Exo 13:15 | NETfull | STEP | When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to release us, the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of people to the firstborn of animals. That is why I am sacrificing to the Lord the first male offspring of every womb, but all my firstborn sons I redeem.’

Exodus 13:15

15 When Pharaoh stubbornly refused ^{▼▼ Heb “dealt hardly in letting us go” or “made it hard to let us go” (see S. R. Driver, Exodus, 110). The verb is the simple Hiphil perfect הִקְשָׁה (hiqshah, “he made hard”); the infinitive construct לְשַׁלְּחֵנוּ (l^eshall^ekhenu, “to release us”) could be taken epexegetically, meaning “he made releasing us hard.” But the infinitive more likely gives the purpose or the result after the verb “hardened himself.” The verb is figurative for “be stubborn” or “stubbornly refuse.”} to release us, the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of people to the firstborn of animals. ^{▼▼ The text uses “man” and “beast.”} That is why I am sacrificing ^{▼▼ The form is the active participle.} to the Lord the first male offspring of every womb, but all my firstborn sons I redeem.’