King James Version

What Does Exodus 12:41 Mean?

Exodus 12:41 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.

Exodus 12:41 · KJV


Context

39

And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.

40

Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.

41

And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.

42

It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations. a night: Heb. a night of observations

43

And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The repetition 'after 430 years...the selfsame day' (twice) emphasizes the significance of exact timing. The phrase 'all the hosts of the LORD went out' presents Israel as organized military divisions (tzva'ot YHWH, צִבְאוֹת יְהוָה). They exit not as refugees but as God's army on a divinely scheduled campaign. This military language anticipates Canaan's conquest.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The term 'hosts' establishes Israel's identity as YHWH's military force. This conception continues throughout Scripture, with YHWH often called 'LORD of hosts' (YHWH Tzva'ot).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does viewing yourself as part of God's 'hosts' affect your understanding of spiritual warfare and your role in it?
  2. What does God's precise timing in mobilizing His army teach about divine strategy versus human timing?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיְהִ֗י1 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מִקֵּץ֙2 of 17

And it came to pass at the end

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים3 of 17

and thirty

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

שָׁנָ֑ה4 of 17

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

וְאַרְבַּ֥ע5 of 17

of the four

H702

four

מֵא֖וֹת6 of 17

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

שָׁנָ֑ה7 of 17

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

וַיְהִ֗י8 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְּעֶ֙צֶם֙9 of 17

even the selfsame

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

הַיּ֣וֹם10 of 17

day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּ֔ה11 of 17
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

יָֽצְא֛וּ12 of 17

went out

H3318

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

כָּל13 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צִבְא֥וֹת14 of 17

it came to pass that all the hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

יְהוָ֖ה15 of 17

of the LORD

H3068

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

מֵאֶ֥רֶץ16 of 17

from the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃17 of 17

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt


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 12:41 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 12:41 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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