Bible Strands
Psalms 135:8
He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, of both man and beast.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses a worshiping assembly, recounting God’s past military action immediately after describing His control over weather and just before detailing the plagues sent against Pharaoh.
The words — The Hebrew verb הִכָּה (hi.kah) means “struck down,” and בְּכוֹרֵי (be.kho.rei) denotes “firstborns,” together specifying the exact target and nature of the judgment.
The thread — This event is recorded in Exodus 12:12 as a divine decree, reiterated in Psalms 78:51 and Psalms 105:36 as a defining act of deliverance.
Why it lands — The text states a historical execution of judgment on Egypt’s leadership and livestock to establish God’s authority before the narrative introduces further signs against Pharaoh, requiring the reader to acknowledge His sovereign power over life and nations.
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
Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
Cross-references
- Psalms 78:51 He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham.
- Exodus 12:12 On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn male, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.
- Psalms 105:36 Then He struck all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigor.
- Exodus 13:15 And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’
- Psalms 136:10 He struck down the firstborn of Egypt His loving devotion endures forever.
- Exodus 12:29 Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock.