Exodus 12:33

33 The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. “For otherwise,” they said, “we will all die!”

Exodus 12:33 in Other Translations

KJV
33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.
ESV
33 The Egyptians were urgent with the people to send them out of the land in haste. For they said, "We shall all be dead."
NLT
33 All the Egyptians urged the people of Israel to get out of the land as quickly as possible, for they thought, “We will all die!”
MSG
33 The Egyptians couldn't wait to get rid of them; they pushed them to hurry up, saying, "We're all as good as dead."
CSB
33 Now the Egyptians pressured the people in order to send them quickly out of the country, for they said, "We're all going to die!"

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 During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.
32 Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me.”
33 The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. “For otherwise,” they said, “we will all die!”
34 So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing.
35 The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S ver 11
  • 2. S Exodus 6:1; 1 Samuel 6:6; Psalms 105:38
  • 3. S Genesis 20:3; S Exodus 8:19
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