God’s judgment on Egypt’s firstborn demonstrates both His justice and His faithfulness to His people.
The psalmist recounts the power of God against Egypt when he writes, He also struck down all the firstborn in their land, The first fruits of all their vigor (v.36). This verse refers to the climactic plague in which the firstborn of Egypt were taken, a pivotal moment that led Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. Historically, this event occurred around 1446 BC, during the period of the Exodus. Egypt was a prominent political and cultural power centered around the Nile River in the northeastern corner of Africa, and Pharaoh was regarded as both a king and a living deity. Through this act, God demonstrated His sovereign control not only over Egyptian deities but also over the might of Pharaoh’s house.
When the scripture describes those who were struck down as the “first fruits of all their vigor,” it highlights the devastating loss for Egypt. Firstborn children in that era were especially significant, often representing the future leadership and inheritance within a family. The deliberate manner in which God carried out this judgment not only displayed His justice but also underscored His meticulous fulfillment of promises. God had warned the Egyptians repeatedly, yet Pharaoh hardened his heart, emphasizing the theme that persistent defiance of God’s will can result in severe consequences (Exodus 11:4-7).
In a broader biblical context, this verse connects with the concept of deliverance and redemption that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ (Matthew 2:15). Just as God rescued His people from the land of Egypt, so does Christ free humanity from the bondage of sin. The parallel of the Passover lamb in Exodus 12, which followed immediately after this plague, foreshadows Jesus as the Lamb of God, whose sacrificial atonement grants believers new life and freedom from spiritual death (John 1:29).
Set to dark mode
Psalms 105:36 meaning
The psalmist recounts the power of God against Egypt when he writes, He also struck down all the firstborn in their land, The first fruits of all their vigor (v.36). This verse refers to the climactic plague in which the firstborn of Egypt were taken, a pivotal moment that led Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. Historically, this event occurred around 1446 BC, during the period of the Exodus. Egypt was a prominent political and cultural power centered around the Nile River in the northeastern corner of Africa, and Pharaoh was regarded as both a king and a living deity. Through this act, God demonstrated His sovereign control not only over Egyptian deities but also over the might of Pharaoh’s house.
When the scripture describes those who were struck down as the “first fruits of all their vigor,” it highlights the devastating loss for Egypt. Firstborn children in that era were especially significant, often representing the future leadership and inheritance within a family. The deliberate manner in which God carried out this judgment not only displayed His justice but also underscored His meticulous fulfillment of promises. God had warned the Egyptians repeatedly, yet Pharaoh hardened his heart, emphasizing the theme that persistent defiance of God’s will can result in severe consequences (Exodus 11:4-7).
In a broader biblical context, this verse connects with the concept of deliverance and redemption that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ (Matthew 2:15). Just as God rescued His people from the land of Egypt, so does Christ free humanity from the bondage of sin. The parallel of the Passover lamb in Exodus 12, which followed immediately after this plague, foreshadows Jesus as the Lamb of God, whose sacrificial atonement grants believers new life and freedom from spiritual death (John 1:29).