Exodus 12:29

29 At midnight ADONAI killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh sitting on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of 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 say, 'It is the sacrifice of ADONAI's Pesach [Passover], because [ADONAI] passed over the houses of the people of Isra'el in Egypt, when he killed the Egyptians but spared our houses.'"The people of Isra'el bowed their heads and worshipped.

28 Then the people of Isra'el went and did as ADONAI had ordered Moshe and Aharon - that is what they did.

29 At midnight ADONAI killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh sitting on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock.

30 Pharaoh got up in the night, he, all his servants and all the Egyptians; and there was horrendous wailing in Egypt; for there wasn't a single house without someone dead in it.

31 He summoned Moshe and Aharon by night and said, "Up and leave my people, both you and the people of Isra'el; and go, serve ADONAI as you said.