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Exodus 13:15

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And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 15

In this chapter we have, I. The commands God gave to Israel, 1. To sanctify all their firstborn to him (Exo 13:1, Exo 13:2). 2. To be sure to remember their deliverance out of Egypt (Exo 13:3, Exo 13:4), and, in remembrance of it, to keep the feast of unleavened bread (Exo 13:5-7). 3. To transmit the knowledge of it with all possible care to their children (Exo 13:8-10). 4. To set apart unto God the firstlings of their cattle (Exo 13:11-13), and to explain that also to their children (Exo 13:14-16). II. The care God took of Israel, when he had brought them out of Egypt. I. Choosing their way for them (Exo 13:17, Exo 13:18). 2. Guiding them in the way (Exo 13:20-22). And III. Their care of Joseph's bones (Exo 13:19).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 15

פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings קָשָׁה (qâshâh, H7185) — properly, to be dense, i.e. tough or severe (in various applications) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr, H1060) — firstborn; hence, chief אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) בְּהֵמָה (bᵉhêmâh, H929) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective) זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) פֶּטֶר (peṭer, H6363) — a fissure, i.e. (concretely) firstling (as opening the matrix) רֶחֶם (rechem, H7358) — the womb זָכָר (zâkâr, H2145) — properly, remembered, i.e. a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Exodus 12:29rank 7

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.

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