Exodus 11:5

Arabic 2018 (الترجمة الكاثوليكيّة (اليسوعيّة))

فيَموتُ كُلُّ بِكْرٍ في أَرضِ مِصْر، مِن بِكْرِ فِرعَونَ الجالِسِ على عَرشِه إِلى بِكْرِ الخادِمَةِ الَّتي وَراءَ الرَّحى وجَميعُ أَبكارِ البَهائِم.

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Exodus 11:5 states that all firstborn in Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the lowest servants and all firstborn animals. It is part of God's warning to Pharaoh through Moses, emphasizing the severity of the impending judgment. The key message is that no one is exempt from God's judgment.

Explained for Children

Imagine a game where everyone has a special toy, and suddenly all the toys are taken away at the same time, no matter who owns them. That’s what this verse is talking about, but much more serious because it’s about people, not just toys.

Historical Background

The Book of Exodus was written by Moses around 1440 BC. It was written for the Israelites who were experiencing the harsh realities of slavery in Egypt. This verse comes after several plagues that God sent to convince Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

Living It Out Today

Today, this verse can remind us of the importance of heeding warnings and recognizing the consequences of our actions. For example, a community ignoring repeated warnings about a potential natural disaster and suffering severe losses can be seen as a parallel.

Topics

• judgment
• deliverance
• warning
• consequences
• firstborn
• plagues

Related Verses

• Exodus 12:29
• Psalm 78:51
• Isaiah 43:3
• Matthew 2:16
• 1 Corinthians 10:11

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is responsible for the death of the firstborn in Egypt?

According to the Bible, it was God who was responsible for the death of the firstborn, as a judgment on Pharaoh and the Egyptians for refusing to let the Israelites go.

How does this verse relate to the Passover?

This verse is a part of the account leading up to the Passover, where the Israelites were spared from this judgment by marking their doorposts with the blood of a lamb.

What can we learn from the severity of this judgment?

The severity of the judgment teaches us about the seriousness of God's commands and the consequences of disobedience. It also underscores the importance of taking warnings seriously.

Are there modern parallels to the warning in this verse?

Yes, modern parallels can be seen in how communities respond to warnings about natural disasters, health pandemics, or environmental issues, where ignoring warnings can lead to severe consequences.