The Plague of the Firstborn is the tenth and final plague that God inflicted upon Egypt, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. This event is a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelites' liberation from Egyptian bondage and serves as a profound demonstration of God's power and judgment.

Biblical Account

The account of the Plague of the Firstborn is found in Exodus 11:1-12:36. God, through Moses, had already sent nine plagues upon Egypt, each increasing in severity, yet Pharaoh's heart remained hardened. The tenth plague was announced as the ultimate act of divine judgment against Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt.

In Exodus 11:4-6 , Moses conveys God's message to Pharaoh: "So Moses declared, 'This is what the LORD says: 'About midnight I will go throughout Egypt, 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 millstones, as well as every firstborn of the livestock. Then there will be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as never has been nor ever will be again.'"

The Passover

To protect the Israelites from the impending plague, God instituted the Passover. Each Israelite family was instructed to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and apply its blood to the doorposts and lintel of their homes. This act of faith and obedience would serve as a sign for the Lord to "pass over" their homes, sparing them from the plague. Exodus 12:13 states, "The blood on the houses where you are staying will distinguish them; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt."

The Execution of the Plague

At midnight, the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the captive in the dungeon, as well as the firstborn of all the livestock. The death of the firstborn was a direct affront to the Egyptian belief in the divine status of Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt, demonstrating the supremacy of the God of Israel.

Exodus 12:29-30 describes the event: "Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on the throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn of the livestock. During the night, Pharaoh got up, he and all his officials and all the Egyptians, and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was no house without someone dead."

Theological Significance

The Plague of the Firstborn is a profound demonstration of God's sovereignty and justice. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the consequences of defying God's commands. The event also highlights the concept of substitutionary atonement, as the blood of the Passover lamb spared the Israelites from death, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, for the sins of humanity.

Impact on the Exodus

The death of the firstborn finally compelled Pharaoh to release the Israelites. In Exodus 12:31-32 , Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron during the night and said, "Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds as you have said, and go. And bless me also."

The Plague of the Firstborn thus marks the culmination of God's deliverance of His people from slavery, setting the stage for the Exodus and the journey to the Promised Land.