Ex 12:37-42

[clark thompson]

Exodus 12:37-42King James Version (KJV)
37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.
38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.
40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.
41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.
42 It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.
Exodus 12:37-42Revised Standard Version (RSV)
37 And the people of Israel journeyed from Ram′eses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. 38 A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very many cattle, both flocks and herds. 39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt, for it was not leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any provisions.
40 The time that the people of Israel dwelt in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. 41 And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, on that very day, all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It was a night of watching by the LORD, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; so this same night is a night of watching kept to the LORD by all the people of Israel throughout their generations.
Revised Standard Version (RSV) Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

These are my thoughts, please share yours.

37 This just the grown men the numbers of people would have been three or four times this due to having large families in them days could have been five times that but would have been over a million people most likely leaving one place at the same time, after Egypt having God's wrath fall on them this would have completely destroyed them because they no longer had their laborers to rebuilt and replant.

38 They went into Egypt with very little and became slaves but now they left with things that they should have earned by their hard work. These other people may have gave up on Pharaoh and decided not to just leave Egypt but to follow God where ever He lead as the Israelites were doing.

39 Bread without yeast would become very important within Jewish culture and would be eaten at certain times of the year. They had to leave in a hurry, but they had been there over 400 years. These people did not know what is was like to live in Canaan, they may have heard stories but by now the stories may have faded away, most of these men would never see Canaan.

40 This was a part of God's promise given to Abraham saying that they would dwell in a land that was not theirs. It was time for them to bring God's judgment on those living in Canaan so they could take their promised land.