Keraia
Exodus 11

Exodus 11:5

The Plague on the Firstborn Foretold · Exodus 11:1–10
Read Exodus 11

Translations

Modern
…and every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the servant girl behind the hand mill, as well as the firstborn of all the cattle.
Traditional
And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.
Literal
…and every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the maidservant who is behind the handmill, and every firstborn of a beast.
Latin
…et morietur omne primogenitum in terra Ægyptiorum, a primogenito Pharaonis, qui sedet in solio ejus, usque ad primogenitum ancillæ quæ est ad molam, et omnia primogenita jumentorum.

Original

Hebrew
English
…and every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the servant girl behind the hand mill, as well as the firstborn of all the cattle.

Notes

Exodus 11:5

In many parts of the world, people look to their children for survival. In many cultures, the firstborn son carries on the family line. If people have children, they may feel secure. They may believe that, even after they die, they will continue through their children.

When the Egyptian firstborn sons died, God showed that people cannot guarantee their own survival. Life is a gift. That gift is in the hand of the one Lord, the "I Am."

Exodus 11:1–9

The final plague was the death of the firstborn sons. The Egyptians worshiped life. They gave so much attention to preparations for life after death because they wanted to ensure that it would be at least as good as their lives in Egypt. Death itself is in God’s hand. There is no underworld god who can ultimately defeat the God of life. Both life and death belong to the Lord.

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Moses Pharaoh The Plagues

Events

People

Pharaoh: Egyptian Pharaoh during the Exodus

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of Firstborn Furniture History of Israel Mill Moses Plague Plagues upon Egypt Throne

Topics

Animals: Suffered the Plagues of Egypt Beasts: Often Cut off for the Sins of Men Firstborn of Egyptians Killed Mill used in Egypt Mills: Antiquity of Mills: Female Servants Usually Employed At Plague: Death of the Firstborn Throne of Pharaoh