Divine Justice Revealed: Understanding the Plague of the Firstborn

The plague of the firstborn was carried out measure for measure: The Egyptians had thrown Jewish infants into the Nile, and therefore the Egyptian children died in the plague of the firstborn.

Performed Directly by God

The firstborn of Egypt were killed directly by God Himself — not by an angel, not by a seraph, and not through any messenger. God, in His glory, executed the plague personally.

Male and Female, Human and Animal

Every Egyptian firstborn died, both male and female. It made no difference whether the child was a firstborn of the father or of the mother. Likewise, the firstborn of the animals also perished.

The Death Was Not Instantaneous

According to the Ha'amek Davar (on Shemot 11:6), the firstborn did not die instantly. Instead, they suffered agonizing pain, their tortured bodies writhing in unbearable torment until their deaths.

A Civil War Among the Egyptians

When the firstborn heard about the impending plague, they demanded that their fathers release the Israelites from slavery. When their fathers refused, the firstborn rose up and fought against them — killing 600,000 Egyptians. This is hinted at in Tehillim:
"He struck Egypt through their firstborn" — meaning, the firstborn themselves carried out the blow.

Pharaoh’s Desperate Search for Moshe

Despite Pharaoh’s threat to Moshe after the plague of darkness — “On the day you see my face, you will die”, on the night of the plague of the firstborn, Pharaoh was jolted awake by the cries of anguish echoing through Egypt. He ran through the streets shouting: “Moshe and Aaron — where are you?!”
(Rashi on Shemot 12:31)

The Idols of Egypt Melted

Alongside the death of the firstborn, the stone and metal idols of Egypt melted and dissolved (Mechilta, Bo 12).

Two Firstborn Survived

Not all the Egyptian firstborn died. Two alone survived:

1. Pharaoh, king of Egypt

2. His daughter Batya, who saved Moshe from the Nile