Exodus 12:29

The Tenth Plague: Death of the Firstborn

29 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.

Exodus 12:29 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 12:29

And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the
firstborn in the land of Egypt
The midnight of the fifteenth of Nisan, as the Targum of Jonathan, when fast asleep, and thoughtless of any danger; and it being at such a time must strike with a greater horror and terror, when sensible of the blow, which might be attended with a great noise, that might awaken the rest: from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne;
the heir to his crown, who was to have sat upon his throne, or already did, being taken a partner with him in it: unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon;
or prison, that was grinding at the mill there, ( Exodus 11:5 ) which was the work and business the prisoners were often put to, as appears from the case of Samson, ( Judges 16:21 ) , and all the firstborn of cattle;
which were left of the other plagues, which had consumed great numbers of them.

Exodus 12:29 In-Context

27 you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.

28 And the Israelites went and did just what the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron.

29 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.

30 During 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.

31 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.