What significance does the phrase "I will pass through" hold in Exodus 12:12? Setting the Scene “For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and I will strike down every firstborn male 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 12:12) What the Phrase Literally Says • “I will pass through” translates a Hebrew verb (ʿābar) that pictures decisive movement across a territory. • The subject is God Himself—no intermediary angel is named here; the LORD is taking personal action. Four Layers of Meaning in “I Will Pass Through” 1. Personal Involvement • God does not merely send calamity; He personally traverses Egypt. • Echoes Genesis 18:20-21 where the LORD says He will “go down” to see Sodom—divine presence ensures perfect justice. 2. Swift, Unstoppable Judgment • The verb conveys purposeful motion—God is not lingering; judgment will be completed in one night (Exodus 12:12, 29). • Similar urgency appears in Isaiah 31:5 where the LORD “will pass over” and protect Jerusalem, highlighting sovereignty. 3. Exposure and Defeat of False Gods • “Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment” is tied grammatically to “pass through,” showing that as He moves, every idol is unmasked (Numbers 33:4). • ʿābar thus marks a royal procession of victory over Egypt’s pantheon (cf. Psalm 96:4-5). 4. Separation and Shelter • While God “passes through” Egypt, He “passes over” the homes marked by lamb’s blood (Exodus 12:13). • The same God whose presence brings death to Egypt brings life to Israel—foreshadowing Christ, the true Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). Connections Forward and Backward • Exodus 11:4 already announced “about midnight I will go throughout Egypt,” linking ʿābar with earlier warning. • Later echoes: – Amos 5:17 warns of a day when the LORD will again “pass through” in judgment upon Israel’s rebellion. – In Luke 12:40, Jesus urges readiness because “the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect,” picking up the Passover theme of sudden divine visitation. Why It Matters Today • God’s presence is never neutral: it either judges or saves, depending on the blood of the Lamb. • The certainty of His “passing through” urges believers to live under the covering of Christ’s sacrifice and to trust His ultimate victory over every false god. |
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