Exodus 12:33

33 And the Egyptians were forcing the people on, to get them out of the land quickly; for they said, We are all dead men.

Exodus 12:33 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 12:33

And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people
The people of Israel; not using force, but strong entreaties, the most powerful arguments, and importunate language they were masters of:

that they might send them out of the land in haste:
this looks as if it was the people about Pharaoh, his ministers and courtiers, they were pressing upon to dismiss the Israelites at once, and to hasten their departure; or else Moses and Aaron, and the elders of the people, to stir them up to a quick dispatch of their affairs, that they might be soon rid of them; unless the sense is, that they were very solicitous and earnest with the people, that they would get away out of the land as fast as they could:

for they said, we [be] all dead [men];
for their firstborn being all slain, they expected that they themselves, and the rest of their families, would be struck with death next; and this they feared would be the case in a very little time, if they did not depart;

for they had sufficient reason to convince them,
that it was purely on their account, and because they had not leave to go out of the land, that all the above judgments, and particularly the last, were inflicted on them.

Exodus 12:33 In-Context

31 And he sent for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Get up and go out from among my people, you and the children of Israel; go and give worship to the Lord as you have said.
32 And take your flocks and your herds as you have said, and be gone; and give me your blessing.
33 And the Egyptians were forcing the people on, to get them out of the land quickly; for they said, We are all dead men.
34 And the people took their bread-paste before it was leavened, putting their basins in their clothing on their backs.
35 And the children of Israel had done as Moses had said; and they got from the Egyptians ornaments of silver and of gold, and clothing:
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