Bible Strands
Exodus 12:31
Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Pharaoh addresses Moses and Aaron during the night immediately following the death of Egypt's firstborn. He commands both men and the Israelite population to depart from among his people.
The words — The verb וַיִּקְרָא (va/i.yik.Ra') means "and he summoned," marking Pharaoh's sudden shift to initiative. The imperative קֻמוּ (Ku.mu) translates literally as "arise" or "get up," emphasizing the abrupt nature of the decree.
The thread — This event fulfills the earlier warning that a mighty hand would compel Pharaoh to release Israel (Exodus 3:19) and realizes the promise that God would now demonstrate His power to him (Exodus 6:1). The narrative pattern of Pharaoh summoning Moses and Aaron to negotiate plague removal also parallels Exodus 8:8.
Why it lands — The text records a forced concession where royal authority yields to divine judgment. It requires the reader to acknowledge that the demand to worship the LORD is met only when human resistance is exhausted.
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 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.
Cross-references
- Exodus 6:1 But the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh, for because of My mighty hand he will let the people go; because of My strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”
- Exodus 3:19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not allow you to go unless a mighty hand compels him.
- Exodus 8:8 Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to the LORD to take the frogs away from me and my people. Then I will let your people go, that they may sacrifice to the LORD.”
- Exodus 10:9 “We will go with our young and old,” Moses replied. “We will go with our sons and daughters, and with our flocks and herds, for we must hold a feast to the LORD.”
- Psalms 105:38 Egypt was glad when they departed, for the dread of Israel had fallen on them.
- Exodus 10:29 “As you say,” Moses replied, “I will never see your face again.”
- Exodus 11:8 And all these officials of yours will come and bow before me, saying, ‘Go, you and all the people who follow you!’ After that, I will depart.” And hot with anger, Moses left Pharaoh’s presence.