Exodus 12:33-42 - The Lord had given them favour in the sight of the Egyptians

12:33-36

The Egyptians were desperate to see the back of the Israelites, fearing that the death may spread to all of them. So the Hebrews leave. They had done as Moses told them with regard to silver and gold. So they plundered the Egyptians. This obeying the Lord was sadly to be a rare occurrence on the part of the Israelites.

12:37-39

So they journeyed from Rameses to Succoth. The number is given as being about six hundred thousand men, so the total would be approximately two million. Doubt is cast upon this number. People always cast doubt on the numbers in the Bible, though the figure is repeated in Num 11:21. However, there is a suggestion that the number for “thousand” can also mean “clan”.

12:40-42

They had spent about 430 years in the land of Egypt. Again, there are questions about this. Some take it as actually 430 years, others as 215 years, taking the 430 to cover the time of the patriarchs as well. We will stick with 430. The Lord was watching over the people on that night, seeing them safely out of Egypt. The Lord watches over us, this is a fundamental fact that we need to appreciate. The Passover is unique in being a festival celebrated at night.