who were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck down among them; for the LORD had executed judgment against their gods. who were burying all their firstbornThis phrase refers to the Egyptians who were mourning the loss of their firstborn sons. This event is the culmination of the ten plagues that God sent upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. The death of the firstborn was a direct and devastating blow to Egyptian families, affecting every household. This plague is recorded in Exodus 12:29-30, where it states that there was not a house without someone dead. The firstborn held a place of prominence in ancient cultures, often inheriting leadership and a double portion of the family estate, making this loss particularly significant. whom the LORD had struck down among them
This indicates that the deaths of the firstborn were an act of divine intervention. The LORD's direct involvement underscores His sovereignty and power over life and death. It also highlights the fulfillment of His promise to deliver His people from bondage. This act of judgment was not random but a deliberate response to Pharaoh's hardened heart and refusal to let the Israelites go, as seen in Exodus 11:4-7. The LORD's actions demonstrate His justice and the seriousness of opposing His will. for the LORD had executed judgment against their gods
This phrase reveals the spiritual dimension of the plagues, particularly the death of the firstborn. Each plague was a direct challenge to the pantheon of Egyptian deities, demonstrating the LORD's supremacy over them. The Egyptians worshiped many gods, including those associated with fertility, life, and protection. The death of the firstborn was a direct affront to these deities, showing their impotence in the face of the true God. This judgment against the gods of Egypt is echoed in Exodus 12:12, where God declares He will execute judgment on all the gods of Egypt. This act foreshadows the ultimate victory of God over all false gods and points to the future triumph of Christ, who disarms the spiritual powers and authorities, as described in Colossians 2:15. Persons / Places / Events 1. EgyptiansThe people of Egypt who were experiencing the aftermath of the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn. 2. FirstbornRefers to the firstborn sons of the Egyptians, who were struck down as part of God's judgment. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, who executed judgment against the Egyptians and their gods. 4. Judgment against the gods of EgyptThis event signifies God's power over the Egyptian deities, demonstrating His supremacy. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and PowerThe event underscores God's absolute authority over all creation, including false gods and idols. Believers are reminded to trust in God's supreme power in their lives. Judgment and DeliveranceThe judgment on Egypt's firstborn was also a means of deliverance for the Israelites. This dual aspect of judgment and salvation is a recurring theme in Scripture, pointing to the ultimate deliverance through Christ. False Gods and IdolatryThe judgment against the gods of Egypt serves as a warning against idolatry. Believers are called to examine their lives for anything that might take the place of God and to remove such idols. God's Faithfulness to His PromisesThe fulfillment of God's promise to deliver Israel from Egypt is a testament to His faithfulness. Christians can find assurance in God's promises, knowing He is faithful to fulfill them. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the judgment against the firstborn in Egypt demonstrate God's sovereignty over false gods and idols? 2. In what ways can we see God's deliverance in our own lives, similar to how He delivered the Israelites from Egypt? 3. What are some modern-day "gods" or idols that might compete for our attention and devotion, and how can we guard against them? 4. How does the theme of judgment and deliverance in Numbers 33:4 connect to the message of the Gospel? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. How can this encourage you in your current circumstances? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 12:12This verse provides the context for the judgment against the gods of Egypt, as God declares His intention to execute judgment on them during the Passover. Psalm 135:8-9This passage reflects on God's mighty acts in Egypt, including the striking down of the firstborn, as a demonstration of His power and justice. Colossians 2:15This New Testament verse speaks of Christ disarming the powers and authorities, which can be seen as a parallel to God's judgment over the gods of Egypt. People Aaron, Abel, Arad, Egyptians, Gad, Geber, Israelites, Moses, Perez, Tahath, Terah, ZephonPlaces 0, Abarim, Abel-shittim, Abronah, Almon-diblathaim, Alush, Arad, Baal-zephon, Bene-jaakan, Beth-jeshimoth, Canaan, Dibon-gad, Dophkah, Edom, Egypt, Elim, Etham, Ezion-geber, Hahiroth, Haradah, Hashmonah, Hazeroth, Hor-haggidgad, Iye-abarim, Iyim, Jericho, Jordan River, Jotbathah, Kadesh-barnea, Kehelathah, Kibroth-hattaavah, Libnah, Makheloth, Marah, Migdol, Mithkah, Moab, Moseroth, Mount Hor, Mount Shepher, Nebo, Negev, Oboth, Pi-hahiroth, Punon, Rameses, Red Sea, Rephidim, Rimmon-perez, Rissah, Rithmah, Sinai, Succoth, Tahath, Terah, Zalmonah, ZinTopics Bodies, Buried, Burying, Destruction, Egyptians, Executed, Firstborn, First-born, Gods, Judged, Judgment, Judgments, Placing, Smitten, Sons, StruckDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 33:4 5688 firstborn
9210 judgment, God's Numbers 33:3-48 7222 exodus, events of Library Some Miscellaneous Matters Belonging to the Country About Jericho.
Let us begin from the last encampings of Israel beyond Jordan. Numbers 33:49: "They encamped near Jordan from Beth-jeshimoth unto Abel-shittim."--"From Beth-jeshimoth to Abel-shittim were twelve miles." It is a most received opinion among the Jews, that the tents of the Israelites in the wilderness contained a square of twelve miles. So the Targum of Jonathan, upon Number 2:2; "The encamping of Israel was twelve miles in length, and twelve miles in breadth." And the Gemarists say, "It is forbidden …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and HebraicaArbel. Shezor. Tarnegola the Upper.
"Arbel a city of Galilee."--There is mention of it in Hosea 10:14. But there are authors which do very differently interpret that place, viz. the Chaldee paraphrast, R. Solomon, Kimchi: consult them. It was between Zippor and Tiberias. Hence Nittai the Arbelite, who was president with Josua Ben Perahiah. The valley of Arbel is mentioned by the Talmudists. So also "The Arbelite Bushel." "Near Zephath in Upper Galilee was a town named Shezor, whence was R. Simeon Shezori: there he was buried. There …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Christ the Water of Life.
"Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life" (John iv. 13, 14). "Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John vii. 37). "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank …
Frank G. Allen—Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's and Mr. Paul's Books against My Confession of Faith, and Differences in Judgment About Baptism no Bar to Communion.
WHEREIN THEIR SCRIPTURELESS NOTIONS ARE OVERTHROWN, AND MY PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES STILL MAINTAINED. 'Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?'--Psalm 58:1 SIR, I have received and considered your short reply to my differences in judgment about water baptism no bar to communion; and observe, that you touch not the argument at all: but rather labour what you can, and beyond what you ought, to throw odiums upon your brother for reproving you for your error, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 33:4 NIVNumbers 33:4 NLTNumbers 33:4 ESVNumbers 33:4 NASBNumbers 33:4 KJV
Numbers 33:4 Commentaries
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