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Exodus 4:23

21 The LORD instructed Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put within your power. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.

22 Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son,

and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’”

24 Now at a lodging place along the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him.

25 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin, and touched it to Moses’ feet. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
and I told you to let My son go so that he may worship Me. But since you have refused to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son!’”
KJV
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.
WEB
and I have said to you, “Let my son go, that he may serve me;” and you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’”
ASV
and I have said unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me; and thou hast refused to let him go: behold, I will slay thy son, thy first-born.
DARBY
And I say to thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me. And if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill thy son, thy firstborn.
BLB
And I say to you, send out My son, that he may serve Me. And if you refuse to send him out, behold, I am killing your son, your firstborn.’”
ÅB
og jeg sa til deg: La min sønn fare, så han kan tjene meg, men du ville ikke la ham fare; derfor vil jeg nå slå ihjel din sønn, din førstefødte.
OTB
og jeg har sagt til deg: «La min sønn gå, så han kan tilbe meg.» Men du nektet å la ham gå; derfor vil jeg ta livet av din førstefødte sønn.’»
B1930
og jeg sa til dig: La min sønn fare, så han kan tjene mig, men du vilde ikke la ham fare; derfor vil jeg nu slå ihjel din sønn, din førstefødte.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Exodus 12:29

    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.

    Read in context

  • 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.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 135:8

    He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, of both man and beast.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 105:36

    Then He struck all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigor.

    Read in context

  • Exodus 5:1

    After that, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’”

    Read in context

  • Exodus 7:16

    Then say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to tell you: Let My people go, so that they may worship Me in the wilderness. But you have not listened until now.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 78:51

    He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham.

    Read in context