Exodus 12:12
New International Version
“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.

New Living Translation
On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the LORD!

English Standard Version
For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn male, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.

King James Bible
For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.

New King James Version
‘For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and fatally strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the human firstborn to animals; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the LORD.

NASB 1995
‘For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments— I am the LORD.

NASB 1977
‘For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
And I will go through the land of Egypt on that night and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
For I [the LORD] will pass through the land of Egypt on this night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal; against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments [exhibiting their worthlessness]. I am the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
“I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night and strike every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, both people and animals. I am the LORD; I will execute judgments against all the gods of Egypt.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night and strike every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, both man and beast. I am Yahweh; I will execute judgments against all the gods of Egypt.

American Standard Version
For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
That same night I will pass through Egypt and kill the first-born son in every family and the first-born male of all animals. I am the LORD, and I will punish the gods of Egypt.

English Revised Version
For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"On that same night I will go throughout Egypt and kill every firstborn male, both human and animal. I will severely punish all the gods of Egypt, [because] I am the LORD.

Good News Translation
"On that night I will go through the land of Egypt, killing every first-born male, both human and animal, and punishing all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.

International Standard Version
I'll pass through the land of Egypt that night and strike every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both people and animals. I'll execute judgments on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn male, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.

NET Bible
I will pass through the land of Egypt in the same night, and I will attack all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of humans and of animals, and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment. I am the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal. Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast: and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.

World English Bible
For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal. I will execute judgments against all the gods of Egypt. I am Yahweh.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and I have passed over through the land of Egypt during this night, and have struck every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from man even to beast, and I do judgments on all the gods of Egypt; I [am] YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
and I have passed over through the land of Egypt during this night, and have smitten every first-born in the land of Egypt, from man even unto beast, and on all the gods of Egypt I do judgments; I am Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I passed over in the land of Egypt in this night, and I struck every first-born in the land of Egypt from man even to quadruped: and against all the gods of Egypt I will do judgments: I Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and will kill every firstborn in the land of Egypt both man and beast: and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I will cross through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from man, even to cattle. And I will bring judgments against all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord.

New American Bible
For on this same night I will go through Egypt, striking down every firstborn in the land, human being and beast alike, and executing judgment on all the gods of Egypt—I, the LORD!

New Revised Standard Version
For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and all the first-born of the land of Egypt shall die, both man and beast; and against all the idols of Egypt I will execute judgment; I am the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I shall pass through in the land of Egypt in this night and all the firstborn of the land of Egypt will die, from the sons of men and unto beast, and among all the worshiped creatures of the Egyptians I shall do judgment. I AM LORD JEHOVAH.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and I will go throughout the land of Egypt in that night, and will smite every first-born in the land of Egypt both man and beast, and on all the gods of Egypt will I execute vengeance: I am the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The First Passover
11This is how you are to eat it: You must be fully dressed for travel, with your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. You are to eat in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover. 12On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn male, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. 13The blood on the houses where you are staying will distinguish them; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.…

Cross References
Leviticus 18:25
Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants.

Numbers 33:4
who were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck down among them; for the LORD had executed judgment against their gods.

Isaiah 19:1
This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them.

Jeremiah 46:25
The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I am about to punish Amon god of Thebes, along with Pharaoh, Egypt with her gods and kings, and those who trust in Pharaoh.

Ezekiel 30:13
This is what the Lord GOD says: I will destroy the idols and put an end to the images in Memphis. There will no longer be a prince in Egypt, and I will instill fear in that land.

Psalm 82:1
A Psalm of Asaph. God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods:

Zephaniah 2:11
The LORD will be terrifying to them when He starves all the gods of the earth. Then the nations of every shore will bow in worship to Him, each in its own place.

1 Samuel 5:3-4
When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. / But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD, with his head and his hands broken off and lying on the threshold. Only the torso remained.

2 Chronicles 14:12
So the LORD struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah, and the Cushites fled.

Deuteronomy 32:39
See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand.

John 12:31
Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out.

Colossians 2:15
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Hebrews 11:28
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.

Revelation 11:8
Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city—figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where their Lord was also crucified.

1 Corinthians 10:20
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.


Treasury of Scripture

For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.

pass

Exodus 12:23
For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

Exodus 11:4,5
And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: …

Amos 5:17
And in all vineyards shall be wailing: for I will pass through thee, saith the LORD.

will smite

Exodus 12:29,30
And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle…

Exodus 11:4-6
And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: …

against

Numbers 33:4
For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments.

1 Samuel 5:3
And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.

1 Samuel 6:5
Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.

gods.

Exodus 21:6
Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.

Exodus 22:28
Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

Psalm 82:1,6
A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods…

I am the Lord

Exodus 6:2
And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:

Isaiah 43:11-15
I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour…

Ezekiel 12:16
But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Jump to Previous
Animal Beast Egypt Execute Firstborn First-Born Gods Judgment Judgments Night Smite Strike
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Animal Beast Egypt Execute Firstborn First-Born Gods Judgment Judgments Night Smite Strike
Exodus 12
1. The beginning of the year is changed
3. The Passover is instituted
11. The import of the rite of the Passover
15. Unleavened bread
29. The firstborn are slain
31. The Israelites are driven out of the land
37. They come to Succoth
41. The time of their sojourning
43. The ordinance of the Passover














On that night
This phrase sets a specific and significant time for the divine action. The Hebrew word for "night" is "לַיְלָה" (laylah), which often symbolizes a time of judgment or divine intervention in the Bible. This night marks the culmination of the plagues and the decisive moment of deliverance for the Israelites. It is a reminder of God's perfect timing and His sovereignty over the events of history.

I will pass through
The Hebrew verb "עָבַר" (avar) means to pass over or through. This action signifies God's direct involvement in the events of that night. Unlike the previous plagues, where God used natural phenomena, here He personally intervenes. This underscores the seriousness of the judgment and the personal nature of God's deliverance for His people.

the land of Egypt
Egypt, in Hebrew "מִצְרַיִם" (Mitzrayim), represents a place of bondage and oppression for the Israelites. Historically, Egypt was a powerful and influential civilization, known for its wealth, culture, and idolatry. God's actions in Egypt demonstrate His power over even the mightiest of nations and His ability to liberate His people from any form of bondage.

and strike down every firstborn
The phrase "strike down" comes from the Hebrew "נָכָה" (nakah), meaning to smite or kill. The firstborn, "בְּכוֹר" (bekhor), held a place of prominence and inheritance in ancient cultures. This judgment was a direct attack on the future and strength of Egypt, symbolizing the complete overthrow of their societal structure and a reversal of their oppression of Israel.

both man and beast
This inclusion of both humans and animals in the judgment highlights the totality of God's action. It reflects the interconnectedness of creation and the comprehensive nature of divine justice. The loss of livestock would have also been an economic blow to Egypt, further demonstrating God's power over their resources and livelihood.

and I will execute judgment
The Hebrew word for "execute judgment" is "שָׁפַט" (shafat), which means to judge or govern. This phrase indicates a legal and moral decision by God against Egypt. It is not arbitrary but a righteous response to Egypt's sins, particularly their idolatry and oppression of God's people. It serves as a reminder of God's role as the ultimate judge of all nations.

against all the gods of Egypt
The "gods of Egypt" refers to the pantheon of deities worshiped by the Egyptians. Each plague targeted specific Egyptian gods, demonstrating their impotence before the one true God. This final act of judgment is a declaration of God's supremacy over all false gods and a call to exclusive worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

I am the LORD
This declaration, "אֲנִי יְהוָה" (Ani Yahweh), is a powerful affirmation of God's identity and authority. "LORD" in all capitals represents the divine name YHWH, the covenant name of God. It is a reminder of His eternal nature, faithfulness, and the personal relationship He has with His people. This statement reassures the Israelites of God's presence and His commitment to fulfill His promises.

(12) For I will pass through.--Rather, go through, since the word used is entirely unconnected with pesahh.

Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment.--The translation "gods" is far preferable to that of "princes," given in the margin. The death of all the firstborn beasts would have been felt by the Egyptians as a heavy judgment upon their gods. Some of their sacred animals were regarded as actual incarnations of deity; and if any of these perished, as is likely, the threat would have been executed to the letter. But even apart from this, as cows, sheep, goats, cats, dogs, jackals, crocodiles, hippopotami, apes, ibises, frogs, &c, were sacred, either throughout Egypt or in parts of it, a general destruction of all firstborn animals would have been felt as a blow dealt to the gods almost equally.

I am the Lord.--Heb. I, Jehovah. The construction is, "I, Jehovah, will execute judgment."

Verse 12. - For I will pass through, etc. God now proceeds to give the reason for the institution of the new ceremony, and to explain the new term pesach. "I have commanded this rite," He says, "because I am about to go through the whole land of Egypt as a destroyer, executing judgment; I am about to smite and kill every one of the firstborn both of man and beast. I shall enter into every house, and slay the first-born in it, unless I see upon the house the token of the blood of the lamb. In that ease I shall pass over the house, and you will escape the plague." It would clear the sense if the opening words of verse 12 were translated - "For I shall go through," instead of "pass through." The word translated "pass through" has no connection at all with that rendered "pass over." Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment. These words are exegetical of the word "beast," which immediately precedes. Animal worship was an important part of the religion of the Egyptians. At four great cities, Memphis, Heliopolis, Hermonthis, a sort of suburb of Thebes, and Momemphis in the Western Delta, animals were maintained, which were viewed as actual incarnations of deity - the Apis Bull at Memphis, a bull called Mnevis at Heliopolis, one termed Bacis or Pacts at Hermonthis, and at Momemphis a White Cow. If any of these were at the time animals that had "opened the womb," death must have fallen upon them. Thus would judgment have been executed, literally, upon Egyptian "gods." But, besides these, the whole country was filled with sacred animals, regarded as emblematic of certain particular deities, and as belonging to them. Sheep were sacred to Kneph, goats to Khem, cows to Athor, cats to Pasht, dogs and jackals to Anubis, lions to Horus, crocodiles to Set and Sabak, hippopotami to Taouris, cynocephalous apes to Thoth, frogs to Heka. A sudden mortality among the sacred animals would be felt by the Egyptians as a blow struck against the gods to whom they belonged, and as a judgment upon them. It is scarcely necessary to understand literally the expression "all the gods," and to defend it by the assertion that "not a single deity of Egypt but was represented by some beast." Such an assertion cannot be proved; and is probably not correct. It has often been remarked, and is generally allowed, that Scripture uses universal expressions, where most, or even many, of a class are meant. I am the Lord. Rather as in Exodus 6:8, "Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment, I, Jehovah."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
On that
הַזֶּה֒ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

night
בַּלַּ֣יְלָה (bal·lay·lāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

I will pass
וְעָבַרְתִּ֣י (wə·‘ā·ḇar·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

through the land
בְאֶֽרֶץ־ (ḇə·’e·reṣ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Egypt
מִצְרַיִם֮ (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

and strike down
וְהִכֵּיתִ֤י (wə·hik·kê·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

every
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

firstborn male,
בְּכוֹר֙ (bə·ḵō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief

both man
מֵאָדָ֖ם (mê·’ā·ḏām)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

and
וְעַד־ (wə·‘aḏ-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

beast,
בְּהֵמָ֑ה (bə·hê·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal

and I will execute
אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥ה (’e·‘ĕ·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

judgment
שְׁפָטִ֖ים (šə·p̄ā·ṭîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8201: A sentence, infliction

against all
וּבְכָל־ (ū·ḇə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the gods
אֱלֹהֵ֥י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Egypt.
מִצְרַ֛יִם (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

I
אֲנִ֥י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Law: Exodus 12:12 For I will go through the land (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 12:11
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