King James Version

What Does Exodus 12:31 Mean?

Exodus 12:31 in the King James Version says “And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the c...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.”

Exodus 12:31 · KJV

Context

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. dungeon: Heb. house of the pit

30

And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

31

And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.

32

Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.

33

And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.

Read Exodus 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Pharaoh's night summons to Moses and Aaron shows desperation—the proud ruler who repeatedly refused now capitulates. His words 'Rise up, and get you forth from among my people' grant exactly what Moses repeatedly requested. Including 'both ye and the children of Israel' acknowledges the whole nation. The permission to 'serve the LORD' and take their flocks represents complete surrender of Egypt's prior demands.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This capitulation reverses Pharaoh's earlier refusals (Exodus 5:2, 10:28-29). What diplomacy and plagues 1-9 couldn't accomplish, the tenth plague achieved in one night.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Pharaoh's sudden surrender illustrate that God's timing, though sometimes delayed, is always perfect?
  2. What hardened resistance in your life has finally broken under the weight of God's persistent working?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיִּקְרָא֩1 of 19

“And he called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לְמֹשֶׁ֨ה2 of 19

“for Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וּֽלְאַהֲרֹ֜ן3 of 19

“and Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

לַ֗יְלָה4 of 19

“by night”

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙5 of 19

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ק֤וּמוּ6 of 19

“Rise up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

צְּאוּ֙7 of 19

“and get you forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִתּ֣וֹךְ8 of 19

“from among”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

עַמִּ֔י9 of 19

“my people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

גַּם10 of 19
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אַתֶּ֖ם11 of 19
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

גַּם12 of 19
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

בְּנֵ֣י13 of 19

“both ye and the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל14 of 19

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וּלְכ֛וּ15 of 19
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עִבְד֥וּ16 of 19

“serve”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֶת17 of 19
H853

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

יְהוָ֖ה18 of 19

“the LORD”

H3068

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

כְּדַבֶּרְכֶֽם׃19 of 19

“as ye have said”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

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 12:31 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 12:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 6:1Exodus 8:8Exodus 3:19-20Exodus 10:9Psalms 105:38Exodus 11:8

Test Your Knowledge

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

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