Exodus 12:38 - A mixed multitude went up also with them, with flocks, herds, and even very much livestock.
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What does "Exodus 12:38" mean?
This verse, Exodus 12:38, is referring to the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. Let's break down what it means:
"A mixed multitude went up also with them": This is the key part. This "mixed multitude" refers to a group of people not of Israelite descent who chose to leave Egypt alongside the Israelites. These people likely:
Were Egyptians who had intermarried with Israelites or had some other connection to them.
Were other enslaved or oppressed people in Egypt who saw an opportunity for freedom with the Israelites.
Were individuals who, for whatever reason, believed in the God of the Israelites and wanted to join their journey.
Were simply opportunists hoping for a better life, even if they didn't necessarily share the Israelites' beliefs.
"with flocks, herds, and even very much livestock": This indicates that both the Israelites and the mixed multitude were taking their animals with them. This was essential for their survival in the wilderness, providing food, clothing (wool), and potential trade goods. The phrase "very much livestock" emphasizes the scale of this exodus.
In Summary:
Exodus 12:38 highlights that the Exodus was not solely an event for the Israelites. A diverse group of other people, seeing an opportunity for freedom or believing in the God of Israel, joined them, bringing their animals and possessions.
Significance:
Inclusiveness: This verse suggests a degree of inclusiveness in the early Israelite community. It shows that they weren't completely closed off to outsiders.
Challenges: The presence of the "mixed multitude" also presented challenges. These people may have held different beliefs, customs, and values, which could lead to internal conflict and temptations to stray from God's commandments. (This is borne out in later passages, like Numbers 11, where the "mixed multitude" are blamed for instigating the Israelites' complaints.)
Historical Reality: The "mixed multitude" might reflect the historical reality of the formation of the Israelite people, suggesting that they were not a purely homogeneous group from the beginning but rather a coalition of different peoples united by faith and circumstance.
God's Concern: Some scholars interpret the "mixed multitude" as a reminder that God's concern extends beyond a single ethnic group. The Exodus was a liberation for all who sought freedom from oppression.
The verse is brief but loaded with meaning, hinting at the complexities of the Exodus and the diverse group of people involved in this pivotal event in Israelite history.
Exodus 12:38 - A mixed multitude went up also with them, with flocks, herds, and even very much livestock.
What does "Exodus 12:38" mean?
This verse, Exodus 12:38, is referring to the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. Let's break down what it means:
"A mixed multitude went up also with them": This is the key part. This "mixed multitude" refers to a group of people not of Israelite descent who chose to leave Egypt alongside the Israelites. These people likely:
Were Egyptians who had intermarried with Israelites or had some other connection to them.
Were other enslaved or oppressed people in Egypt who saw an opportunity for freedom with the Israelites.
Were individuals who, for whatever reason, believed in the God of the Israelites and wanted to join their journey.
Were simply opportunists hoping for a better life, even if they didn't necessarily share the Israelites' beliefs.
"with flocks, herds, and even very much livestock": This indicates that both the Israelites and the mixed multitude were taking their animals with them. This was essential for their survival in the wilderness, providing food, clothing (wool), and potential trade goods. The phrase "very much livestock" emphasizes the scale of this exodus.
In Summary:
Exodus 12:38 highlights that the Exodus was not solely an event for the Israelites. A diverse group of other people, seeing an opportunity for freedom or believing in the God of Israel, joined them, bringing their animals and possessions.
Significance:
Inclusiveness: This verse suggests a degree of inclusiveness in the early Israelite community. It shows that they weren't completely closed off to outsiders.
Challenges: The presence of the "mixed multitude" also presented challenges. These people may have held different beliefs, customs, and values, which could lead to internal conflict and temptations to stray from God's commandments. (This is borne out in later passages, like Numbers 11, where the "mixed multitude" are blamed for instigating the Israelites' complaints.)
Historical Reality: The "mixed multitude" might reflect the historical reality of the formation of the Israelite people, suggesting that they were not a purely homogeneous group from the beginning but rather a coalition of different peoples united by faith and circumstance.
God's Concern: Some scholars interpret the "mixed multitude" as a reminder that God's concern extends beyond a single ethnic group. The Exodus was a liberation for all who sought freedom from oppression.
The verse is brief but loaded with meaning, hinting at the complexities of the Exodus and the diverse group of people involved in this pivotal event in Israelite history.