King James Version

What Does Exodus 12:23 Mean?

Exodus 12:23 in the King James Version says “For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side ...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

21

Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. lamb: or, kid

22

And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.

23

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.

24

And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.

25

And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.

Read Exodus 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The 'LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians' uses the same verb ('avar, עָבַר—to pass through/over) with different outcomes. Seeing the blood, 'the LORD will pass over' (pasach) means to skip or spare. The 'destroyer' (hamashchit, הַמַּשְׁחִית) is God's agent of judgment, possibly an angel of death. The blood's protective power demonstrates substitutionary atonement—judgment satisfied, wrath averted.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This night of terror for Egypt became Israel's night of salvation. The visible distinction between blood-marked and unmarked homes demonstrated faith versus unbelief.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's blood similarly cause God's wrath to 'pass over' believers while falling on the unbelieving?
  2. What does the destroyer's inability to enter blood-marked homes teach about Satan's powerlessness over those in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְעָבַ֣ר1 of 24

“will pass through”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

יְהוָה֙2 of 24

“For the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לִנְגֹּֽף׃3 of 24

“to smite”

H5062

to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)

אֶת4 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִצְרַיִם֒5 of 24

“the Egyptians”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְרָאָ֤ה6 of 24

“and when he seeth”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת7 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַדָּם֙8 of 24

“the blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

עַל9 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַמַּשְׁק֔וֹף10 of 24

“upon the lintel”

H4947

a lintel

וְעַ֖ל11 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שְׁתֵּ֣י12 of 24

“and on the two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

הַמְּזוּזֹ֑ת13 of 24

“side posts”

H4201

a door-post (as prominent)

וּפָסַ֤ח14 of 24

“will pass over”

H6452

to hop, i.e., (figuratively) skip over (or spare); by implication, to hesitate; also (literally) to limp, to dance

יְהוָה֙15 of 24

“For the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עַל16 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַפֶּ֔תַח17 of 24

“the door”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

וְלֹ֤א18 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִתֵּן֙19 of 24

“and will not suffer”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

הַמַּשְׁחִ֔ית20 of 24

“the destroyer”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

לָבֹ֥א21 of 24

“to come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל22 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בָּֽתֵּיכֶ֖ם23 of 24

“in unto your houses”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

לִנְגֹּֽף׃24 of 24

“to smite”

H5062

to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 12:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 12:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 7:3Revelation 9:4Exodus 12:12-13Hebrews 11:281 Corinthians 10:10Isaiah 37:36

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Exodus 12 →

Test Your Knowledge

Exodus 12 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterExodus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Exodus 12 with CommentaryAll Exodus ChaptersComplete Exodus QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes