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Exodus 12:30 - Pharaoh's midnight devastation

Exodus 12:30 - שמות 12:30

Hebrew Text

וַיָּקָם פַּרְעֹה לַיְלָה הוּא וְכָל־עֲבָדָיו וְכָל־מִצְרַיִם וַתְּהִי צְעָקָה גְדֹלָה בְּמִצְרָיִם כִּי־אֵין בַּיִת אֲשֶׁר אֵין־שָׁם מֵת׃

English Translation

And Par῾o rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all Miżrayim; and there was a great cry in Miżrayim; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

Transliteration

Va'yakam Par'o layla hu v'khol-avadav v'khol-Mitzrayim va'tehi tze'aka gdola b'Mitzrayim ki-ein bayit asher ein-sham met.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיָּ֨קׇם פַּרְעֹ֜ה לַ֗יְלָה ה֤וּא וְכׇל־עֲבָדָיו֙ וְכׇל־מִצְרַ֔יִם וַתְּהִ֛י צְעָקָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם כִּֽי־אֵ֣ין בַּ֔יִת אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵֽין־שָׁ֖ם מֵֽת׃
וַיָּ֨קׇם פַּרְעֹ֜ה לַ֗יְלָה ה֤וּא וְכׇל־עֲבָדָיו֙ וְכׇל־מִצְרַ֔יִם וַתְּהִ֛י צְעָקָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם כִּֽי־אֵ֣ין בַּ֔יִת אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵֽין־שָׁ֖ם מֵֽת׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Midnight Awakening of Pharaoh and Egypt

The verse describes Pharaoh rising at night along with his servants and all of Egypt due to the plague of the firstborn. Rashi (Shemot 12:30) explains that Pharaoh was awakened from his sleep by the cries of the Egyptians, as the plague struck precisely at midnight (based on Shemot 12:29). The term "ויקם" ("and he rose") implies urgency, showing that even the king was powerless against Hashem's decree.

The Universal Mourning in Egypt

The phrase "כי אין בית אשר אין שם מת" ("for there was not a house where there was not one dead") is interpreted in several ways:

  • Rashi notes that even Egyptian homes without firstborns still suffered deaths—either the firstborn of the maidservants (who were also considered part of the household) or the firstborn of the Egyptian overseers who lived among the Israelites.
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Bo 7) adds that even Egyptian prisoners and those who converted to avoid the plagues were not spared, demonstrating that no one could escape divine judgment.
  • Ibn Ezra suggests that the term "house" may refer to extended families or clans, meaning no Egyptian lineage was left untouched.

The Great Cry in Egypt

The "צעקה גדולה" ("great cry") reflects the overwhelming grief of the Egyptians. The Mechilta (Bo 12) emphasizes that this cry was unprecedented because:

  • Death struck simultaneously across all of Egypt.
  • Even those who had mocked the earlier plagues now recognized Hashem's power.

Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 6:4) derives from this episode that sometimes divine punishment serves to awaken others to repentance, though for the Egyptians, it was too late.

Pharaoh's Personal Humiliation

The phrasing "הוא וכל עבדיו" ("he and all his servants") highlights that Pharaoh, who claimed divinity (see Yechezkel 29:3), was reduced to the same helpless state as his subjects. Sforno notes that this demonstrated the futility of his arrogance before Hashem.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 116a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the Exodus from Egypt and the events of the night of the tenth plague, emphasizing the magnitude of the cry in Egypt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 12:30 mean?
A: Exodus 12:30 describes the final plague in Egypt—the death of the firstborn—which struck every Egyptian household. Pharaoh and all of Egypt woke up in the night to find their firstborn dead, leading to a great outcry. This was the climax of the Ten Plagues, demonstrating Hashem's power and fulfilling His promise to free the Israelites from slavery.
Q: Why was there 'not a house where there was not one dead' in Egypt?
A: This phrase emphasizes that the plague affected every Egyptian household, from Pharaoh's palace to the lowest servant (Rashi on Exodus 12:30). The Torah stresses that no one was spared—showing that Hashem's judgment was complete and that the Egyptians could no longer ignore His power.
Q: Why did Pharaoh 'rise up in the night' in Exodus 12:30?
A: Pharaoh rose in shock and grief upon discovering his firstborn dead (Midrash Shemot Rabbah 18:3). This moment marked his final surrender, leading him to urgently command the Israelites to leave Egypt. The night awakening symbolizes the sudden, undeniable reality of Hashem's judgment.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Exodus 12:30 today?
A: This verse teaches that Hashem's justice is absolute and that no one can escape divine judgment when it is decreed. It also reminds us of the importance of heeding warnings—Pharaoh had many chances to repent but hardened his heart until it was too late (Rambam, Hilchot Teshuvah 6:3).
Q: How does this verse connect to Passover?
A: Exodus 12:30 describes the immediate aftermath of the final plague, which directly led to the Israelites' liberation—the central event commemorated on Passover. The verse highlights the contrast between the Egyptians, who suffered the plague, and the Israelites, who were protected by the blood of the Korban Pesach (Passover offering) on their doorposts (Talmud Pesachim 96a).