Exodus 12:29 - Divine justice strikes at midnight

The Timing of the Plague

The verse states that the plague occurred "בַּחֲצִי הַלַּיְלָה" (at midnight). Rashi (Shemot 12:29) explains that Hashem performed the plague precisely at midnight to demonstrate His exact control over time. This precision also prevented any confusion or doubt among the Egyptians, as they could not claim the deaths occurred naturally or at a different time. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 18:12) adds that midnight was chosen because it is a time when people are usually asleep, emphasizing that the plague was a direct divine intervention, not a coincidence.

The Scope of the Plague

The verse details the comprehensive nature of the plague, affecting "מִבְּכֹר פַּרְעֹה... עַד בְּכוֹר הַשְּׁבִי" (from Pharaoh’s firstborn to the captive’s firstborn). The Ramban (Shemot 12:29) notes that this demonstrates divine justice—no one was spared, regardless of social status. Even those imprisoned in dungeons, who might have been innocent of oppressing Bnei Yisrael, were included, teaching that the entire Egyptian society was complicit in the enslavement.

The Inclusion of Animals

The verse concludes by mentioning "וְכֹל בְּכוֹר בְּהֵמָה" (all the firstborn of cattle). The Talmud (Bava Kamma 60a) explains that this was a punishment measure-for-measure: since the Egyptians worshipped animals (such as the ram, which was associated with their deity Khnum), their deities were powerless to protect even their own firstborn. Additionally, the Ibn Ezra (Shemot 12:29) suggests that this reinforced the distinction between the Egyptians and Bnei Yisrael, whose animals were spared.

Divine Justice and Precision

• Measure-for-Measure: The Sforno (Shemot 12:29) explains that the plague targeted firstborns because Pharaoh had ordered the drowning of Jewish male infants (Shemot 1:22). The punishment corresponded directly to the crime.
• No Exceptions: The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar, Shemot 12:29) highlights that even Pharaoh’s firstborn, who might have been seen as protected by royal privilege, was struck—showing that no human power could resist divine judgment.
• Public Demonstration: The plague occurred in a way that left no doubt of Hashem’s involvement, as emphasized by the Mechilta (Bo 13), which states that even Egyptian magicians acknowledged this as an act of G-d.