Bible Strands
Exodus 11:6
Then a great cry will go out over all the land of Egypt. Such an outcry has never been heard before and will never be heard again.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Moses delivers this declaration to Pharaoh as a forward-looking warning before the tenth plague occurs. The statement functions as a prophetic forecast rather than a retrospective account of the event.
The words — The phrase צְעָקָה גְדֹלָה (tze.'a.Kah ge.do.Lah) literally translates to "a great cry." It denotes an unprecedented auditory event that will sweep across the entire land of Egypt.
The thread — The motif of national wailing appears in Exodus 12:30 when the plague executes, echoes in Amos 5:17 as a warning of impending judgment, and recalls Exodus 3:7 where God previously heard Israel’s cries.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of a historical warning rather than a retrospective report. Readers must acknowledge that the prophecy establishes the certainty and uniqueness of the coming judgment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.
Cross-references
- Exodus 12:30 During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead.
- Amos 5:17 There will be wailing in all the vineyards, for I will pass through your midst,” says the LORD.
- Exodus 3:7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings.
- Proverbs 21:13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
- Isaiah 15:4 Heshbon and Elealeh cry out; their voices are heard as far as Jahaz. Therefore the soldiers of Moab cry out; their souls tremble within.
- Isaiah 15:8 For their outcry echoes to the border of Moab. Their wailing reaches Eglaim; it is heard in Beer-elim.
- Jeremiah 31:15 This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
- Lamentations 3:8 Even when I cry out and plead for help, He shuts out my prayer.
- Zephaniah 1:10 On that day,” declares the LORD, “a cry will go up from the Fish Gate, a wail from the Second District, and a loud crashing from the hills.
- Luke 13:28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out.