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Exodus 4:23

21 And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:

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.

24 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.

25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.

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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

    And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.

    Read in context

  • Exodus 11:5

    And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 135:8

    Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 105:36

    He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

    Read in context

  • Exodus 5:1

    And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.

    Read in context

  • Exodus 7:16

    And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 78:51

    And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:

    Read in context