Exodus 11:5 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.

◄ Exodus 11:5 ►

New International Version
Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well.

New Living Translation
All the firstborn sons will die in every family in Egypt, from the oldest son of Pharaoh, who sits on his throne, to the oldest son of his lowliest servant girl who grinds the flour. Even the firstborn of all the livestock will die.

English Standard Version
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 slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals.

New American Standard Bible
and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the millstones; all the firstborn of the cattle as well.

NASB 1995
and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the millstones; all the firstborn of the cattle as well.

NASB 1977
and all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the first-born of the slave girl who is behind the millstones; all the first-born of the cattle as well.

Legacy Standard Bible
and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the servant-girl who is behind the millstones; and all the firstborn of the cattle.

Amplified Bible
and all the firstborn in the land [the pride, hope, and joy] of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the hand-mill, and all the firstborn of cattle as well.

Christian Standard Bible
and every firstborn male in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the servant girl who is at the grindstones, as well as every firstborn of the livestock.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and every firstborn male in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the servant girl who is behind the millstones, as well as every firstborn of the livestock.

American Standard Version
and all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the first-born of the maid-servant that is behind the mill; and all the first-born of cattle.

Contemporary English Version
and wherever he goes, the first-born son in every family will die. Your own son will die, and so will the son of the lowest slave woman. Even the first-born males of your cattle will die.

English Revised Version
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 cattle.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who rules the land, to the firstborn children of female slaves who use their handmills, including every firstborn domestic animal.

Good News Translation
and every first-born son in Egypt will die, from the king's son, who is heir to the throne, to the son of the slave woman who grinds grain. The first-born of all the cattle will die also.

International Standard Version
and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the slave girl who operates the hand mill, along with the firstborn of the animals.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn son of the slave girl who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle.

New Heart English Bible
and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of livestock.

Webster's Bible Translation
And all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even to the first-born of the maid-servant that is behind the mill; and all the first-born of beasts.

World English Bible
and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the mill, and all the firstborn of livestock.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and every firstborn in the land of Egypt has died, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who is sitting on his throne, to the firstborn of the maidservant who [is] behind the millstones, and all the firstborn of beasts;

Young's Literal Translation
and every first-born in the land of Egypt hath died, from the first-born of Pharaoh who is sitting on his throne, unto the first-born of the maid-servant who is behind the millstones, and all the first-born of beasts;

Smith's Literal Translation
And every first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh sitting upon his throne, even to the first-born of the maid which is behind the two mill-stones; and every first-born of quadruped.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And every firstborn in the land of the Egyptians shall die, from the firstborn of Pharao who sitteth on his throne, even to the first born of the handmaid that is at the mill, and all the firstborn of beasts.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And every firstborn in the land of the Egyptians shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the handmaid, who is at the millstone, and all the firstborn of the beasts of burden.

New American Bible
Every firstborn in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the slave-girl who is at the handmill, as well as all the firstborn of the animals.

New Revised Standard Version
Every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the female slave who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the livestock.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh who sits on his throne even to the first-born of the maidservant who sits behind the mill; and all the first-born of the animals.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all of the firstborn of the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne even unto the firstborn of an handmaiden that is in the house of the millstone and all the firstborn of oxen.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
and all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the first-born of the maid-servant that is behind the mill; and all the first-born of cattle.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And every first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharao that sits on the throne, even to the first-born of the woman-servant that is by the mill, and to the first-born of all cattle.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Plague on the Firstborn Foretold
…4So Moses declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt, 5and 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. 6Then a great cry will go out over all the land of Egypt. Such an outcry has never been heard before and will never be heard again.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Exodus 12:29-30
Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. / During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead.

Genesis 12:12
and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live.

Genesis 41:51-52
Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” / And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Psalm 78:51
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.

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.

Numbers 3:13
for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They are Mine; I am the LORD.”

Numbers 8:17
For every firstborn male in Israel is Mine, both man and beast. I set them apart for Myself on the day I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 15:19
You must set apart to the LORD your God every firstborn male produced by your herds and flocks. You are not to put the firstborn of your oxen to work, nor are you to shear the firstborn of your flock.

1 Samuel 2:6
The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up.

2 Samuel 24:15
So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died.

Isaiah 14:30
Then the firstborn of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety, but I will kill your root by famine, and your remnant will be slain.

Jeremiah 31:9
They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.”

Hosea 11:1
When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.

Matthew 2:15
where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Treasury of Scripture

And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

the firstborn

Exodus 4:23
And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.

Exodus 12:12,29
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…

Exodus 13:15
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.

behind

Judges 16:21
But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.

Isaiah 47:2
Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.

Lamentations 5:13
They took the young men to grind, and the children fell under the wood.

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Beasts Births Born Cattle Crushing Death Die Egypt Female First Firstborn First-Born Girl Grain Livestock Maidservant Maid-Servant Mill Millstones Pharaoh Power Seat Servant Servant-Girl Sits Sitteth Slave Throne

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Exodus 11

1. God's message to the Israelites to borrow jewels of their neighbors
4. Moses threatens Pharaoh with the death the firstborn

Berean Study Bible

And every firstborn son
This phrase refers to the first male offspring in every Egyptian family, a position of great significance in ancient cultures. The Hebrew word for "firstborn" is "bekor," which denotes primacy and special status. In the context of ancient Egypt, the firstborn son was often seen as the heir and the one who would carry on the family lineage. This judgment against the firstborn was a direct challenge to the Egyptian belief system, which held the firstborn in high regard, and it demonstrated the sovereignty of the God of Israel over the gods of Egypt.

in the land of Egypt
This phrase situates the event geographically, emphasizing that the judgment was specific to Egypt, the land of the Israelites' oppression. Egypt, known as "Mitzrayim" in Hebrew, was a powerful and influential civilization. The plagues, culminating in this final one, were a direct confrontation with the Egyptian pantheon and Pharaoh's perceived divinity. The land of Egypt, with its rich history and culture, was being shown the power of the one true God, Yahweh, who was not limited by geography or political power.

will die
The Hebrew word used here is "muwth," which means to die or perish. This was not merely a natural death but a divine act of judgment. The certainty of this pronouncement underscores the seriousness of God's warning and the inevitability of His will. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of hardening one's heart against God, as Pharaoh had repeatedly done.

from the firstborn of Pharaoh
Pharaoh, considered a god-king, was the highest authority in Egypt. The mention of his firstborn highlights the extent of the plague's reach, affecting even the most powerful. This was a direct affront to Pharaoh's supposed divinity and a demonstration that no one, not even the ruler of the most powerful nation, was beyond the reach of God's judgment.

who sits on his throne
This phrase emphasizes the position of power and authority held by Pharaoh. The throne symbolizes sovereignty and control, yet even this seat of power could not protect Pharaoh's household from God's decree. It serves as a powerful reminder that earthly power is ultimately subject to divine authority.

to the firstborn of the maidservant
The inclusion of the maidservant's firstborn illustrates the universality of the judgment. It affected all social strata, from the highest to the lowest. This demonstrates that God's justice is impartial and that all are accountable to Him, regardless of their social or economic status.

behind the millstones
This phrase refers to the lowest level of servitude, where women would grind grain. It highlights the comprehensive nature of the plague, reaching even those who were often overlooked or marginalized in society. The millstone, a symbol of daily toil and sustenance, becomes a backdrop for divine intervention, showing that God's reach extends to every corner of life.

every firstborn of the livestock
The inclusion of livestock underscores the totality of the plague's impact. Livestock were vital to the Egyptian economy and daily life, providing food, labor, and wealth. The loss of the firstborn among the animals further crippled Egypt, demonstrating that God's power extended over all creation, not just humanity. This act served as a stark reminder of the Creator's dominion over all living things.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) All the firstborn . . . shall die.--The Heb. word translated firstborn is applied only to males; and thus the announcement was that in every family the eldest son should be cut off. In Egypt, as in most other countries, the law of primogeniture prevailed--the eldest son was the hope, stay, and support of the household, his father's companion, his mother's joy, the object of his brothers' and sisters' reverence. The firstborn of the Pharaoh bore the title of erpa suten sa, or "hereditary crown prince," and succeeded his father, unless he died or was formally set aside during his father's lifetime. Among the nobles, estates were inherited, and sometimes titles descended to the firstborn. No greater affliction can be conceived, short of the general destruction of the people, than the sudden death in every family of him round whom the highest interests and fondest hopes clustered.

The maidservant that is behind the mill marks the lowest grade in the social scale, as the king that sits upon his throne marks the highest. All alike were to suffer. In every family there was to be one dead (Exodus 12:30).

All the firstborn of beasts.--The aggravation of the calamity by its extension to beasts is very remarkable, and is probably to be connected with the Egyptian animal-worship. At all times there were in Egypt four animals regarded as actual incarnations of deity, and the objects of profound veneration. Three of these were bulls, while one was a white cow. It is not unlikely that all were required to be "firstborns;" in which case the whole of Egypt would have been plunged into a religious mourning on account of their deaths, in addition to the domestic mourning that must have prevailed in each house. The deaths of other sacred animals, and of many pet animals in houses, would have increased the general consternation.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 5. - All the first-born. The law of primogeniture prevailed in Egypt, as among most of the nations of antiquity. The monarchy (under the New Empire, at any rate) was hereditary, and the eldest son was known as erpa suten sa, or "hereditary Crown Prince." Estates descended to the eldest son, and in many cases high dignities also. No severer blow could have been sent on the nation, if it were not to be annihilated, than the less in each house of the hope of the family - the parents' stay, the other children's guardian and protector. Who sitteth. "Sitteth" refers to "Pharaoh," not to "first-born." The meaning is, "from the first-born of the king who occupies the throne to the first-born of the humblest slave or servant. This last is represented by the handmaid who is behind the mill; since grinding at a mill was regarded as one of the severest and most irksome forms of labour. The work was commonly assigned to captives (Isaiah 47:1, 2; Judges 16:21). It was done by either one or two persons sitting, and consisted in rotating rapidly the upper millstone upon the lower by means of a handle. All the first-born of beasts. Not the first-born of cattle only, but of all beasts. The Egyptians had pet animals in most houses, dogs, apes, monkeys, perhaps cats and ichneumons. Most temples had sacred animals, and in most districts of Egypt, some beasts were regarded as sacred, and might not be killed, their death being viewed as a calamity. The loss of so many animals would consequently be felt by the Egyptians as a sensible aggravation of the infliction. It would wound them both in their domestic and in their religious sensibilities.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

and every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

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

in the land
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

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

will die,
וּמֵ֣ת (ū·mêṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

from the firstborn
מִבְּכ֤וֹר (mib·bə·ḵō·wr)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief

of Pharaoh
פַּרְעֹה֙ (par·‘ōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

who sits
הַיֹּשֵׁ֣ב (hay·yō·šêḇ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

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

his throne,
כִּסְא֔וֹ (kis·’ōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3678: Seat of honor, throne

to
עַ֚ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the firstborn
בְּכ֣וֹר (bə·ḵō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief

of the servant girl
הַשִּׁפְחָ֔ה (haš·šip̄·ḥāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8198: Maid, maidservant

behind
אַחַ֣ר (’a·ḥar)
Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

the hand mill,
הָרֵחָ֑יִם (hā·rê·ḥā·yim)
Article | Noun - md
Strong's 7347: A mill-stone

as well as the firstborn
בְּכ֥וֹר (bə·ḵō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1060: Firstborn, chief

of all
וְכֹ֖ל (wə·ḵōl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the cattle.
בְּהֵמָֽה׃ (bə·hê·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal

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OT Law: Exodus 11:5 And all the firstborn in the land (Exo. Ex)