Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 12:23
For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite [you].
23. pass over ] The verb is cognate with psa. See on v. 13.
the destroyer ] The destroying angel: cf. esp. 2Sa 24:16; also Isa 37:36. LXX. : cf. Heb 11:28; and (with allusion to Num 16:46-50) Wis 18:25 , 1Co 10:10 ( ).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Will not suffer, Heb. not give him license or commission.
The destroyer, i.e. the destroying angel, which whether it were a good or bad angel is not agreed, nor is it necessary to determine.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
21-25. Then Moses called for all theelders of Israel, &c.Here are given special directions forthe observance.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For the Lord will pass though to smite the Egyptians,…. All the firstborn in the several families, in all the towns and cities in Egypt:
and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and upon the two side posts; which must be understood of his taking notice of it with a special view to the good of those within the house; otherwise every thing is seen by his all seeing eye: and thus Christ, the Lamb of God, is in the midst of the throne, as though he had been slain, and is always in the view of God and his divine justice; and his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, are always looked unto by him with pleasure, delight, and satisfaction, to the advantage of his people, as applied unto them, who are hereby accepted with him, justified in his sight, and secure from condemnation and wrath:
the Lord will pass over the door; and the house where this blood is sprinkled, and go to the next, or where Egyptians dwell; and thus justice passes over, and passes by, acquits and discharges them who are interested in the blood and sacrifice of Christ:
and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you; the destroying angel, as the Targum of Jonathan; for he seems to be distinct from the Lord, who is said to pass through and pass over, being an attendant and minister of his, to execute vengeance upon the Egyptians; and whether a good or a bad angel, it matters not, since God can make use of either to inflict judgments on men; but it may be more probably the former, even such an one as was employed in destroying the whole host of the Assyrians in one night, 2Ki 19:35 and answers better in the antitype or emblem to the justice of God taking vengeance on ungodly sinners, when it is not suffered to do the saints any harm.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
23. For the Lord will pass through. He forbids them to go out during the night, lest they should mix themselves with the Egyptians, but commands them to keep quietly under the protection of the blood. By this sign they were admonished that they also were exposed to destruction, if they did not separate themselves from the unbelievers under the safeguard of the blood. Afterwards the promise: is added, that, provided this were done, the angel would pass them over, and inflict no injury upon them, because God would acknowledge the houses so marked as His own. Wherefore, it is again repeated, that they should alone be safe by the blessing of the blood, who should not neglect to sprinkle themselves with it; because faith alone confers upon us the salvation which is obtained by the slaughter of the victim. The angel, whom God had delegated for afflicting Egypt, is here undoubtedly called “the destroyer;” and, although He often executes His judgments by evil angels, it is to be gathered from other passages that this was one of the elect angels, who also was the minister of the people’s deliverance under Christ as the Head.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(23) The destroyer.The plague of Exo. 12:13 is here called the destroyer ( , LXX.), as again in Heb. 12:28. Jehovah seems to have employed an angel, or angels (Ps. 79:48) as His agents to effect the actual slaying of the firstborn. (Comp. 2Sa. 24:16; 1Ch. 21:15; 2Ki. 19:35.) There is no struggle or opposition (as Bishop Lowth and Redslob think) between Jehovah and the destroyer, who is simply His minister (Heb. 1:14), bidden to enter some houses and to pass over others.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Observe the cause of safety, the blood upon the lintel: not in bolts, nor bars, nor strength within; but the blood without. What a precious consideration to the true believer, on whose heart the blood of Jesus is sprinkled. See that sweet scripture, Tit 3:4-6 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite [you].
Ver. 23. Will not suffer the destroyer. ] Angels delight to be executioners of God’s judgments, and saviours of his people.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
will pass through: Exo 12:12, Exo 12:13
and will not: 2Sa 24:16, Isa 37:36, Eze 9:4, Eze 9:6, 1Co 10:10, Heb 11:28, Heb 12:24, Rev 7:3, Rev 9:4
Reciprocal: Exo 11:4 – About Exo 12:7 – General Exo 12:27 – It is the sacrifice Lev 5:9 – sprinkle Jos 2:19 – whosoever 1Ch 21:12 – the angel Job 33:22 – his life Isa 26:20 – enter Eze 9:1 – Cause Amo 5:17 – I will Act 12:23 – the angel
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Exo 12:23. The destroyer The destroying angel: whether this was a good or an evil angel, we have not light to determine.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the {l} destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite [you].
(l) The angel sent by God to kill the first born.