was stricken with death. Pharaoh's firstborn son--the erpa suten sa--the heir to his throne, was taken; and so in all other families. Nobles, priests, tradesmen, artisans, peasants, fishermen--all alike suffered. In the hyperbolic language of the narrator, "there was not a house where there was not one dead." And the deaths took place "at midnight," in the weirdest hour, at the most silent time, in the deepest darkness. So it had been prophesied (Exodus 11:4); but the particular night had not been announced. As several days had elapsed since the announcement, the Egyptians may have been wrapt in fancied security. Suddenly the calamity fell upon them and "there was a great cry." Death did not come, as upon the host of Sennacherib, noiselessly, unperceivedly, but "with observation." Those who were seized woke up and aroused their relatives. There was a cry for help, a general alarm, a short, sharp struggle and then a death. The visitation is ordinarily ascribed to God Himself (Exodus 4:23; Exodus 11:4; Exodus 12:12; Exodus 12:27; Exodus 12:29; Exodus 13:15, &c), but in Exodus 12:23 to "the destroyer." It has been already shown that this expression points to angelic agency. That agency, however, does not exclude a further natural one. As in 2 Samuel 24 the seventy thousand whom the destroying angel killed (Exodus 12:16) are said to have been slain by a pestilence (Exodus 12:15), so it may have been here. Pestilence often rages in Egypt in the spring of the year, and carries off thousands in a very short space. As with so many of the other plagues, God may here too have employed a natural agency. None the less would the plague have been miraculous--(1) in its intensity; (2) in its coming at the time prophesied, viz., midnight; (3) in its selection of victims, viz., the firstborn males only, and all of them; (4) in its avoidance of the Israelites; and (5) in its extension, as prophesied, to the firstborn of animals. . . . Verses 29, 30. - THE TENTH PLAGUE. At last the time had come for the dealing of the final blow. Nine plagues had been sent, nine inflictions endured, and no serious effect had been produced. Once or twice Pharaoh had wavered, had made profession of submitting himself, had even acknowledged his sin. But each time he had relapsed into obstinacy. Now at length the fiat had gone forth for that last plague which had been announced the first (Exodus 4:23). Pharaoh's own son, his firstborn, the heir to his throne, was smitten with death, in common with all the other male Egyptians who had "opened the womb." What the effect on the king would have been, had he alone suffered, we cannot certainly say. As it was, the whole population of the country, nobles, tradesmen, peasants, suffered with him; and the feeling aroused was so intense that the popular movement left him no choice. The Egyptians everywhere "rose up in the night" (ver. 30), and raised "a great cry," and insisted that the Israelites should depart at once (ver. 33). Each man feared for himself, and felt his life insecure, so long as a single Israelite remained in the land. Verse 29. - At midnight. As prophesied by Moses (Exodus 11:4). The day had not been fixed, and this uncertainty must have added to the horror of the situation. The first-born of Pharaoh. We have no proof that the eldest son of Menephthah died before his father, unless we take this passage as proving it. He left a son, called Seti-Menephthah, or Seti II, who either succeeded him, or reigned after a short interval, during which the throne was held by Ammonmes, a usurper. The first-born of the captive who was in the dungeon. This phrase takes the place of another expression, viz. "the first-born of the maid-servant that is behind the mill" (Exodus 11:5). In both cases, the general meaning is, "all, from the highest to the lowest." This is perhaps the whole that is in the writer's thought; but it is also true that captives in dungeons were in some cases employed in turning hand-mills (Judges 16:21). And all the first-born of cattle. Rather, "of beasts." There is no limitation of the plague to domesticated animals.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Nowוַיְהִ֣י ׀ (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be at midnight בַּחֲצִ֣י (ba·ḥă·ṣî) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2677: The half, middle the LORD וַֽיהוָה֮ (Yah·weh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel struck down הִכָּ֣ה (hik·kāh) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5221: To strike every כָל־ (ḵāl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every firstborn בְּכוֹר֮ (bə·ḵō·wr) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief male in the land בְּאֶ֣רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 776: Earth, land of Egypt, מִצְרַיִם֒ (miṣ·ra·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa from the firstborn מִבְּכֹ֤ר (mib·bə·ḵōr) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief of Pharaoh, פַּרְעֹה֙ (par·‘ōh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings who sat הַיֹּשֵׁ֣ב (hay·yō·šêḇ) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against his throne, כִּסְא֔וֹ (kis·’ōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3678: Seat of honor, throne to עַ֚ד (‘aḏ) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while the firstborn בְּכ֣וֹר (bə·ḵō·wr) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief of the prisoner הַשְּׁבִ֔י (haš·šə·ḇî) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7628: Exiled, captured, exile, booty in the dungeon, בְּבֵ֣ית (bə·ḇêṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house as well as all וְכֹ֖ל (wə·ḵōl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the firstborn בְּכ֥וֹר (bə·ḵō·wr) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief among the livestock. בְּהֵמָֽה׃ (bə·hê·māh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal Links Exodus 12:29 NIVExodus 12:29 NLT Exodus 12:29 ESV Exodus 12:29 NASB Exodus 12:29 KJV Exodus 12:29 BibleApps.com Exodus 12:29 Biblia Paralela Exodus 12:29 Chinese Bible Exodus 12:29 French Bible Exodus 12:29 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 12:29 It happened at midnight that Yahweh struck (Exo. 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