Exodus 12:23 When the LORD passes through to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway; so He will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

◄ Exodus 12:23 ►

New International Version
When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

New Living Translation
For the LORD will pass through the land to strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the LORD will pass over your home. He will not permit his death angel to enter your house and strike you down.

English Standard Version
For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.

Berean Standard Bible
When the LORD passes through to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway; so He will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.

New American Standard Bible
For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; but when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you.

NASB 1995
“For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you.

NASB 1977
“For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Yahweh will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and He will see the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, and Yahweh will pass over the doorway and will not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to smite you.

Amplified Bible
For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel [above the entry way] and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to slay you.

Christian Standard Bible
When the LORD passes through to strike Egypt and sees the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, he will pass over the door and not let the destroyer enter your houses to strike you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the LORD passes through to strike Egypt and sees the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, He will pass over the door and not let the destroyer enter your houses to strike you.”

American Standard Version
For Jehovah will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side-posts, Jehovah will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

Contemporary English Version
During that night the LORD will go through the country of Egypt and kill the first-born son in every Egyptian family. He will see where you have put the blood, and he will not come into your house. His angel that brings death will pass over and not kill your first-born sons.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD will go throughout Egypt to kill the Egyptians. When he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, he will pass over that doorway, and he will not let the destroyer come into your home to kill you.

Good News Translation
When the LORD goes through Egypt to kill the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the beams and the doorposts and will not let the Angel of Death enter your houses and kill you.

International Standard Version
because the LORD will pass through to strike down the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the doorway, and won't allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you down.

Majority Standard Bible
When the LORD passes through to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway; so He will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

NET Bible
For the LORD will pass through to strike Egypt, and when he sees the blood on the top of the doorframe and the two side posts, then the LORD will pass over the door, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.

New Heart English Bible
For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 to your houses to smite you.

World English Bible
For Yahweh will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two door posts, Yahweh will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And YHWH has passed on to strike the Egyptians, and has seen the blood on the lintel, and on the two doorposts, and YHWH has passed over the opening, and does not permit the destruction to come into your houses to strike.

Young's Literal Translation
'And Jehovah hath passed on to smite the Egyptians, and hath seen the blood on the lintel, and on the two side-posts, and Jehovah hath passed over the opening, and doth not permit the destruction to come into your houses to smite.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah passed over to strike the Egyptians; and he saw the blood upon the lintel, and upon the two doorposts, and Jehovah passed by the door and will not give him destroying to come in to your houses to strike.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
For the Lord will pass through striking the Egyptians: and when he shall see the blood on the transom, and on both the posts, he will pass over the door of the house, and not suffer the destroyer to come into your houses and to hurt you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For the Lord will cross through, striking the Egyptians. And when he will see the blood on the upper threshold, and on both the door posts, he will pass over the door of the house and not permit the Striker to enter into your houses or to do harm.

New American Bible
For when the LORD goes by to strike down the Egyptians, seeing the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over that door and not let the destroyer come into your houses to strike you down.

New Revised Standard Version
For the LORD will pass through to strike down the Egyptians; when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over that door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you down.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood upon the lintel and on the two side posts, the LORD will bring joy to the doors and will not suffer the destroyer to come into your houses to smite you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH shall go through to strike the Egyptians and he shall see the blood that is upon the lintels and upon both door posts and LORD JEHOVAH shall pass over the door and shall not allow the Destroyer to enter your houses and destroy.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord shall pass by to smite the Egyptians, and shall see the blood upon the lintel, and upon both the door-posts; and the Lord shall pass by the door, and shall not suffer the destroyer to enter into your houses to smite you.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Feast of Unleavened Bread
…22Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin, and brush the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. 23When the LORD passes through to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway; so He will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. 24And you are to keep this command as a permanent statute for you and your descendants.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

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.

1 Corinthians 5:7
Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

Revelation 7:3
“Do not harm the land or sea or trees until we have placed a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”

Matthew 26:28
This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

1 Peter 1:19
but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

Romans 3:25
God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.

Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

Colossians 1:20
and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.

Revelation 12:11
They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.

Isaiah 31:5
Like birds hovering overhead, so the LORD of Hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will shield it and deliver it; He will pass over it and preserve it.”

Ezekiel 9:4-6
“Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.” / And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! / Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.

Psalm 78:49-51
He unleashed His fury against them, wrath, indignation, and calamity—a band of destroying angels. / He cleared a path for His anger; He did not spare them from death but delivered their lives to the plague. / He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham.

Psalm 105:36
Then He struck all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigor.

Numbers 9:12
they may not leave any of it until morning or break any of its bones. They must observe the Passover according to all its statutes.

Treasury of Scripture

For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you.

will pass through

Exodus 12:12,13
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…

and will not

2 Samuel 24:16
And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.

Isaiah 37:36
Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

Ezekiel 9:4,6
And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof…

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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

Berean Study Bible

For the LORD will pass through
The phrase "For the LORD will pass through" indicates a divine action of judgment. The Hebrew word for "pass through" is "עָבַר" (avar), which conveys the idea of moving across or over. This action is significant as it demonstrates God's active role in executing judgment upon Egypt. Historically, this event is a pivotal moment in the Exodus narrative, showcasing God's power and justice. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to intervene directly in human affairs.

to strike down the Egyptians
The phrase "to strike down the Egyptians" highlights the severity of God's judgment. The Hebrew root "נָכָה" (nakah) means to smite or strike, often with fatal consequences. This action is a direct response to Pharaoh's hardened heart and the oppression of the Israelites. It underscores the seriousness of sin and rebellion against God, as well as the lengths to which God will go to deliver His people.

and when He sees the blood
The phrase "and when He sees the blood" refers to the blood of the Passover lamb, which the Israelites were instructed to apply to their doorframes. The Hebrew word for "blood" is "דָּם" (dam), symbolizing life and sacrifice. This act of obedience and faith by the Israelites is a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, whose blood provides salvation and protection from spiritual death.

on the lintel and on the two doorposts
The "lintel and on the two doorposts" were the specific locations where the blood was to be applied. This detail emphasizes the importance of following God's instructions precisely. The lintel and doorposts form the entrance to the home, symbolizing the threshold of protection and safety. Archaeologically, this practice aligns with ancient Near Eastern customs of marking entrances for protection, further grounding the biblical narrative in its historical context.

the LORD will pass over the door
The phrase "the LORD will pass over the door" introduces the concept of "Passover," derived from the Hebrew word "פָּסַח" (pasach), meaning to pass over or spare. This divine action of passing over signifies God's mercy and grace, sparing the Israelites from the judgment that befell the Egyptians. It is a powerful reminder of God's covenant faithfulness and His provision of a means of escape from judgment.

and will not allow the destroyer
The phrase "and will not allow the destroyer" refers to the agent of God's judgment, often understood as an angel of death. The Hebrew word "מַשְׁחִית" (mashchit) means destroyer or one who brings ruin. This highlights God's control over all forces, both seen and unseen, and His ability to protect His people from harm. It serves as a reassurance of God's protective power over those who are faithful to Him.

to enter your houses and strike you down
The phrase "to enter your houses and strike you down" underscores the personal and communal nature of God's protection. The Hebrew word for "house" is "בַּיִת" (bayit), representing not just a physical structure but also the family and community within. This protection is conditional upon obedience to God's command, illustrating the importance of faith and trust in God's promises. It is a testament to God's desire to preserve and bless His people, even amidst judgment.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23) The destroyer.--The "plague" of Exodus 12:13 is here called "the destroyer" (??? ???????????, LXX.), as again in Hebrews 12:28. Jehovah seems to have employed an angel, or "angels" (Ps. 79:48) as His agents to effect the actual slaying of the firstborn. (Comp. 2Samuel 24:16; 1Chronicles 21:15; 2Kings 19:35.) There is no struggle or opposition (as Bishop Lowth and Redslob think) between Jehovah and" the destroyer," who is simply His minister (Hebrews 1:14), bidden to enter some houses and to "pass over" others. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 23. - Compare verses 12, 13 which are closely followed. The only important difference is, the new expression, "The Lord will not suffer the destroyer to come in," which has generally been regarded as implying, that the actual agent in the killing of the first-born was a "destroying angel." But it is to be noted that elsewhere Jehovah himself is everywhere spoken of as the sole agent; and that in the present passage the word used has the meaning of "destruction" no less than that of "destroyer." Bishop Lowth's idea of an opposition between God and the destroying angel (Comment on Isaiah 31:5) is scarcely tenable.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

When the LORD
יְהוָה֮ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

passes through
וְעָבַ֣ר (wə·‘ā·ḇar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

to strike down
לִנְגֹּ֣ף (lin·gōp̄)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5062: To push, gore, defeat, stub, inflict

the Egyptians,
מִצְרַיִם֒ (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4713: Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt

He will see
וְרָאָ֤ה (wə·rā·’āh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

the blood
הַדָּם֙ (had·dām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the top
הַמַּשְׁק֔וֹף (ham·maš·qō·wp̄)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4947: Probably lintel (of a door)

and the two
שְׁתֵּ֣י (šə·tê)
Number - fdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

sideposts
הַמְּזוּזֹ֑ת (ham·mə·zū·zōṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4201: A doorpost, gatepost

and pass
וּפָסַ֤ח (ū·p̄ā·saḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6452: To hop, skip over, to hesitate, to limp, to dance

over
וְעַ֖ל (wə·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the door;
הַפֶּ֔תַח (hap·pe·ṯaḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way

so He will not
וְלֹ֤א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

allow
יִתֵּן֙ (yit·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the destroyer
הַמַּשְׁחִ֔ית (ham·maš·ḥîṯ)
Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7843: Perhaps to go to ruin

to enter
לָבֹ֥א (lā·ḇō)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

your houses
בָּתֵּיכֶ֖ם (bāt·tê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1004: A house

and strike you down.
לִנְגֹּֽף׃ (lin·gōp̄)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5062: To push, gore, defeat, stub, inflict

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OT Law: Exodus 12:23 For Yahweh will pass through to strike (Exo. Ex)