Exodus 12 23

Exodus 12:23 kjv

For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

Exodus 12:23 nkjv

For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.

Exodus 12:23 niv

When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

Exodus 12:23 esv

For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.

Exodus 12:23 nlt

For the LORD will pass through the land to strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the LORD will pass over your home. He will not permit his death angel to enter your house and strike you down.

Exodus 12 verses

Exodus 12 23 Meaning

Exodus 12:23 explains the divine mechanism of protection during the tenth plague. It states that as the LORD passes through Egypt to strike the firstborn, He will see the blood of the Passover lamb applied to the doorposts and lintel of Israelite homes. Upon seeing this designated mark, the LORD will "pass over" those houses, sparing their inhabitants from the Destroyer, His agent of judgment, preventing it from entering and bringing death. This act reveals God's meticulous discernment and covenantal protection for those who obeyed His command.

Exodus 12 23 Context

Exodus 12:23 is situated within the narrative of the final and most devastating plague against Egypt: the death of the firstborn. The verse details the protective measure that the Israelites, as well as any others in Egypt who believed and obeyed, had to implement. They were instructed to sacrifice a blemish-free lamb, apply its blood to the doorframes of their houses, and remain inside. This was not merely a ritual but a specific act of obedience in response to God’s direct command, establishing a clear distinction between the Egyptians, whose firstborn were condemned, and the Israelites, who were to be spared. This judgment targeted not only Pharaoh’s refusal to let Israel go but also challenged the entire Egyptian pantheon, particularly their reverence for firstborn children and certain animal deities. The slaying of the firstborn was a direct strike at the heart of Egyptian familial and national pride, demonstrating the supremacy of Yahweh over all false gods.

Exodus 12 23 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - ki): A conjunction introducing the reason or explanation for the preceding command to apply blood. It signifies causality.
• the LORD (יְהוָה - YHVH): Refers to the personal, covenantal God of Israel, Yahweh. It emphasizes that this is His direct action and unique sovereignty.
• will pass through (עָבַר - 'avar): Implies a movement of entry or traversing, often with the intent of action. Here, it denotes God’s movement through Egypt with an active purpose, which is to judge. This is distinct from "pass over" in its intent.
• to strike (לִנְגֹּף - lingoph): From the root נָגַף (nagaph), meaning "to smite," "strike down," or "deal a plague." It indicates a definitive act of divine judgment and destruction.
• the Egyptians (מִצְרַיִם - Mitzrayim): The inhabitants of Egypt, the direct targets of the plague as a consequence of their and Pharaoh's defiance against God.
• and when He sees (וְרָאָה - v'ra'ah): From רָאָה (ra'ah), "to see." Emphasizes God's active observation and discerning eye. His protection is not arbitrary but contingent upon a visible, obedient act (the blood). This highlights divine omniscience and precision in judgment.
• the blood (הַדָּם - haddam): The highly significant symbol and agent of atonement and protection. It represents life, sacrifice, and the means by which a life is offered in place of another. Its application on the doorway makes it visible evidence of obedience.
• on the lintel (הַמַּשְׁקוֹף - hammashqoph): The horizontal beam above the doorway.
• and on the two doorposts (וְעַל שְׁתֵּי הַמְּזוּזוֹת - v'al shteih hamm'zuzot): The vertical sides of the doorframe. The specificity of application ensured the entire entry was covered by the blood, marking the dwelling distinctly.
• the LORD (יְהוָה - YHVH): Reiteration of God’s name, confirming His personal and authoritative action in both judgment and protection.
• will pass over (פָּסַח - pasach): The verb from which the feast of Passover derives its name. It literally means "to step over," "to pass over," or "to spare." It signifies a bypassing of the house marked by blood, implying protection and exemption from judgment. This is a deliberate, sovereign act of exemption based on the visible blood.
• the door (הַפֶּתַח - happetach): The entrance to the house. The specific location through which the destroyer would enter.
• and will not allow (וְלֹא יִתֵּן - v'lo yitten): From נָתַן (natan), "to give," but here meaning "to permit" or "to allow." This is an active act of prevention, demonstrating God’s direct control over the Destroyer.
• the destroyer (הַמַּשְׁחִית - hammashchith): From שָׁחַת (shachath), "to corrupt," "to ruin," "to destroy." This term refers to the agent of death, often understood as a specific angelic being dispatched by God for this destructive task. It is not God Himself doing the destroying, but His appointed agent, whom He fully controls.
• to enter (לָבוֹא - lavo): To come inside.
• your houses (אֶל בָּתֵּיכֶם - el batteichem): Emphasizes the personal protection afforded to each Israelite family who obeyed.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians": This clause sets the stage for God's impending judgment. It underscores God's active engagement in both divine justice and distinction. His presence through Egypt is for judgment.
• "and when He sees the blood... the LORD will pass over": This juxtaposition is critical. God’s seeing the blood is the prerequisite for His "passing over" (sparing). It demonstrates that God's grace and protection are contingent upon the specified, obedient action of faith. It also highlights God's discerning eye that distinguishes between the marked and unmarked homes.
• "will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses": This part emphasizes God's sovereign control over even His agents of judgment. The "destroyer" is restrained by God's will where the blood is present, showcasing ultimate divine authority and protection. The implication is that without the blood, the destroyer would have free rein.
• Polemical Significance: This verse is a direct challenge to Egyptian cosmology. The Egyptian pharaoh was considered a divine son and protector, and the firstborn held a revered place in Egyptian society. This plague demonstrated the impotence of their gods and their pharaoh to protect their own, in stark contrast to Yahweh's power to both destroy and protect. The attack on the firstborn was also a direct affront to various Egyptian gods associated with fertility and new life, showing Yahweh's superiority.

Exodus 12 23 Bonus section

• The specific placement of the blood on the lintel and doorposts forms a continuous "U" shape around the doorway, visually encircling and demarcating the dwelling as protected. This complete coverage emphasized the thoroughness of the command and the complete protection it offered.
• While "the destroyer" (המַּשְׁחִית - hammashchith) could refer to the destructive aspect of God's presence, the consistent use of a separate noun suggests an agent, possibly an angel. This distinction reinforces that God orchestrates judgment but may employ instruments for its execution, yet retaining full control over them. This is further supported by the "angel of death" references in other scriptures and traditions.
• The imperative to remain inside the marked house ("none of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning" - Ex 12:22) highlights that the blood provided protection only to those under its covering. Stepping outside the designated refuge would have meant facing the destroyer and sharing in the fate of the Egyptians, emphasizing the need for sustained faith and obedience.

Exodus 12 23 Commentary

Exodus 12:23 presents a profound truth: divine protection in the face of judgment is secured by obedient faith marked by sacrificial blood. God, Yahweh, is actively moving to judge Egypt, but His gaze discriminates. He identifies those set apart by the applied blood of the lamb. This blood is the sign of a life offered in substitution, a covering that diverts the destructive agent. The passage underlines that salvation is not a passive event but requires active participation and faith as demonstrated through obedience to God’s specific command. It clearly delineates the scope of God’s judgment (against the disobedient Egyptians) and His specific, gracious, and powerful act of preservation for His people through a divinely appointed sign. This moment foreshadows the ultimate deliverance through Christ, whose shed blood covers those who believe, providing ultimate salvation from the Destroyer, which is the wrath of God against sin.